Setup and verification of a multi-GNSS over-the-air wave field synthesis testbed

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the principle, hardware/software setup, calibration and verification measurement results of a wave field synthesis (WFS) over-the-air (OTA) testbed for global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). It represents a new approach that, in contrast to conventionally conducted and open-field tests, realistically emulates real world scenarios under controllable and repeatable conditions. This enables the realistic comparison of receivers and algorithms especially for multi/beamforming antenna receivers as well as for receivers with integrated antennas. Having outlined the architecture and hardware setup of the WFS OTA testbed together with the GNSS constellation simulator, we describe the current 2D setup and the upcoming 3D installation

Evaluation of array antenna systems for global navigation satellite system applications using wave‐field synthesis in an over‐the‐air laboratory

“…According to the satellite co‐elevation, each signal is emulated at its actual position relative to the receiver CRPA, compare Figs. 3 and 4 [6].…”

“…The signals are radiated by the OTA antennas, mounted on a 2D OTA ring, toward the CRPA DUT. At the DUT side, the signals are recorded using two‐phase coupled Flexiband RF data recorders with three channels each [6, 25]. The recorded DBB signals are processed in MATLAB by the explained signal processing algorithms, and evaluated by a software GPS receiver implementation of Fraunhofer IIS.…”

“…In this context, we proposed the over‐the‐air testing in a virtual electromagnetic environment (OTAinVEE) using wave‐field synthesis (WFS, [4–6]) at the facility for OTA research and testing (FORTE, [7]) as an alternative. OTAinVEE using WFS allows for accurate spatial emulation of a wireless propagation channel, arbitrary kinds of tests and propagation environments can be emulated.…”