In today's automotive industry, reliable wireless communication is crucial for the overall performance of vehicles. Ensuring high-quality antennas and wireless performance typically requires the use of advanced testing environments equipped with sophisticated and complex equipment. However, such facilities are often expensive and limited in quantity, which poses challenges for manufacturers and engineers to validate and optimize the system.
To address these challenges, RanLOS and Anritsu have provided an alternative solution that is more cost-effective than expensive advanced testing chambers, achieving measurement quality almost equivalent to precision testing facilities.

Design Challenge
A reliable testing concept can ensure the quality of wireless communication systems. Given the complexity of these systems (which integrate digital and analog subsystems as well as software), comprehensive testing is crucial. Simulating the real environment is crucial for measuring cellular or V2X communication, which typically occurs under far-field conditions of air interface OTA. The position of the antenna is influenced by the vehicle type and body material, which has a significant impact on overall performance.

Factors to Consider in Vehicle Antenna Design:
·The optimal position of the antenna on the vehicle body
·Support for multiple communication technologies and RF frequency bands
·Vehicle type (such as sedan or convertible)
·Vehicle body materials (such as glass, metal, or carbon fiber)

test process
This testing system can efficiently test and evaluate antenna radiation patterns and communication system throughput.

-Passive measurement
Passive measurement configuration is used to measure the radiation pattern of antennas, mainly focusing on antennas installed on vehicles. Anritsu's vector network analyzer serves as both a wireless signal source (Tx) and an analyzer (Rx). Combined with the RanLOS component, it can measure the radiation and reception characteristics of the antenna.

The measurement results are used to evaluate the performance of antenna design and its installation position on the vehicle. One key aspect is to identify 'blind spots', which are the areas where antenna radiation or reception is weakest.

-Active measurement
Active measurement configuration is used to measure the performance of the entire communication system consisting of antennas, RF cables, and communication units with modems. This test not only focuses on antenna systems, but also primarily evaluates communication units, modems, and software under air interface OTA conditions.

The downlink throughput is a key measurement indicator that indicates the communication quality in all directions relative to the vehicle. The MT8821C wireless communication analyzer or MT8000A wireless communication testing platform from Anli Company serves as a mobile network simulator. The vehicle's communication system is connected to the simulator, and the downlink throughput can be measured. A fundamental part is to identify potential 'blind spots' where communication with the vehicle may significantly weaken due to the design of the overall antenna and communication system.

Both passive and active measurements are fully automated, with RanLOS BeamLab software controlling Anritsu vector network analyzer, Anritsu wireless communication testing system, and turntable. Then, measurement visualization can help engineers understand the performance of antennas or communication systems, thereby further improving the connectivity performance of vehicles.
The main advantages of RanLOS+Anli testing system

Based on actual parameters
·Easy to use and move
·High cost-effectiveness
·Excellent measurement quality
·Unlike other solutions that measure under near-field conditions and mathematically convert the results, far-field condition measurements can be directly performed
·Designed for use in anechoic chambers, semi anechoic chambers, EMC chambers, and open measurement points
·Suitable for testing vehicles on a dynamometer
·Can supplement the existing EMC darkroom measurement capability
·Fully integrated Anritsu vector network analyzer and wireless communication testing platform

Wide frequency range up to 43.5 GHz
· High dynamic range up to 110 dB
· Directly usable test signal power at the SA and AUT
· Fast sweep speed of 250 µs/point
· Unique IF gain range mode
· Build plant planning
· Versatile antenna measurement applications
· Port distance up to 200 meters

Broad Technology Support: Covers 5G, 4G, 3G, 2G, Cat-M1/NB-IoT, and more

High Output Power: Easily compensates for signal propagation losses in radiated OTA conditions

MIMO Support: Supports up to 4x4 MIMO channel emulation

High Dynamic Range: Maintains connectivity under dynamic path loss conditions in OTA environments

Remote Control: Configurable for automated testing using GPIB or Ethernet

Flexible Parameter Settings: Supports RF parameter and simple protocol testing

Enhanced GUI: Next-generation Windows-based GUI for ease of use