❱❱ Holger Lindner (CEO, TÜV SÜD product service) and professor Dr Axel Stepken (chairman of the board, TÜV SÜD AG) open the new laboratory in Hampshire, above; the new test laboratory at TÜV SÜD provides expanded capabilities with real time test result recording and automated test processes, below; and Phil Evans, business development director for connectivity at TÜV SÜD, says the new facility delivers automated mass testing with significantly reduced test times, above inset
is already underway, with the following additions planned: n two 3m SAC emissions chambers; n ETS Lindgren AMS-8900 OTA measurement system; n two 5G NR FR1 Anritsu MT8000A; n two 3G/4G Anritsu MT 8821C; and n an AR multi-tone RF radiated immunity system 80MHz-6GHz (TÜV SÜD’s second system, the first being already available at the original Octagon House site). TÜV SÜD will become the only independent test lab in the UK to offer over- the-air (OTA) capabilities and one of a limited number of laboratories with 5G signalling units. During Phase 2, the addition of 5G Anritsu signalling units will also see TÜV SÜD enter the 5G module integration market. A new OTA chamber will also allow TÜV SÜD to perform antenna performance measurements in greater detail and at faster speeds. Measurements during tests will be able to
In cases where the customer’s equipment can be remotely commanded, this will offer the benefit of increasing the amount of testing that can be completed with minimal disturbance.
FURTHER IMPROVEMENTS PLANNED The new facility also offers the space and platform for further investments, which TÜV SÜD expects to be more than £8m over the next few years. Phase two planning
better simulate real world performance by encompassing hands or body parts that are in close proximity to the device antennas. This new capability will allow customers to better understand their antenna performance and tune their device to extend range and sensitivity, as well as increase battery life on portable units.
AUTOMATED MASS TESTING WITH AI A new artificial intelligence capability is also being developed to verify the WLAN/BT test results generated by the automated systems and reduce the occurrences of
human error. Phil Evans, Business Development
Director for Connectivity at TÜV SÜD, says: “Octagon Hub represents the next generation of automation for testing and sample control, and is a real game-changer for high-end products integrating WLAN/BT with multiple antennas, such as VR/AR headsets and routers. “Our new facilities have been specifically designed to deliver automated mass testing that reduces test times significantly. What would typically take two-to-three weeks is now down to as little as four-to-five days. This will allow manufacturers to minimise time to market for products that are bound by legal requirements, such as those mandated by the FCC in the USA, and for the European Union’s Radio Equipment Directive.
Another new advantage is that our EMX
software is designed to tune the output power for the customer to meet the output limit within regulatory standards across all frequency bands, modulations and bandwidths. This means it can cover every possible combination of output. As EMX does this automatically, it saves a massive amount of time and allows customers to fine-tune multiple times. This is particularly relevant if any hardware changes have been made, such as antenna changes, etc. For example, our customers might want to tune output power on each MIMO antenna to increase range and receiver sensitivity and achieve the best possible product performance.” T&TH
October 2022 /// Testing & Test Houses /// 31
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