Microwave Journal
www.microwavejournal.com/articles/9849-rohde-schwarz-rf-diagnostic-chamber-aids-wireless-device-testing

Rohde & Schwarz RF Diagnostic Chamber Aids Wireless Device Testing

August 2, 2010

The compact R&S DST200 RF diagnostic chamber makes it easy for developers of wireless devices such as mobile phones to perform reproducible radiated RF measurements on the workbench. The benchtop chamber simulates conditions that approximate free space and features a 700 MHz to 6 GHz broadband test antenna especially designed for the chamber. Users can measure self-interference or radiated emissions, perform coexistence tests and verify the antenna radiation pattern during development. As a result, designers do not have to wait for test times to become available in large EMC test chambers.

Today's smart phones integrate complex technologies into the smallest possible space. Unfortunately, this spatial proximity can lead to self-interference. The new R&S DST200 RF diagnostic chamber allows developers of smart phones to test and optimize their designs early in the development phase to reduce self-interference to the optimal levels.

Due to the RF diagnostic chamber's compact size of 770 by 760 by 695 mm, it can be placed on the workbench in the lab. This means that the developer can test new devices repeatedly in the design phase with minimal effort, with only the final certification measurement having to be performed in a large test chamber, where it is highly likely that the device will achieve a first-time pass. The compact R&S DST200 RF diagnostic chamber enables an R&D department to operate more flexibly and use test tools and test environments more efficiently than ever before.

The R&S DST200 has a circularly polarized, 700 MHz to 6 GHz test antenna at the top of the actual test chamber. The high field uniformity that the chamber produces throughout the equipment under test's entire volume ensures good reproducibility of results. Results remain stable even if the EUT is slightly shifted.

The shielding effectiveness of the chamber exceeds 110 dB, allowing sensitivity tests on GPS receivers with input levels of below –160 dBm. The optional 3D positioner allows the user to move the EUT to any defined position relative to the test antenna and fix it in place with a turn of the wrist. It features two axes of rotation with angular scaling. Another feature of the R&S DST200 is the inclusion of shielded compartments above and below the test chamber, which provide space for additional hardware such as preamplifiers, RF filters or RF feedthroughs.