Probe Subset Selection in 3D Multiprobe OTA Setup

Xiaoli Yang, Ping Zhang, Jianqiao Chen, Nan Ma, Baoling Liu

Abstract: Over-the-air (OTA) radiated testing for multi-input multi-output (MIMO) capable mobile terminals has been actively discussed in the standardization in recent years, where multiprobe anechoic chamber (MPAC) method has been selected. Setting up a multiprobe configuration is costly, so finding ways to limit the number of probes will make the implementation of the test system simpler and cheaper. In this paper, two probe subset selection algorithms for three dimensional (3D) MPAC and fading emulator are proposed, namely, decremental selection algorithm (DSA) and error threshold selection algorithm based on alternating search (SAAS), where the goal is to minimize the number of probe antennas while ensuring the accuracy of the target channel emulation. Simulation results show that a small number of probe sets are selected under the given error threshold by the two algorithms, which greatly saves the cost of setup configuration. The performance of SAAS generally outperform that of DSA, especially when there are fewer probes selected.