Date: 26/07/2010

RF diagnostic chamber from Rohde & Schwarz simulates free space

Rohde & Schwarz have released the R&S DST200 RF diagnostic chamber 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 designed for the chamber. Users can measure self-interference (desense) 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.

The R&S DST200 RF diagnostic chamber allows developers of smart phones to test and optimize their designs in the development phase itself. This RF diagnostic chamber has a compact size of 770 mm x 760 mm x 695 mm (W x H x D) and can be placed on the workbench in the lab. Since the developer can test new devices repeatedly in the design phase with minimal effort, the progress of the project no longer depends on the assigned test times in large EMC test chambers. Only the final certification measurement must be performed in a large test chamber, where it is highly likely that the device will achieve a first-time pass.

The R&S DST200 results remain stable even if the EUT is slightly shifted. If conventional shielded chambers that depend on antennas couplers were used instead, results would change significantly. The shielding effectiveness of the chamber exceeds 110 dB, allowing sensitivity tests on GPS receivers with input levels of below -160 dBm. Rohde & Schwarz developed a new locking mechanism for the door to enhance shielding properties.

In addition, a 3D positioner is optionally available. It 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. The 3D positioner features two axes of rotation with angular scaling. Due to its open structure, the EUT's keypad, for example, is directly accessible.

The R&S DST200 also includes shielded compartments above and below the test chamber. They provide space for additional hardware such as preamplifiers, RF filters or RF feedthroughs.

Availability: Now