RF diagnostic chamber

Test & Measurement

18 August 2010 Test & Measurement

Rohde & Schwarz’s compact DST200 RF diagnostic chamber makes it possible for developers of wireless devices 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 (desense) or radiated emissions, perform coexistence tests and verify the antenna radiation pattern during development.

Due to the chamber’s compact size of 770 x 760 x 695 mm (W x H x D), it can be placed on the workbench in the lab. It has a circularly polarised, 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 (EUT) entire volume ensures reproducibility of results. Results remain stable even if the EUT is slightly shifted, as opposed to conventional shielded chambers that depend on antenna couplers, where results can change significantly. The shielding effectiveness of the chamber exceeds 110 dB, allowing sensitivity tests on GPS receivers with input levels of below –160 dBm. To achieve these shielding properties, Rohde & Schwarz developed a new locking mechanism for the door. This mechanism, for which a patent is pending, achieves high shielding effectiveness with low locking forces and also protects the RF gaskets.

An optional 3D positioner is available which 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 positioner features two axes of rotation with angular scaling. Due to its open structure, the EUT’s keypad, for example, is directly accessible. Another special feature of the DST200 is the inclusion of shielded compartments above and below the test chamber. They provide space for additional hardware such as preamplifiers, RF filters or RF feed-throughs. Users can adjust the test setup to their individual requirements without impairing the field uniformity of the chamber.

For more information contact Trevor Grundlingh, Protea Electronics, +27 (0)11 719 5700, [email protected], www.protea.co.za

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