Full-vehicle antenna testing

Custom solutions for vehicle antenna testing and verification

Modern vehicles feature a multitude of antennas for different technologies. Placed at various locations inside and outside the vehicle, these high-performance antennas enable connectivity for features such as satellite navigation (GNSS), Wi-Fi, UWB (RKE) and cellular services (eg C-V2X) among many others.

All of these high-performance antennas require full-vehicle antenna testing, not only to ensure their proper positioning, reduce wiring and save costs, but also to ensure optimal radiation patterns and reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI).

Rohde & Schwarz offers customized full vehicle antenna test systems and services that meet even the most demanding applications and are relied upon by vehicle manufacturers around the world.
If you have any questions, please contact us.

Your testing challenges

Component suppliers and vehicle manufacturers require detailed testing of integrated antennas to ensure optimal radiation patters and safe and reliable operation of all a vehicle’s wireless technologies. This is particularly demanding because the shape and material of a vehicle influences the performance of antennas.

The antenna performance needs to be verified in a controlled RF environment, such as an indoor EMC test chamber that provides over-the-air (OTA), full-vehicle and real-world scenario testing.

Leading-edge full vehicle antenna testing solutions

Rohde & Schwarz offers customized high-performance anechoic EMC test chamber solutions for performing high-precision, reproducible full-vehicle antenna testing, providing full 3D characterization of the vehicle’s radiation pattern.

The turnkey system comprises turn table, vehicle lift and a single-probe moving antenna arm with two-axis positioner, passive and active antenna measurements, with all the accompanying software solutions for the automatic control, measurement sequencing and reporting.

As a world leader in EMC and over the air (OTA) testing, Rohde & Schwarz FVAT solutions are able to adapt to any unique challenges and possible applications.

Benefits of Rohde & Schwarz FVAT solutions:

One-stop shop offering turn-key solutions tailored to your needs, including the system design, setup, training and calibration by regional specialist service centers
Reliable and fast measurements by optimized use of leading-edge Rohde & Schwarz test products and software
Future-proof solution by the EMC and OTA testing market leader for the earliest possible integration of new wireless standards

"Modern vehicles require a large number of high-performance antennas and integrated antenna modules to handle all the modern broadcast and infotainment services as well as car communication and control. Rohde & Schwarz offers the leading-edge, turn-key solutions for testing and verifying these antennas as an integral part of the vehicle."

Benoît Derat, Senior Director of Development for EMC, OTA and Antenna Test Systems at Rohde & Schwarz

Related resources for Full-vehicle antenna testing

Webinar: Optimize electric drivetrain efficiency using power analyzers and oscilloscopes

Join our webinar to get an insight into characterizing electric drivetrain power efficiency, debugging losses and inefficiencies of components and the advantages of oscilloscopes and power analyzers.

More information

Animated video: How Full-Vehicle OTA Antenna Testing ensures infotainment Quality of Service

Explainer video: How Full-Vehicle OTA Antenna Testing ensures infotainment Quality of Service

Infotainment Quality of Service is a competitive differentiator for vehicle manufacturers. However, the delivery of digital services to vehicles relies on robust wireless connectivity, and a critical element in the communication chain are the vehicle antennas.

Watch this video to how learn OTA testing in a controlled environment can verify the antenna performance and ensure infotainment Quality of Service.

More information

Webinar: Full vehicle OTA antenna testing

In this webinar, Dr Benoit Derat, Senior Director of Engineering at R&S, demystifies the topic of "Full vehicle OTA antenna testing" and explains why this technique is essential to ensure reliable automotive connectivity. You will be able to discover the specific requirements of OTA measurements and see some practical examples of test systems.

Join us in this webinar to learn about full vehicle OTA antenna testing with test systems from Rohde & Schwarz.

More information

Flyer: Full Vehicle OTA Antenna Test System

This flyer provides an introduction to the topic of Full Vehicle Antenna Testing, lists the test challenges and describes the capabilities of complete customized test systems from Rohde & Schwarz.

Download flyer

Application video: Full vehicle antenna testing

Get an overview of the topic of OTA Full Vehicle Antenna Testing in this short video and discover how test system design can deliver accurate characterization of an entire vehicle's antennas.

More information

Poster: Design with EMI in mind. Test early. Test often

Solving EMI problems early in the design cycle is more cost-effective than solving them later. This is an iterative process of employing best practices and checking. Of course, it is a trade-off – and needs to be balanced against functionality and scheduling. But solving problems and verifying early helps reduce costs. This poster helps you to design with EMI in mind.

More information

Free poster: automotive radio frequencies

Managing the coexistence and interference of the various radio frequencies in an (electric) car is a major challenge for research, development and testing. Get a concise overview of the overlapping radio frequency bands and regulations in today's and tomorrow's cars.

More information

White paper: Demystify over-the-air (OTA) testing

Future technologies and standards will make over-the-air (OTA) testing mandatory. At the same time, integrated antennas are becoming more common with each development cycle such as for low-cost IoT devices and 5G mmWave devices.

More information