Over-the-Air (OTA) Testing Services

Ensure your wireless devices perform reliably in real-world conditions with Element's comprehensive Over-the-Air (OTA) testing. Validate antenna performance, identify issues early, and meet global compliance standards efficiently from our strategically-located labs worldwide. Speed your wireless products to market faster and gain a competitive edge through our single-source expertise spanning OTA, EMC, SAR, and GMA testing.

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What is Over-the-Air (OTA) Testing at Element?

OTA testing measures how reliably wireless devices and their antennas perform by simulating environments that replicate live networks. It evaluates parameters like Total Radiated Power (TRP), Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS), Intermediate Channel Sensitivity, and other metrics to verify signal transmission and reception quality. At Element, we provide comprehensive OTA testing that ensures your wireless products meet carrier requirements and international standards before market release.

Element testing technician holding SAR head phantom for mobile phone radiation testing and certification

What Can Element Offer You For Over-the-Air (OTA) Testing Services?

Key tests offered

Your wireless products require verification across multiple performance parameters to ensure reliable operation. Element's comprehensive testing evaluates crucial metrics including Total Radiated Power (TRP), Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP), Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS), Intermediate Channel Sensitivity, and Effective Isotropic Sensitivity (EIS). For advanced devices, we provide specialized testing including MIMO Average Radiated SIR Sensitivity and antenna pattern measurements.

Total Radiated Power (TRP) and Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP)
Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS) and Effective Isotropic Sensitivity (EIS)
MIMO Average Radiated SIR Sensitivity (MARSS)
Total Radiated Multi-Antenna Sensitivity (TRMS)
5G FR2 conformance and acceptance testing
Coexistence and desensitization measurements
Passive antenna testing (gain, efficiency, directivity)
Antenna pattern measurement testing

Our OTA testing capabilities include:

Total Radiated Power (TRP)
Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP)
Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS)
Effective Isotropic Sensitivity (EIS)
MIMO Average Radiated SIR Sensitivity (MARSS)
Total Radiated Multi-Antenna Sensitivity (TRMS)
5G FR2 conformance and acceptance
Coexistence / Desensitization Measurements
Engineering & Custom testing solutions
Passive Antenna Testing (Gain, Efficiency, and Directivity)
Antenna Pattern Measurement Testing

Products we test

We test a comprehensive range of wireless-enabled products across multiple industries. Your smartphones, laptops, tablets, routers, IoT devices, and industrial or military wireless equipment all benefit from our extensive OTA testing capabilities. With expertise spanning consumer electronics to specialized industrial applications, we ensure your products meet performance standards regardless of complexity.

Consumer electronics (smartphones, laptops, tablets)
Networking equipment (routers, access points)
IoT devices and smart home products
Industrial wireless communication equipment
Military and defense wireless products

Technologies supported
Element’s OTA testing supports several cellular wireless technologies, including:

5G NR SA, 5G NR NSA
5G FR1, 5G FR2
LTE (Category M, NB, and 1+), LTE Carrier Aggregation
A-GNSS (A-GPS, A-GLONASS, A-GALILEO, L1+L5)
IEEE 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac
Bluetooth Classical
ZigBee (802.15.4), ISM, SRD, UHF RFID, MedRadio- MICS bands
Legacy 3G

Methods and solutions offered

Your products face diverse operating conditions, requiring testing that simulates real-world environments. We create customized testing programs aligned with your specific requirements, utilizing phantoms (physical models of different parts of the human body) to replicate human body interaction with devices. Our approach identifies performance issues early in development, optimizing antenna design and signal processing algorithms before market release, saving you valuable time and resources.

Simulated environments replicating real-world conditions
Phantoms designed to hold various OTA device forms
Customized testing programs for specific product requirements
Early issue identification during product development
Complete 3D passive and active measurements
Design and evaluation for antenna designers and system integrators

Single-source compliance partner
Beyond OTA testing, you gain access to our expertise in related services including Global Market Access (GMA), Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC), and Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) testing. This comprehensive capability makes Element your single source provider for all product compliance needs, streamlining your certification process and reducing coordination complexity. With our team's broad knowledge, you address multiple compliance requirements through one trusted partner.

Antenna Pattern Measurement test methods for OTA testing
We use Antenna Pattern Measurement methods for testing various types of antennas and receivers, and will work with you to create a customized testing program for your specific product requirements, for greater accuracy or faster turnaround times.

Cutting-edge equipment we use

Your wireless device testing demands precision equipment. Our state-of-the-art OTA test chambers cover frequencies from 400MHz to 7.125GHz, plus 28GHz and 38GHz mm-Wave bands. Our specialized antenna pattern measurement labs feature multi-antenna arrays with 23 dual-polarized measurement antennas, goniometers improving 3D resolution down to 1°, integrated laser alignment systems, and high-speed switch controllers for accelerated testing.

Advanced OTA test chambers (400MHz-7.125GHz, 28GHz, 38GHz)
Multi-antenna arrays with 23 dual-polarized measurement antennas
Goniometers providing 3D resolution down to 1°
Integrated laser alignment systems for precise DUT positioning
High-speed switch controllers for accelerated testing
Fully anechoic room (FAR) with minimized reflections

PTCRB and CTIA Certification
Our chambers and systems support cellular testing for both SISO and MIMO, following CTIA test plans for Mobile Station Over-the-Air (OTA) performance. This includes RF performance evaluation for Wi-Fi mobile converged devices, ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Which labs offer this service

Your testing needs don't stop at borders, which is why we maintain strategically positioned labs around the world. Our OTA testing facilities are conveniently located in the US (including Columbia MD, just outside the FCC certification and testing laboratory, and Brooklyn Park), UK, and South Korea, providing you with easily accessible testing services wherever your operations are based. This global presence enables seamless coordination with our other compliance services for complete product certification.

Standards we test to and products we test

These are our most prevalent requests. Don't see what you're looking for? Contact us!

CTIA Test Plan for Mobile Station Over-the-Air Performance
RF Performance Evaluation of Wi-Fi Mobile Converged Devices
PTCRB Certification Requirements

Your Challenges, Our Solutions

Real-world performance confidence delivered

Concerned about how your device will perform in diverse environments? Our OTA testing replicates real-world scenarios, ensuring your wireless products perform reliably in various conditions, giving you confidence in your device's performance before market release.

Early performance optimization achieved

Need to identify issues before production? Element's OTA testing helps detect and address performance issues early in the product development cycle, optimizing antenna design and signal processing algorithms when changes are less costly and more manageable.

Global compliance simplified

Struggling with multiple compliance requirements? With labs strategically located in the US, UK, and South Korea, we provide convenient access to OTA testing alongside our other compliance services, streamlining your path to global markets.

Budgetary constraints balanced with quality

Worried about the cost impact of compliance testing? Our early identification and resolution of potential performance issues through OTA testing mitigates the risk of costly recalls or warranty claims, offering you significant long-term savings.

Element Experts at your service

Steve Hayes

Technical Director - Connected Technologies

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Why Choose Element

Element test engineer setting up equipment in RF testing chamber

Test in All Scenarios

Element's OTA testing replicates real-world conditions, ensuring devices perform reliably across diverse environments for maximum confidence.

Early Issue Identification

We detect and resolve performance issues early, optimizing antenna design and signal processing before market release, saving time and resources.

Ensured Network Compatibility

Our testing verifies device compatibility across multiple wireless networks and technologies, ensuring seamless connectivity in any environment.

Cost-Effective Risk Mitigation

By identifying issues early, Element helps prevent costly recalls or warranty claims, saving manufacturers time and resources.

Frequently asked questions

What wireless technologies does Element's OTA testing support?

Our testing supports numerous wireless technologies including 5G NR SA and NSA, 5G FR1 and FR2, LTE (various categories), A-GNSS, IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth Classical, ZigBee, ISM, SRD, UHF RFID, MedRadio-MICS bands, and legacy 3G networks.

What equipment and capabilities do your antenna pattern measurement labs have?

Our AMS-8923-195 lab includes a multi-antenna array that houses twenty-three (23) dual-polarized measurement antennas spaced every 15º. The turntable/positioner for the device under test (DUT) provides continuous rotation along the phi axis with minimized reflections through the use of low dielectric materials in a fully anechoic room (FAR).

Element’s antenna pattern measurement labs are equipped with a goniometer to improve 3D resolution from 15º down to 1º as needed. An integrated laser alignment system assists with DUT positioning, and with an integrated high-speed switch controller, the system provides fast switching between antennas for accelerated testing.

Element offers Antenna Pattern Measurement techniques for the following: