Using Reverberation Chambers to Test 5G-enabled Devices

In this paper we review the current status of over-the-air testing of 5G enables devices with emphasis on reverberation chamber technology. For 5G devices, beamforming is a central concept, thus the paper includes a discussion on beamforming aspects of 5G. We show, using simulations, how phase steered antenna arrays can be tested and faults detected in rich isotropic multipath-environments. A novel scheme for measuring directivity related quantities such as EIRP is introduced and limitations and advantages are listed. Results from transmitting a 5G NewRadio signal, carried at 28 GHz, measuring throughput is also demonstrated and some challenges are discussed.