Exploring OTA testing for massive MIMO base stations in small region

This paper discusses the possibility of over-the-air (OTA) testing for Massive MIMO base stations in small region. The probe antenna layout for a multi-probe anechoic chamber (MPAC) method based OTA setup aiming for Massive MIMO base station (BS) throughput testing has been designed. An 8×8 uniform rectangular array with 0.65λ element spacing at 3.5 GHz is employed as the BS under evaluation. Spatial correlation with respect to different rows are simulated in 2 meters measurement range which does not meet far field requirement. Simulation results indicate that two probe antennas (two rays) can be a good fit to the 20 rays of a 3D cluster within certain azimuth and zenith angle spread.