Air interface based wireless telecommunication test system

A method of testing a wireless telecommunication system, wherein the system having a plurality of base stations connected to a plurality of antennas via an antenna matrix, and wherein said antennas are deployed in a fixed pattern in a confined test area, and having at least one mobile located within the coverage area of at least one antenna, said method comprising the steps of:

• activating a first cell by selectively connecting a first base station to a first antenna via the antenna matrix;
• initiating a test procedure for testing aspects of mobile communications;
• activating a second cell by connecting said first base station to a second antenna via the antenna matrix;
• and
• monitoring and controlling the test procedure with a computer workstation.

A test system for use in testing wireless telecommunication systems comprising:

• an antenna array comprising a plurality of individual antennas deployed in a fixed pattern within a testing area;
• an antenna matrix having a first and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to said antenna array;
• a plurality of base stations, wherein each base station is connected to said second end of said antenna matrix;
• means for controlling said antenna matrix such that each of said plurality of base stations is selectively cross connected with an associated antenna;
• at least one mobile located within communication range of one of said individual antennas, wherein a position of said mobile is fixed;
• and
• means for shifting a cell pattern such that one of the plurality of said base stations changes from a first antenna to a second antenna by means of said antenna matrix in order to simulate movement of the mobile unit.

A method of testing a wireless telecommunication system, wherein the system having a plurality of base stations connected to a plurality of antennas via an antenna matrix, and wherein said antennas are deployed in a fixed pattern in a confined test area, and having at least one mobile located within the coverage area of at least one antenna, wherein the at least one mobile is placed in a fixed position, said method comprising the steps of:

• activating a first cell by selectively connecting a first base station to a first antenna via the antenna matrix, wherein a program from a computer workstation controls the antenna matrix to activate the first cell;
• initiating a test procedure for testing aspects of mobile communications;
• activating a second cell by connecting said first base station to a second antenna via the antenna matrix, wherein the program from the computer workstation controls the antenna matrix to activate the second cell;
• and
• monitoring the test procedure with said computer workstation.