Multi-probe anechoic chamber testing a massive MIMO base station

Is Massive MIMO Testing the Key to Unlocking 5G's Full Potential?

Soraya Malik in Tech & Innovation September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Explore how multi-probe anechoic chambers are revolutionizing base station testing and paving the way for enhanced 5G performance."

The rollout of 5G technology has promised revolutionary advancements in wireless communication, with massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna arrays at the base station (BS) side being a core enabler. However, realizing the full potential of 5G requires rigorous and accurate testing methods that can evaluate the end-to-end performance of these complex systems.

Traditional conducted testing methods are becoming increasingly inadequate for 5G base stations due to the integration of antennas and the sheer number of antenna elements. Over-the-air (OTA) testing has emerged as the necessary solution, offering a way to assess the radiated performance of the entire base station.

Among the various OTA testing approaches, the multi-probe anechoic chamber (MPAC) method stands out as a promising candidate. MPAC allows for the emulation of realistic radio frequency (RF) environments, enabling comprehensive performance evaluation. This article explores how MPAC setups are transforming 5G base station testing, addressing key challenges, and ensuring the reliability and efficiency of 5G networks.

Why Multi-Probe Anechoic Chambers Are Essential for 5G Base Station Testing?

Multi-probe anechoic chamber testing a massive MIMO base station

Traditional testing methods, like conducted testing, are falling short because they can't accurately measure how well 5G base stations perform in real-world conditions. Conducted testing involves directly connecting test equipment to the device, which bypasses the antenna and the surrounding environment. For 5G, where the antenna is integral to the system's performance, this approach doesn't cut it.

Over-the-air (OTA) testing, particularly using multi-probe anechoic chambers (MPACs), offers a more realistic evaluation. Here’s why it’s essential:

Comprehensive Assessment: MPACs capture the entire base station's performance, including the antenna's radiation pattern and its interaction with the emulated radio environment.
Realistic Emulation: They allow engineers to simulate various real-world radio conditions, such as urban, suburban, and rural environments, ensuring the base station functions optimally in any scenario.
End-to-End Evaluation: MPACs provide a true end-to-end testing method, evaluating the entire communication chain from the base station to the user equipment.
Adaptive System Testing: MPACs can test adaptive antenna systems, which are crucial for 5G's beamforming capabilities, ensuring they dynamically adjust to changing conditions.
Cost-Effectiveness: While setting up an MPAC can be an investment, it offers a cost-effective solution for comprehensive testing compared to the expenses associated with field testing and potential performance issues.

In essence, MPACs bridge the gap between lab testing and real-world deployment, ensuring that 5G base stations meet the stringent performance requirements of modern wireless communication.

The Future of 5G Relies on Accurate Testing

As 5G technology continues to evolve, the importance of accurate and comprehensive testing cannot be overstated. Multi-probe anechoic chambers offer a robust solution for evaluating the performance of massive MIMO base stations, ensuring they meet the demands of next-generation wireless communication. By embracing these advanced testing methods, we can unlock the full potential of 5G and pave the way for a more connected and efficient future.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1049/cp.2018.0861, Alternate LINK

Title: Performance Testing Of Massive Mimo Base Station With Multi-Probe Anechoic Chamber Setups

Journal: 12th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP 2018)

Publisher: Institution of Engineering and Technology

Authors: Fengchun Zhang, Wei Fan, Yilin Ji, M. Gustafsson, T. Jamsa, G. Steinböck, P. Kyösti, G.F. Pedersen

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

Why are traditional testing methods insufficient for evaluating 5G base stations?

Traditional methods like conducted testing fall short because they cannot accurately assess the performance of 5G base stations, particularly those with massive MIMO antenna arrays. Conducted testing bypasses the antenna and surrounding environment, which is integral to 5G's performance. Over-the-air (OTA) testing, especially using Multi-probe anechoic chambers (MPACs), is necessary to evaluate the radiated performance of the entire base station, including the antenna's radiation pattern and its interaction with the emulated radio environment.

What are the key advantages of using Multi-Probe Anechoic Chambers (MPACs) for 5G base station testing?

MPACs provide several key advantages: they offer a comprehensive assessment of the entire base station, including its antenna's radiation patterns and interaction with emulated radio environments. They realistically emulate various radio conditions (urban, suburban, rural), ensuring optimal base station function in any scenario. They offer end-to-end evaluation from base station to user equipment, test adaptive antenna systems essential for 5G's beamforming, and prove cost-effective for comprehensive testing compared to field testing or performance issue costs.

How do Multi-Probe Anechoic Chambers (MPACs) simulate real-world radio environments?

MPACs simulate real-world radio environments by creating controlled, isolated spaces that mimic various scenarios, such as urban, suburban, and rural settings. These chambers use multiple probes to measure and emulate the complex radio signals that a base station would encounter in these different environments. This allows engineers to evaluate the base station's performance under realistic conditions, ensuring it can effectively handle interference, signal fading, and other challenges of real-world wireless communication.

Why is Over-the-Air (OTA) testing, specifically using MPACs, crucial for 5G base station performance?

OTA testing with MPACs is crucial because it assesses the base station's radiated performance and its interaction with the surrounding environment, unlike conducted testing. For 5G, where antennas are integral, OTA ensures comprehensive evaluation, providing a realistic assessment that accounts for the antenna's radiation pattern and simulated radio environments. This includes evaluating the base station's end-to-end performance, which is critical for meeting the stringent requirements of modern wireless communication and ensuring reliable and efficient 5G networks.

How do MPACs contribute to the cost-effectiveness of 5G base station testing?

MPACs offer a cost-effective solution for comprehensive testing compared to the expenses associated with field testing and potential performance issues. While the initial setup of an MPAC can be an investment, it allows for thorough testing of various scenarios in a controlled environment. This reduces the need for extensive and expensive field testing, and more importantly, helps identify and resolve performance issues early in the development and deployment phases, preventing costly fixes later on.