Design and Test: Service Workflows

Taoglas offers a wide range of antenna design and testing services that will help you optimize your RF and antenna performance. Taoglas’ world class engineers will use their expertise to perform the required services for several radio technologies, including 5G NR sub-6 GHz, 5G NR mmWave, 4G/3G/2G, GNSS, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth and others. Along with our comprehensive portfolio of antennas, our design and testing services have helped design and bring to market thousands of M2M and IoT solutions worldwide since 2004.

We can offer multiple antenna manufacturing technologies to meet your performance, cost, size and reliability requirements. These include embedded technologies such as FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board), SMD (Surface Mount Device) and LDS (Laser Direct Structuring), as well as external solutions.

Our services will provide you with:

High level product review and antenna solutions
Antenna design, integration and testing
System level product validation

Before you begin your project, Taoglas recommends you consult our Initial System Review & Analysis service, before proceeding to the design and testing phase. This allows for the optimal use of our workflow to provide you timely and accurate service deliverables to best achieve your project goals.

Alternatively, consult any of the services below to see how Taoglas can optimize your product’s RF and antenna performance. Please note – devices, systems and equipment falling within the scope of Annex I of the EU Dual Use Regulation 821/2021 are not eligible for this service. For queries, please consult your legal department or contact exportcompliance@taoglas.com.

ISA.10 – Initial System Review and Analysis	CSA.30 – Cellular OTA TRP Testing	CSA.50 – Custom Antenna Design
ISA.12 – PCB & Gerber Design Review	CSA.31 – Cellular OTA TIS Testing	CSA.70 – Failure Mode Mitigation
CSA.10 – Antenna Feasibility Study	GSA.30 – GPS Acquisition & Tracking Sensitivity	CSA.52 – mmWave Design
CSA.20 – Passive Antenna Testing, Matching & Fine Tuning	GSA.40 – GNSS Field Testing

Initial System Review & Analysis (ISA.10)

High-Level review of your device, the required radio technologies and the associated antenna integration.

Duration:

5 days (this is a typical estimated duration – actual duration on quote may differ)

Outcomes / Deliverables:

High Level System Review.
Antenna Performance Requirements Analysis.
Antenna Selection Options.
Antenna Integration Plan.
Report and/or Interactive Technical Support.

Detailed Overview

PCB & Gerber Design RF Review (ISA.12)

A review of any transmission lines present in any RF path on your PCB, as well as a review of your gerber files from an RF perspective.

Duration:

2 days (this is a typical estimated duration – actual duration on quote may differ).

Outcomes / Deliverables:

High Level System Review.
Antenna Performance Requirements Analysis.
Antenna Selection Options.
Antenna Integration Plan. Report and/or Interactive Technical Support.

Detailed Overview

mmWave Design (CSA.52)

Full review of mmWave needs. Custom design, simulation and production of mmWave array sub-system.

Duration:

1-5 months (this is a typical estimated duration – actual duration on quote may differ).

Outcomes / Deliverables:

Review of full set of array simulations.
Beamformer RFIC selection.
Multi-layer PCB design.
Prototyping and Testing.
Beam steering algorithm developed (optional).
Report, Interactive Technical Support, and Detailed Array Design.

Detailed Overview

Decision Point!

Do you require a custom antenna design or do you have/require standard off the shelf antenna solutions?

Custom Antenna Design (CSA.50)

Design and passive testing of a custom antenna solution. This antenna is specifically designed for your device.

Duration:

6 – 8 weeks (this is a typical estimated duration – actual duration on quote may differ).

Outcomes / Deliverables:

Custom antenna design and integration solution.
Integration files, such as mechanical drawings and 3D CAD files.
Evaluation of custom antenna solution compared to off the shelf options.
5 physical samples for your internal testing.
Report detailing antenna design and measurements results.

Detailed Overview

Decision Point!

Has your antenna solution already been defined/implemented?

Known Antenna Solution => Your antennas are already integrated and require passive testing, matching and fine tuning.

Unknown Antenna Solution => Your device requires one or more antenna solutions that are yet to be integrated into your device.

Antenna Feasibility Study (CSA.10)

Passive testing of known antennas and integration solutions. Includes matching and fine tuning the antenna elements.

Duration:

3 weeks (this is a typical estimated duration – actual duration on quote may differ)

Outcomes / Deliverables:

Test results of various antennas in various locations, positions and configurations within your device.
Selection of the best solution based on overall performance and project targets (price, certification, performance etc.)
An integration plan for each antenna highlighted in your product.
Report and/or Interactive Technical Support.

Detailed Overview

After a Custom Antenna Design, he design(s) have not met the specified performance targets. To obtain acceptable results, Taoglas will discuss possible changes that we can make before changing the design. These can include, but are not limited to:

Enlarging the ground plane to ensure optimal antenna performance
Moving/removing the antenna or other components to increase antenna to metal clearance
Adding active circuitry to enhance antenna performance
Changing the passive antenna performance targets

Once the changes have been agreed Taoglas will re-design the antenna(s) as required.

Passive Antenna Testing, Matching and Fine Tuning (CSA.20)

Passive testing of multiple antenna solutions. This is done by evaluating different antennas and integration options, in order to achieve the optimal antenna solutions for your device.

Duration:

1 week (this is a typical estimated duration – actual duration on quote may differ)

Outcomes / Deliverables:

Details of any electrical or mechanical tuning techniques.
Matching circuit diagram and documentation of values if relevant (or cable routing diagram, antenna position/mounting etc.).
Technical report detailing the measurements that were performed and the measurement results.

Detailed Overview

Does the custom design meet the defined project targets?

Pass => Custom design has met the project targets. Ready for System Level Testing.

Fail => Custom design has failed the defined project targets. Changes required.

After Passive Antenna Testing, your antenna(s) have not met the specified performance targets. To obtain acceptable results, Taoglas will discuss possible changes that we can make before re-testing the antenna(s). These can include, but are not limited to:

Enlarging the ground plane to ensure optimal antenna performance
Moving/removing the antenna or other components to increase antenna to metal clearance
Adding active circuitry to enhance antenna performance
Choosing different antenna(s)
Changing the passive antenna performance targets
Changing to a custom antenna design

Once the changes have been agreed Taoglas will re-do the required passive service.

Does the passive performance of the antenna solutions meet the defined targets?

Pass => Passive performance targets are met. Device is ready for System Level Testing.

Fail => Passive performance targets are not met. Changes need to be made, a different antenna selected, or a custom design must be initiated.

Cellular OTA TRP Testing (CSA.30)

Pre-certification active OTA testing for your complete product. Total Radiated Power (TRP) is tested against US carrier certification standards.

Duration:

2 days (this is a typical estimated duration – actual duration on quote may differ).

Outcomes / Deliverables:

Full 3D TRP analysis.
Report detailing obtained TRP values for required bands.

Detailed Overview

Cellular OTA TIS Testing (CSA.31)

Pre-certification active OTA testing for your complete product. Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS) is tested against US carrier certification standards.

Duration:

3 days (this is a typical estimated duration – actual duration on quote may differ).

Outcomes / Deliverables:

Full 3D TIS analysis.
Report detailing obtained TIS values for required bands.

Detailed Overview

GPS Acquisition & Tracking Sensitivity (GSA.30)

GPS in-chamber testing of fully enabled GNSS device to measure the acquisition and tracking sensitivity. Spectrum analyzer measurements to obtain full frequency sweep of GNSS bands.

Duration:

2 weeks (this is a typical estimated duration – actual duration on quote may differ).

Outcomes / Deliverables:

Measurement of Conducted Receiver Sensitivity.
Measurement of Radiated Receiver Sensitivity (acquisition and tracking).
Comparison of Radiated Receiver Sensitivity to Reference Devices.
A High Sensitivity Spectrum Analyzer Sweep of the GPS bands.
Recommendations to maximize performance.
Technical Report detailing all test results.

Detailed Overview

GNSS Field Testing (GSA.40)

Real world testing of GNSS enabled device in a static rooftop scenario, as well as dynamic mobile scenarios (such as an urban canyon).

Duration:

3 weeks (this is a typical estimated duration – actual duration on quote may differ).

Outcomes / Deliverables:

Measurements of Open-Sky Signal Strength.
Static Location Testing.
Technical Report detailing Field Test results

Detailed Overview

Once Taoglas has found the root cause of the Failure Mode and was unable to mitigate the failures, Taoglas will re-asses the current antenna design. Possible design changes include, but are not limited to:

Enlarging the ground plane to ensure optimal antenna performance
Moving/removing the antenna or other components to increase antenna to metal clearance
Choosing different antenna(s)
Changing the system level performance targets
Changing to a custom antenna design

Once the changes have been agreed Taoglas will re-do the required system level testing service.

Does the device meet defined System Level Targets?

Pass => The device has met the System Level Performance Targets. Testing is complete and device is ready for certification (if required).

Fail => The device has failed System Level Performance Targets and must undergo a Failure Mode Mitigation service.

Failure Mode Mitigation (CSA.70)

Define and replicate the failure mode of your device, before investigating the cause of the failure. Once the cause has been identified, appropriate counter measures are implemented to mitigate the failure mode.

Duration:

3-9 weeks (this is a typical estimated duration – actual duration on quote may differ).

Outcomes / Deliverables:

Detailed analysis of implemented hardware and all design files.
Reproduce problem with appropriate RF test equipment.
Interference Frequency Analysis.
Interactive mitigation experiments to existing hardware.
Report of tests done, results and recommended changes.
Modified copy of hardware if possible

Detailed Overview

Have the causes of the Failure Mode been mitigated to an acceptable level?

Pass => Device Failure Mode has been mitigated and is ready for System Level Testing.

Fail => Have the causes of the Failure Mode been mitigated to an acceptable level?

View all Products by Category

Embedded Antennas

External Antennas

RF Components

Connectors

GNSS

NFC

Cellular

ISM/LoRA

Wi-Fi/Bluetooth

UWB

Combination

C-V2X

SiriusXM

Combination

Cellular

ISM/LoRA

Wi-Fi/Bluetooth

GNSS

UWB

NFC

Satcom

C-V2X

mmWave

Devices

SoM's

Miniature Speakers

Vehicle Speakers

RJ45 Integrated Connectors

LAN Transformers

BMS Transformers

RF Cable Mount

RF On-Board / Receptacles

RF Adapters

RF Contact Clips

Transportation Connectors

Medical Connectors

0-18GHz RF Cable Assemblies

0-26.5GHz RF Cable Assemblies

0-40GHz RF Cable Assemblies

Medical Cable Assemblies

Transportation Harnesses

Filters

Diplexer

Front End Modules

Hybrid Couplers

Brackets

Evaluation Boards

Tools

Antenna Builder

Cable Builder

Antenna Reference Guides

High Precision GNSS Antenna Guide

Request Product Samples

Initial System Review & Analysis (ISA.10)

PCB & Gerber Design RF Review (ISA.12)

mmWave Design (CSA.52)

Decision Point!

Custom Antenna Design (CSA.50)

Decision Point!

Antenna Feasibility Study (CSA.10)

Passive Antenna Testing, Matching and Fine Tuning (CSA.20)

Does the custom design meet the defined project targets?

Does the passive performance of the antenna solutions meet the defined targets?

Cellular OTA TRP Testing (CSA.30)

Cellular OTA TIS Testing (CSA.31)

GPS Acquisition & Tracking Sensitivity (GSA.30)

GNSS Field Testing (GSA.40)

Does the device meet defined System Level Targets?

Failure Mode Mitigation (CSA.70)

Have the causes of the Failure Mode been mitigated to an acceptable level?