HomepageBusiness CustomersAll ServicesDigital & Product SolutionsEMC & RF TestingOver-the-Air Performance Testing
Over-the-Air (OTA) Performance Testing
DEKRA’s Over-the-Air (OTA) Performance Testing services help manufacturers validate the performance of wireless devices under realistic usage conditions. By simulating live network environments, OTA Testing verifies that devices deliver excellent user experience, provides seamless connectivity, and fulfills network operators and industry requirements.
- Verifies the wireless performance and reliability of your device
- Measures key parameters such as transmitter radiation pattern, receiver sensitivity, and data throughput
- Helps to fulfil requirements from mobile network operators and global standards
- Detects interference, antenna design flaws and other RF-related issues early in development.
About OTA Performance Testing
OTA Performance Testing evaluates how effectively wireless devices operate in real-world conditions. It measures the complete signal path, from transmission to reception, taking into account the performance of the device's antenna system in typical usage scenarios.
OTA Testing services assess the RF performance of transmitters and receivers, including the effects of antennas, device housing, and the proximity of the human body or other objects. OTA Testing helps to understand how those factors impact device performance across various positions and orientations during use.
Comprehensive and reliable OTA Testing Services across a range of wireless technologies
DEKRA laboratories are equipped with advanced facilities that conduct a wide range of OTA evaluations. Our facilities include fully anechoic chambers for SISO (Single Input Single Output) and MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) testing, reverberation chambers, multi-channel emulators and human body models that simulate device usage near the head, wrist or hand.
With deep expertise in industry standards for OTA Testing, such as 3GPP, CTIA, PTCRB and GCF, we support manufacturers throughout the development lifecycle, from the R&D phase to product certification. Our customized testing plans are designed to suit each product's specific type, size, and market application. This approach helps our customers reduce development time, ensure compliance, and expedite access to global markets.
Key OTA Performance features tested:
- Total Radiated Power (TRP)
- Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS)
- Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP)
- Wi-Fi and cellular coexistence (Wi-Fi de-sense)
- Antenna gain, efficiency, directivity, VSWR and 2D/3D radiation patterns
- Data throughput under different usage conditions
Our testing capabilities
We support a wide range of wireless technologies and frequency bands, including:
- Cellular: 2G, 3G, LTE, NB-IoT, Cat M1, 5G FR1
- Wi-Fi: 2.4 / 5 / 6 GHz
- Bluetooth
- Low-power wireless: LoRa, Sigfox
- Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
- Satellite communications
- Other wireless technologies on demand
With DEKRA's Over-the-Air Performance Testing services, you can be confident your wireless devices are ready to meet today's technical requirements and tomorrow's connected world.
- CE Marking (EU) / ETSI Standards
- GCF / 3GPP Standards
- PTRCB / CTIA Standards
- LoRa Alliance
- Telecom Carriers: AT&T, Vodafone, DoCoMo, Iridium,...
OTA testing evaluates the wireless performance of a device by measuring how its antenna transmits and receives signals in real-world conditions, over-the-air without direct cable connections. This testing depicts how your product will operate when customers use it in their everyday environments.
The performance of a device depends not only on its internal components but also on various factors, including the materials used, the PCB layout, the housing design, the antenna positioning, and the parts of the human body the device is intended to operate against, all of which can affect transmitted and received signal quality.
Over-the-Air (OTA) testing helps manufacturers to identify these elements, ensuring that a product meets the necessary performance for both connectivity and reliability.
Devices that have attached antennas or integrated antennas, such as smartphones, wearables, IoT devices, gateways and vehicle telematic control units (TCUs).
OTA testing services provided by DEKRA assess several key indicators, including:
- Total Radiated Power (TRP)
- Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS)
- Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP)
- Wi-Fi De-sense (Cellular & Wi-Fi coexistence tests)
- Antenna efficiency, gain, VSWR and radiation patterns
- Data throughput
These parameters provide a comprehensive view of how your device behaves over the air.
Conducted RF testing involves measurements at the antenna port (at the point where the antenna would be connected), making it perfect for early performance evaluations where radiated aspects are not taken into consideration. On the other hand, OTA testing takes a broader approach, assessing the entire device in its final form. This method considers how factors like enclosures, materials, and user interaction impact radiated performance.
Yes. DEKRA tests according to globally recognised standards such as:
- 3GPP (e.g., 3GPP TS 34.114, 3GPP TS 37.544, 3GPP TS 38.561)
- CTIA Test Plans (e.g. Cellular 2G/3G/LTE/Cat M1/NB-IoT/5G FR1, Wi-Fi Mobile Converged Devices, Bluetooth Low Energy, ZigBee)
- ETSI Harmonised Standards (e.g. EN 301 908-2, EN 301 908-13)
- Operator-specific programs (e.g., AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Orange, Telefonica, Iridium)
- Industry Alliances programs (e.g. PTCRB, Global Certification Forum, Apple MFi, LoRa Alliance)
DEKRA's accredited laboratories are equipped with advanced fully anechoic rooms (SISO and MIMO) and reverberation chambers, multi-axis positioning systems, multi-channel emulators and human body phantoms (head, hand, wrist).
These tools are utilised to simulate real-world usage, ensuring consistent and precise results across all tests.
Yes, OTA testing can reveal design issues. DEKRA can detect problems such as poor antenna integration, detuning caused by nearby materials, or signal losses due to device orientation, helping you optimise performance before incurring costly final revisions.
Early testing, even during the prototype stage, can help avoid issues later on. It is advisable to incorporate OTA evaluations from R&D all the way through to final certification. This proactive approach ensures that you are prepared and can navigate any potential issues, leading to a smoother journey to market.
The duration varies depending on the device type, the number of wireless technologies, and the certification requirements. It can range from a few hours to several days.