1. Project Overview

OTA (Over-The-Air Technology) refers to over-the-air technology. The OTA laboratory test project is a technical service project that comprehensively detects and evaluates key indicators such as wireless performance, communication quality, compatibility, and security of various products with wireless communication functions in a professional laboratory environment. With the rapid development of technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, and artificial intelligence, products such as smart terminals, smart homes, Internet of Vehicles (IoV) devices, and industrial IoT sensors have become increasingly popular. The wireless communication performance of these products directly affects user experience and market competitiveness. OTA laboratory testing simulates real wireless communication environments, uses professional testing equipment and scientific testing methods to provide enterprises with accurate and reliable test data, helping enterprises ensure product quality and meet market access requirements.

2. Introduction to Marks

Common marks related to the OTA laboratory test project are important proofs that products have passed compliance testing and have high market recognition, mainly including the following types:

CE Certification Mark: It is a mandatory certification mark for products to enter the EU market, indicating that the product complies with relevant EU directives (such as the RED Directive). OTA testing is one of the key links in CE certification for wireless products.
FCC Certification Mark: Issued by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), it is used to prove that products comply with U.S. electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and wireless communication standards. Wireless products must pass OTA testing to obtain FCC certification.
CQC Certification Mark: It is a voluntary product certification mark issued by the China Quality Certification Center (CQC). For wireless communication products, passing OTA testing is an important condition for obtaining CQC certification, which can enhance the credibility of products in the domestic market.
GSMA Certification Mark: For mobile terminal products, GSMA has formulated strict testing standards. Passing OTA testing is an important guarantee for products to obtain GSMA certification and enter the global mobile communication market.

3. Significance for Enterprises

The OTA laboratory test project has various important significances for the development of enterprises, which are specifically reflected in the following aspects:

Guarantee Product Quality and Performance: Through professional OTA testing, enterprises can timely discover problems in wireless communication of products, such as insufficient signal strength, poor communication stability, and weak anti-interference ability, so as to make targeted improvements, enhance the overall quality and user experience of products, and strengthen the market competitiveness of products.
Meet Market Access Requirements: At present, many countries and regions around the world have formulated strict regulations and standards for wireless communication products. Products must pass corresponding OTA testing and obtain certification marks before they can legally enter the local market. Enterprises carrying out OTA laboratory testing can ensure that products meet market access conditions and avoid risks such as market access barriers, fines, or even product recalls caused by non-compliant products.
Enhance Brand Image and Credibility: Products that have passed OTA testing and obtained authoritative certification marks are more likely to gain the trust and recognition of consumers. This not only helps to increase product sales but also establishes a good brand image for enterprises that value product quality and abide by industry norms, enhancing the right to speak and influence of enterprises in the market.
Reduce R&D Costs and Risks: Carrying out OTA testing in the product R&D stage can detect and solve wireless communication performance problems early, avoiding large-scale rework and rectification due to performance defects in the mass production stage, thereby effectively reducing the R&D costs and time costs of enterprises and reducing risks after market launch.

4. Certification Process

Enterprises usually follow the following steps for OTA laboratory test certification to ensure the standardization and efficiency of the testing process:

Project Consultation and Requirement Confirmation: Enterprises communicate with professional OTA laboratory testing institutions to clarify product types, wireless communication technical parameters (such as frequency bands, modulation methods, etc.), certification requirements of target markets, and other information. The testing institution formulates a detailed test plan and quotation according to enterprise needs.
Sample Preparation and Submission: Enterprises prepare a sufficient number of test samples (usually including finished products, manuals, technical documents, etc.) according to the requirements of the testing institution and submit them to the testing institution. The testing institution accepts the samples and confirms that they meet the testing conditions.
Test Implementation: The testing institution tests the samples in a professional OTA laboratory environment according to the established test plan and relevant standards. The test content includes indicators such as wireless signal transmission power, receiving sensitivity, antenna performance, communication quality, and anti-interference ability. During the test, the testing institution will record test data and results in detail.
Test Report Issuance and Rectification Suggestions: After the test is completed, the testing institution analyzes and organizes the test data and issues a formal test report. If the test results do not meet the relevant standard requirements, the testing institution will put forward specific rectification suggestions, and the enterprise will improve the product according to the rectification suggestions.
Retesting and Certification Acquisition: After the enterprise completes the product rectification, it resubmits the samples for testing. If the test results are qualified, the testing institution will assist the enterprise in submitting a certification application to the relevant certification body, and finally obtain the corresponding certification certificate and certification mark.

5. Relevant Standards and Directives

The OTA laboratory test project strictly follows relevant standards and directives around the world, mainly including the following categories:

EU Standards and Directives: RED Directive (Radio Equipment Directive, 2014/53/EU): It is the main EU directive for wireless communication equipment, requiring products to have good wireless communication performance, electromagnetic compatibility, and safety. OTA testing is one of its core test contents.
ETSI Standards: The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has formulated a series of testing standards for wireless communication products, such as ETSI EN 301 511 (for GSM terminals) and ETSI EN 301 908 (for LTE terminals). These standards make detailed regulations on OTA testing methods and indicators.

U.S. Standards and Directives: FCC Part 15: Formulated by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), it relates to electromagnetic compatibility requirements for unintentional radiators and intentional radiators, which puts forward clear requirements for OTA testing of wireless communication products.

CTIA Standards: Formulated by the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA), they are standards for OTA testing of mobile terminals, such as the CTIA OTA Test Plan, which are widely used in the global mobile terminal industry.

Chinese Standards and Directives: GB/T 32420 series standards: They are national standards in China for wireless performance testing of mobile communication terminals, covering OTA testing requirements for various wireless communication technologies such as GSM, CDMA, and LTE.

YD/T series standards: Formulated by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, they are communication industry standards, such as YD/T 2583 (for TD-LTE digital cellular mobile communication terminals), which regulate the items and methods of OTA testing.

International Standards: ISO/IEC standards: Jointly formulated by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), they include some standards for testing wireless communication products, providing a unified technical basis for global OTA testing.

6. Precautions

Enterprises need to pay attention to the following matters when conducting OTA laboratory test projects to ensure the smooth progress of the test work and the accuracy of the test results:

Choose a Professional Testing Institution: A testing institution with national accredited laboratory (CNAS) qualification, rich experience, and advanced equipment should be selected. Professional testing institutions can provide standardized testing services, ensure the authority and reliability of test results, and at the same time provide enterprises with professional technical support and rectification suggestions.
Understand Test Standards and Requirements in Advance: Enterprises should fully understand the OTA test standards and certification requirements of the target market during the product R&D stage and integrate them into product design to avoid test failure due to non-compliant product design.
Ensure the Representativeness of Test Samples: The submitted test samples should be completely consistent with the technical parameters and structural design of mass-produced products and have sufficient representativeness. If there are differences between samples and mass-produced products, the test results cannot accurately reflect the performance of mass-produced products.
Cooperate with the Testing Institution to Provide Relevant Information: Enterprises should timely and accurately provide product technical documents, manuals, circuit diagrams, and other relevant information to the testing institution, so that the testing institution can better understand product characteristics and formulate appropriate test plans.
Attach Importance to Analysis and Rectification of Test Results: If the test results are unqualified, enterprises should carefully analyze the test report, find out the problems existing in the product, and make timely improvements according to the rectification suggestions of the testing institution. After the rectification is completed, retesting should be carried out to ensure that the product meets the relevant standard requirements.
Arrange Test Time Reasonably: OTA testing requires a certain cycle. Enterprises should make an appointment with the testing institution in advance according to the product R&D progress and market launch plan to avoid affecting the product launch progress due to improper test time arrangement.