Smart homes have gained great popularity in recent years and have become a necessity for modern homes nowadays. Smart home devices refer to home devices that have network communication capabilities and can self-describe, publish, and interact with other nodes. Integrating smart devices allows homeowners to control and monitor various appliances and systems in their homes remotely through apps or voice assistants.
However, to ensure smooth operations of various smart devices and seamless connectivity within the home network, it is crucial to test the performance of antennas thoroughly. Antenna testing plays a significant role in optimizing the overall functioning of smart homes.
The Significance of Smart Home Testing
Testing the performance of a smart home is extremely important as it helps evaluate the efficiency of the whole system. The following are some key aspects that highlight the importance of smart home antenna testing:
1. Ensure Efficient Performance and User Experience
Antenna testing identifies potential issues that can negatively affect the user experience. It helps enhance the connectivity, reliability, and speed of operation of different smart devices. Moreover, measuring smart home devices helps ensure maximum device performance, allowing users to access and easily manage these systems.
2. Identify Potential Connection Issues
Comprehensive OTA testing can detect problems in antenna reception and connectivity between devices and the home network. This helps troubleshoot and fix issues beforehand. It also helps to remind whether the coordination work between devices can proceed smoothly.
3. Enhance Device Interoperability
Antenna testing evaluates how well different smart devices work together and interconnect. It improves communication between various systems for seamless connection and a cohesive user experience.
Parameters for Smart Home Testing
Several important technical parameters must be considered when testing the performance of a smart home system. A thorough examination of these parameters helps get a deep understanding of the networking capabilities:
1. TRP/TIS (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth)
TRP and TIS refer to the total radiated power and total isotropical sensitivity. TRP within 10dBm to 20dBm and TIS lower than -80dBm indicate good radiation performance of most intelligent devices power of wireless signals. It directly tests whether smart home devices can work sensitively. Bluetooth earphones, mini speakers, and Kindles can all test this parameter.
2. Wi-Fi/4G/5G MIMO Throughput Testing
Throughput refers to the amount of information read, processed, and stored by the central processing unit from storage devices per unit of time. Testing the throughput of different wireless connections is crucial. It determines factors like latency and network reliability.
3. De-sense Test
The de-sense test refers to evaluating the impact of wireless interference generated by devices on the wireless transmission performance of the device. This test checks interference between various wireless signals, reflecting whether the equipment performance has decreased.
4. Wall Passing Signal Attenuation Test
The wall passing signal attenuation test evaluates the impact of different building materials on wireless transmission performance. It can detect signal attenuation and help determine the placement of smart home devices.
5. Radiation Pattern
Radiation patterns can evaluate the radiation directionality performance of products, providing detailed evaluation data for smart home devices. By obtaining the radiation performance of the antenna in all directions, the overall performance of the intelligent device can be judged.
6. External Interference Source Testing
This test checks the tolerance of the wireless network against external interference. With the development of the IoT, smart home devices may be affected by external interference signals from multiple wireless products. So, testing the performance of smart home appliances has become increasingly important in this situation.
7. Roaming Test
Roaming refers to the impact on throughput when wireless devices move between multiple transmitting or receiving devices. It evaluates the switching performance of smart devices as users move between access points.
8. Indoor Channel Simulation
Indoor channel simulation measures the propagation of radio waves through the medium indoors, helping us test the signal propagation function of smart home devices and analyze the device’s behaviour in different scenarios.
9. Success Rate of Reconnecting
It evaluates the success rate of devices coming online after being turned off or awakened from standby. This test checks the reliability of devices reconnecting to the network after connection interruption.
10. Low Delay and Low Jitter Testing
It evaluates the impact of network delay or jitter on applications such as online games. It is necessary for applications such as games that have special requirements for low latency and low jitter. It ensures smooth operation by examining transmission delay and signal instability over the network.
Sunyield’s Smart Home Testing Equipment
Sunyield is a leading provider of smart home testing equipment. Founded in 2011, the company always focuses on innovative antenna measurement technologies and services to customers. With customer satisfaction as their core value, they offer a variety of high-quality testing solutions that can be used to test large-screen televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, routers, and more. Some of their top smart home testing equipment include:
1. SY-68 MIMO
The SY-68 MIMO is a large system, which supports measurements up to 8.5GHz with a maximum measurement range of 2.5 meters in diameter. It is suitable for testing large appliances and antennas. Some of its key features include:
- Faster Measurement: The symmetrical distribution of probes allows complete 3D scanning with just 180-degree horizontal rotation.
- Real-time Display: Allows real-time viewing of active/passive directivity diagrams and active power/sensitivity.
- Powerful Function: Supports passive measurement up to 8.5GHz. It enables high-frequency passive testing through upgrading.
2. SY-48 MIMO
The SY-48 MIMO covers measurements up to 12GHz, and its measurable object size ranges from 1.5 meters to 2 meters, making it ideal for measuring terminals and smaller base stations. Some of the product’s notable features include:
- Faster Measurement: The symmetrical probe layout enables full 3D scans with just 180-degree horizontal rotation.
- Real-time Display: Real-time viewing of active and passive directivity diagrams, active power, and sensitivity.
- Powerful Function: Supports passive testing from 600MHz to 8GHz. The upgrade is supported to expand high-frequency passive capability.
3. SY-24L/SY-24 MIMO
The compact SY-24L/SY-24 MIMO is our entry-level system, available in various frequency ranges from 400MHz to 8.5GHz. Its key characteristics include:
- Real-time Displays: Real-time directivity diagrams, sensitivity, and power viewing capability.
- Powerful Function: Supports 2G/3G/4G/Wi-Fi active measurements range between 400MHz and 6GHz. The MIMO measurements are also allowed through upgrading the software.
- Compatibility: It can be compatible with various network analyzers and general antenna testing equipment.
- Smooth Upgrade: Software and hardware upgrade enables measurements like LTE-CA.
Conclusion
Overall, antenna testing plays a key role in optimizing smart home performance by thoroughly examining various crucial wireless parameters. Regular performance assessments help solve issues and ensure seamless connectivity within homes.
With industry-leading experience and quality antenna testing solutions, Sunyield is a dependable brand that meets all near field measurement requirements. Homeowners can leverage their versatile equipment for testing appliances, routers, and establishments to enhance the user experience in their smart living spaces. Contact them to browse all of Sunyield’s products.