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2022 marks a milestone in Orbis Systems’ history as the company is celebrating its 10-year anniversary. During the course of its first decade in a rapidly evolving industry, the company has learned to rely on its core strengths of speed, flexibility and customer intimacy.

Ever since being established as its own company in 2012, Orbis Systems’ journey has coincided with the major developments in the relatively new and rapidly evolving telecom industry. “We have been a strategic testing partner and test system provider to some of the leading telecom industry companies for over 20 years. With all the fast changes that have occurred in the mobile phone business and technology over the years, the introduction of 4G to name just one example, it’s no surprise that we have renewed our entire portfolio since the early days”, says CEO Eero Rossi. Headlined A Decade of Knowledge, Orbis Systems’ anniversary year 2022 is expected to bring about a large-scale 5G ramp-up, with further advances in technology and investments as well as production 5G. Despite challenges caused by component availability issues and the ever ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the company is firmly directing its attention on the anniversary year’s chosen focus areas of technological innovation, expanding global presence and sustainability.

Innovative Technology Provider with One Eye on 6G
When it comes to developing innovative new technologies, Orbis Systems’ R&D Manager Mika Kiiskilä emphasizes the importance of continuous customer communication. “Typically, the test environment that the customer needs does not exist yet, so we openly discuss the specific challenges and needs and build the solution together”, he describes the company’s close partnership with its customers. Even though 5G is in many ways only just ramping up, Orbis Systems’ R&D already has one eye firmly on 6G, which is currently in research phase. “There are still a lot of uncertainties around 6G, such as what will be the key customer application”, Kiiskilä explains. “However, it is clear that a higher data rate means higher frequencies and a wider bandwidth. We currently estimate that more extensive demand for 6G test systems might occur already in 2028.”

Clips from the upcoming anniversary video:

10-year Anniversary Interview: Lessons from the First Decade of Knowledge with CEO Eero Rossi

10-year Anniversary Interview: Envisioning 6G with R&D Manager Mika Kiiskilä

Global Presence Ensures Customer Intimacy and Facilitates Sustainability
Building a global presence close to its customers has been a vital part of Orbis Systems’ strategy for years. “We have always worked with global companies, so we understand the importance of speaking the same language with the customer and recognizing differences in local decision-making cultures”, explains CEO Eero Rossi. Being close to the customer also contributes to sustainability, one of today’s most pressing issues within the wireless telecom industry. “We are aiming to set up local supply chains on a global scale so that if a solution is needed in a certain region, we can build it there without having to ship components from halfway across the world”, he describes. In addition to optimizing resources through effective SCM and logistics, Orbis Systems’ sustainability procedures include following strict material and vendor guidelines as well as demanding specific standards from its own partners.

Towards the Next Decade of Knowledge
Looking beyond the anniversary year, CEO Eero Rossi expects the next couple of years to introduce trends like evolving 5G standards, the development of ORAN and private sector networks built around 5G as well as higher levels of automation and robotics. In addition to being committed to the continuous development of its technologies and competencies, Orbis Systems’ game plan is to simultaneously stick to the key lesson from the company’s first decade of knowledge; the importance of flexibility and speed. “Being flexible is one of our main competitive advantages. We aim to understand our strengths and know exactly where we can help our customers, so our R&D is very customer-specific. Also, our customers really value our local presence, which brings them many benefits”, CEO Eero Rossi says. “You really need to be fast, so instead of planning and preparing for years, you have to be able to make to quick decisions and just go ahead and take risks. That also means prioritizing and focusing your efforts instead of running after every opportunity that comes your way”, Rossi describes the company’s approach.

The continuously evolving requirements set by 5G technology call for innovative testing solutions that accelerate time to market while also reducing costs.

With its constantly increasing requirements and ever-evolving standards, 5G technology keeps setting new demands that reach way beyond the Telecom industry. Given the growing technical complexity – such as the inclusion of millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies, beam steering and emerging variety with ORAN – and considering that in the very foreseeable future, practically every device and piece of equipment or machinery in our homes and infrastructure will be capable of connecting to the network, a dire need for innovative 5G test solutions is clear. With ORAN the variety of devices in the network side will also increase to a new level. One test strategy that has so far proven effective in mediating the gap between the two competing priorities of accelerating time to market and reducing testing costs, all the while maintaining measurement integrity, is end-to-end testing.

Increased measurement speed and integrity without sacrificing profitability

By its very definition, an end-to-end testing process runs from beginning to end replicating real-life scenarios and delivers complete test results. In order to ensure the maximal reliability and agility of its customers’ testing processes while also helping them maintain their competitive edge, Orbis Systems has developed time and cost-efficient OTA testing solutions to be used in end-to-end testing environments. Tailor-made to customer needs and enabling testing in real-world simulated conditions as part of a complete end-to-end testing environment, the OTA solutions help provide reliable verification on the performance of multiple base stations and user equipment (UE), even simultaneously with certain setups.

Keeping in mind the 5G technology demands that an end-to-end testing process is seeking to meet, Orbis Systems’ OTA testing solutions feature high levels of pre-integration, automation and customization on proven platforms. The pre-integrated and highly automated components reduce both test times and operator errors and allow for quick ramp up of test capacity. Being able to test the entire process flow using the same test setup also improves the consistency of measurement results.

Interested in learning more about how Orbis Systems’ advanced 5G OTA testing solutions can help you? Visit our website or simply contact us for further information!

The highly advanced Theta/Phi positioner is capable of emulating the vertical sweeps of horizontal positioners on the fly and, thanks to its continuous drive, unique synchronization and low reflection qualities, provides fast and accurate non-stop measuring.

For the wireless communications industry – and ultimately the end-users – to be able to fully benefit from the seemingly endless possibilities provided by 5G technology, over-the-air (OTA) testing is constantly under pressure to evolve accordingly. Some of the key challenges in OTA testing including chamber size, measuring accuracy, speed and cost-efficiency have been to some extent successfully resolved with solutions like the WFS Plane Wave Generator, a 4-meter-long anechoic chamber that removes the need for a large far-field chamber by using real-time near-field to far-field conversion to enable sub-6GHz 5G OTA testing. To reach its full potential, a chamber as advanced as the WFS needs to be equipped with a positioner of equally high standards. Enter the Theta/Phi, a positioner with completely unique emulation, synchronization and reflection qualities!

Unique Software Emulation Ability
Widely used especially in larger anechoic OTA testing chambers, horizontal positioners – also known as BBQ style positioners (pictured below) – use vertical sweeps to perform measurements. However, using a large far-field chamber is not always practical or cost-efficient. To enable the vertical cuts of a horizontal positioner but simultaneously avoid unnecessary reflections within the compact 4-meter WFS chamber, Orbis Systems has developed a completely automated vertical Theta/Phi positioner that takes automation and robotics to a whole new level and overcomes the accuracy limitations of a small size BBQ positioner. The Theta/Phi positioner features the unique ability to software emulate the vertical sweeps of a horizontal positioner, meaning that the software calculates the coordinate conversions automatically.

Synchronization Enables Non-stop Measuring
The Theta/Phi positioner also provides unparalleled testing speed as it can be NC driven and synchronized with the test equipment for continuously ongoing rotation with position synchronized measurement points. Not having to stop and wait for mechanical stabilization of the positioner for every measurement point provides a remarkable increase in testing speed and accuracy.

Low Reflection for Increased Measurement Accuracy
As reflections can limit the performance of the chamber by degrading measurement accuracy, all mechanical parts of the Theta/Phi positioner have been placed behind the antenna in order to prevent metal objects located close to the antenna elements from affecting the radiation pattern. As a result of the advanced design, there are no reflections or coupling to the antenna elements, which in turn leads to improved measurement accuracy.

In case you are interested in learning more about Orbis Systems’ customizable positioner solutions, please contact us by filling out our Contact Form! Further information on the one-of-a-kind WFS Plane Wave Generator solution is available on our website. You can also view a recording of the WFS launch webinar here!

The demand for extensively customized testing solutions is growing at a fast pace due to evolving wireless technologies and diversified customer needs.

The rapid emergence of new technologies is forcing today’s test solutions to be equally innovative. This development has not gone unnoticed by test solution providers, who are sparing no effort to come up with solutions that match the growing demand for made-to-measure solutions. “We are privileged to work with some the world’s most advanced companies that are true frontrunners in their respective industries, and we have clearly noticed that there is a growing need for customized test solutions”, says Janne Mäki-Petäjä, Sales Director at Orbis Systems. “As each customer has to consider factors like its own unique market position, product offering and ramp up schedule, it is no wonder that the test solutions used in their R&D and manufacturing must be customized to suit very specific needs. When it comes to testing, one size definitely does not fit all”, he describes.

Industry, company, product and testing environment based needs require tailor-made solutions
5G over-the-air (OTA) testing chambers are at the core of Orbis Systems’ solution offering and they can be customized in many ways to cater to customer-specific needs. For instance, the company recently delivered a shielded box solution built on a very exact specification including shielding attenuation values as well as a lock system that is both manually and electrically operable. The positioners used in different types of 5G OTA testing chambers are also highly customizable and their design is often based on the demands set by the device under test (DUT), much like in the case of the horizontal BBQ style positioner, which can be tailor-built to optimal size in order to minimize reflections for improved measurement accuracy or revolving multi-DUT and multi-UE positioners for mmWave 5G end-to-end testing.

Orbis Systems’ logo on a customized positioner solution.

Customizable solutions are often needed to meet the diverse demands of different testing environments. Sea container chambers provide a perfect example of how one type of solution simply does not fulfill every customer’s testing needs. While one customer focuses on accelerated ramp up and cost-efficient use of laboratory floor space in industrial type of environment and therefore favors the sea container chamber with its stackable structure and plug-and-play quality, another might find a modular chamber more suitable for office-like premises, even if it requires on-site construction and verification . Automated safety features like laser motion sensors and compressed air door mechanisms are also qualities that are many times customized to suit the customer’s testing environment.

Customized to perfection either from scratch or based on a platform
Customer-specific solutions are sometimes literally built from scratch, but Orbis Systems has also developed several platforms that can be utilized as basis for customization and refined according to customer needs. One such platform is the modular Signal Switching Unit that allows for easy upgrades and offers a cost-efficient way to build complex test systems. “We have provided our customer with Signal Switching Units that have been based entirely on their detailed specification”, Sales Director Janne Mäki-Petäjä says. “Used to test base stations, wireless devices, specialized antenna systems and RF components, the Signal Switching Unit, or SSU in short, is a multi-purpose testing solution that enables the routing of RF signals from multiple instruments to single or multiple devices under test. Due to their modularity, the custom-built SSUs are easily equipped with additional features like signal conditioning parts and integrated into complete signal switching solutions based on attributes like the number of applications needed or the DUT in question. This is very extensive customization that is based directly on customer need”, he elaborates.

More information about Orbis Systems’ customizable OTA solutions and positioners is available on our website. You can also contact us directly for further details!

Initially certified in 2012, Orbis Systems’ Finnish operations renewed its quality management ISO 9001:2015certification obtaining a zero nonconformance issues result in the recertification audit.

Orbis Systems is pleased to announce that the company’s operations in Finland successfully passed the recertification audit of its ISO 9001:2015 standard, demonstrating a continued commitment to delivering high quality products and services as well as consistently developing its processes. The scope of the certification includes development, manufacturing and sales of measuring systems and OTA solutions in telecommunications and electronics industries. The ISO 9001 standard is based on seven specific quality management principles, such as strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach and continual improvement. In addition to Finland, Orbis Systems’ operations in China and India, Beijing Orbis Electronics CO, LTD and Orbis India, are also ISO 9001 certified.

Zero Nonconformances Detected in Recertification Audit
In order to get ISO 9001 certified, a company needs to set up and implement a quality management system that is in accordance with the principles of the latest ISO 9001 standard and pass an audit performed by a Certified Body (CB or Registrar) that assesses the performance of that quality management system against the latest ISO 9001 standard. At the recent two-day ISO 9001:2015 recertification audit Orbis Systems not only passed, but obtained a zero nonconformance issues result, much to the delight of the company’s management. “We are extremely proud of the entire Orbis Systems team for their unwavering customer focus and deep commitment in the continuous development of our operations”, states Chief Operating Officer Tuomo Tolonen. “Obtaining ISO 9001:2015 recertification with zero nonconformance findings is also a clear sign that as a company, we are proceeding in the right direction and continuously improving against our self-set objectives”, he says.

The ISO 9001:2015 certificate is available for download in PDF format in English and in Finnish.

Learn more about Orbis Systems’ global operations, company history, mission and values as well as key competencies here.

Completely ready-to-use OTA testing chambers are an especially suitable solution for the COVID-19 era as they remove unnecessary exposure that typically occurs during assembly.

Developed to support 5G R&D and manufacturing needs, over-the-air (OTA) chambers provide compatibility to execute RF verification and performance tests for base stations and mobile devices. In addition to increasing capacity and allowing for better testing quality, Orbis Systems’ OTA chambers include many unique qualities such as an extremely high level of automation, compact size and superb mobility. However, the feature that has proved to be especially valuable during the special circumstances caused by the coronavirus pandemic is their turnkey nature.

No need for on-site assembly equals minimal exposure and maximal safety

The high quality, solid welded structure chambers are literally delivered to the customer completely ready for use, with no further assembly needed. The turnkey nature of the solutions means that there is no need for on-site assembly, which could possibly lead to installation related isolation issues as well as unwanted additional expenses and delays. Having no need for on-site assembly also means removing unnecessary exposure to outside contacts, which is especially important during the current COVID-19 era, when social distancing and minimizing contact with potential sources of virus transmission have become vital issues for all production environments to ensure the safety of the personnel and to avoid stoppages.

Consistent quality improves testing capability and accelerates ramp-up

In addition to catering to the current need for avoiding unnecessary contacts, the turnkey delivery provides the end-user with several substantial benefits. Building the chambers in a controlled manufacturing environment improves quality by reducing the likelihood of assembly errors and by guaranteeing consistency. As Orbis Systems’ OTA chambers are available for any frequency (sub-6GHz and mmWave) and come in several different sizes with customized positioner solutions, they are always perfectly matched with the customer’s R&D or manufacturing needs, which in turn minimizes time and money consuming delays and accelerates ramp-up times. The high level of automation and pre-integration eliminates the need to build separate add-ons, all the while improving testing capabilities and providing more reliable results. Ready-to-use OTA solutions also provide further time and cost savings through their unparalleled flexibility, as they can be transferred to another testing location without dismantling and re-assembly.

Interested in learning more about our 5G OTA testing solutions? Visit our product page or contact us directly for further information!

Orbis Systems dispatched its delegation to participate in the exhibition and forum to make itself better known within the industry and share its unique OTA solutions and WFS technology with the attendees.

The traditional IME Shanghai 2020, the China International Conference & Exhibition on Microwave and Antenna was held in the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center from October 27th to 29th, 2020. Developed for RF, Microwave, Millimeter Wave, Terahertz and Antenna industry, the event was attended by Orbis Systems’ local delegation with the objective to present the company’s product offering – including the unique WFS Plane Wave Generator launched globally last spring – to the attending audience.

Trending at IME 2020 Shanghai: 5G testing technologies

The overall atmosphere of the IME Shanghai 2020 event was extremely positive and forward-looking, especially considering the special circumstances of 2020, which have resulted in many of the leading industry events across the globe to be cancelled, postponed or converted into online events instead. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still evident, as fewer people and even fewer foreigners attended the event this time. Still, the overall atmosphere was warm and numerous RF & Microwave and 5G manufacturers participated in the exhibition, covering components, devices, materials, test & measurement equipment, and software products for design and simulation. In addition to the exhibitions, there were also various technical forums, lectures and discussions available.

On-site exchanges at IME 2020 Shanghai were quite enthusiastic and the most discussed topics included the following:

• Future applications, devices, and 5G test & measurement technologies
• 5G field test, millimeter-wave components and miniaturized antenna
• 5G OTA test solutions

Orbis Systems’ delegation delighted to participate in the largest Microwave and Antenna industry event in China

As the largest and most influential Microwave and Antenna exhibition in China, IME 2020 Shanghai naturally provided a great platform for trade promotion, technical exchanges and new business co-operation and Orbis Systems’ delegation was pleased to present both the company and its WFS and OTA test solutions through speeches and discussions with exhibition visitors. The main benefits of attending the event thus included the opportunity to promote the company and its products, increasing awareness on the company brand, meeting new suppliers and potential customers and learning about the development of the entire industry and new technologies within it.

For more information about our solutions, please contact us here!

Orbis Systems was set to launch a new product called Wave Form Synthesis at the Mobile World Congress 2020 in Barcelona. As the MWC event was cancelled due to the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, the product will be launched in customer seminars during the spring instead.

Wave Form Synthesis

Our innovative new product WFS, a Plane Wave Generator solution, uses real time near-field to far-field conversion to enable sub-6GHz 5G performance testing in a compact 3,5 m chamber, removing the need for a larger 20 m far-field chamber. This saves floorspace and cost, while allowing for higher potential test capacity per square meter.

Wide range of OTA testing solutions

Orbis Systems’ wide range of OTA chamber solutions for various use cases and frequency ranges (sub6-GHz and mmWave) allows you to optimize chamber size, performance, and cost specificly to suit your needs. ​

Some of our chambers are built into sea containers, which allows our customers to utilize high ceiling industrial buildings for efficient OTA capacity increase by stacking up the chambers. It also makes the transportation very straight-forward.

In case you need over-the-air testing for your 5G products, learn more here or simply contact us for further information!

In the world of 5G over-the-air testing, the level of automation is the difference-maker between old and new generation solutions.

Offering throughput speeds of up to 10 Gbps, frequencies that extend well into the millimeter wave territory, and devices operating in multiple radio access technologies, 5G is currently transforming the world far beyond the telecommunications sector. Industries such as Robotics, Aerospace and Defense and Automotive are adopting new technologies at a rapid pace making over-the-air (OTA) testing an essential part of the product verification process.

New Generation OTA chambers are based on automation

What separates Orbis Systems’ 5G OTA solutions from the competition is the high level of pre-integration and automation that removes the need to build separate add-ons, accelerates the customers’ ramp-up times, improves testing capabilities, speeds and provides more reliable results.

Some of the most distinguishing features of Orbis Systems’ OTA chambers include the following:

DUT Control

Orbis Systems’ low reflection, vertical DUT positioners are unique in their ability to software emulate vertical sweeps of horizontal (also called “barbeque style”) positioners for maximum flexibility within the test environment. All automated positioners have a REST API SW interface for control and various positioner styles are available to cater to different testing needs.

The DUT positioner can be synchronized with the test equipment allowing continuous rotation with position synchronized measurement points. Not having to stop and wait for mechanical stabilization of the positioner for every measurement point provides a remarkable increase in testing speed.

Camera

Orbis Systems’ 5G OTA Chamber solution includes automated and fully integrated camera control. The IR camera is mounted onto the front door or inside the chamber and integrated into the chamber controller. Due to the integration, the camera is connected to the user interface main view, so there is no need for additional screens to be used simultaneously.

Safety Features

Naturally an integral part of any RF testing solution, the safety features of Orbis Systems’ OTA chambers conform with EC directives and are automated to ensure maximal safety under all circumstances. The features include an RF shielding door equipped with an automated safety switch. When the chamber door is opened, the door safety circuit will immediately switch off DUT power to prevent radiation and stop all positioner movement. The chambers also include automated smoke detection and sprinkler systems. Additional features, such as motion detectors, are easy to implement according to customer-specific needs.

Interface

For optimum usability, the OTA chambers are equipped with a local user interface as well as REST API SW interface for remote control. A remote-controlled PDU, Ethernet ports and switches and filters are located inside the chamber.

The Road Ahead: Even more flexibility and customization

In addition to their high level of automation, Orbis Systems’ chamber-based OTA solutions are adjustable and flexible to the user’s needs in several ways. The chambers are constructed from standard industrial components and delivered completely ready for use, so there is no need for expensive and time-consuming installation, which could possibly lead to on-site installation related quality and isolation issues. Compact and mobile, the chambers can be moved on rollers within the facility and multiple chambers can also be stacked in order to save valuable laboratory space. Alternatively, where customer facilities limit the deployment of pre-built chambers, Orbis Systems also delivers modular chamber solutions.

According to Orbis Systems’ Sales Director Janne Mäki-Petäjä, these qualities are highly appreciated among customers, who, thanks to the high level of automation built according to customer specification, are able to save resources and speed up their testing processes. “In the future we expect the customers to demand for even more customizability to chamber automation and device positioning systems for their specific R&D needs”, Mäki-Petäjä says, and ensures that the company is constantly developing not only the technology but also the usability, flexibility and cost-efficiency of its solutions.

Interested in further information about Orbis Systems’ OTA solutions? Find out more here!