Inside Orbis Systems' Sea Container Testing Chambers: Innovation on a Global Scale
Table of Contents
Redefining 5G OTA Testing with Sea-Container Chambers
Why Sea-Container Testing Matters in the 5G Era
Inside the OTA Performance Test System
Antenna Positioning System: Making Accuracy a Reality
Driving the Future of Wireless Validation with Orbis Systems
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Takeaways
- Global Mobility- The chambers can be transported and deployed worldwide, allowing companies to avoid the expense of permanent labs and begin testing much sooner.
- Integrated OTA Test Systems- Each chamber can be equipped with a fully automated OTA performance test system, ensuring consistent, reproducible, and reliable results.
- Advanced Antenna Positioning- The integrated positioning system enables accurate testing of antenna radiation patterns, beamforming performance, and complex antenna behaviors across both Sub-6 GHz (FR1) and mmWave (FR2) frequency ranges.
- Modular, Customizable Design- The container chambers can be tailored to specific devices, frequency bands, and testing conditions, providing maximum flexibility for evolving test requirements.
- Accelerated Product Development- By enabling advanced testing at multiple global locations, Orbis Systems’ solution helps companies shorten development cycles and reduce delays in bringing new wireless products to market.
Orbis Systems has transformed standard shipping containers into mobile, RF-shielded 5G OTA chambers. Designed for both Sub-6 GHz and mmWave device validation, these modular chambers integrate advanced OTA performance systems with precision antenna positioning and remote automation. The result is laboratory-grade testing accuracy combined with the flexibility to deploy and operate anywhere in the world.
Redefining 5G OTA Testing with Sea-Container Chambers
With the rapid growth of the telecommunications industry, ensuring wireless devices are tested in a consistent and controlled environment has become a top priority. Orbis Systems addresses this challenge by integrating advanced 5G OTA (Over-the-Air) test chambers into standard sea containers.
These mobile chambers are fully RF-shielded, providing a controlled environment that prevents external interference and ensures reliable measurements. Designed for fast deployment in outdoor or remote locations, they enable businesses worldwide to test 5G and IoT devices with speed, accuracy, and flexibility.
Why Sea-Container Testing Matters in the 5G Era
Manufacturers, research centers, and network operators face growing pressure to deliver new devices and accelerate 5G rollouts. Traditional OTA test labs, while essential, are expensive and time-intensive to build. Orbis Systems addresses this challenge with sea-container-based testing chambers that provide a portable and rapidly deployable alternative.
Designed for fast setup, these chambers allow organizations to expand test capacity or relocate facilities without starting from scratch. This flexibility enables next-generation devices—from smartphones to automotive systems—to be tested closer to manufacturing sites or R&D hubs, reducing both cost and time to market.
Inside the OTA Performance Test System
Each chamber can be equipped with a complete OTA (Over-the-Air) performance test system. This setup includes an RF-shielded enclosure, high-precision measurement antennas, device holders with positioning capabilities, and a software control platform. By automating test procedures, the system minimizes human intervention and ensures consistent, repeatable, and reliable results.
One of the advanced features of these chambers is the use of Planar Wave Synthesis (PWS). PWS enables the system to create a controlled electromagnetic environment that simulates far-field conditions within a compact test space. This is particularly valuable for 5G, where accurate emulation of real-world signal propagation and beamforming behavior is critical.
A key advantage of the solution is the built-in REST API interface, which allows engineers to control and monitor tests remotely. Whether evaluating signal strength, throughput, or latency, the chambers, powered by automated testing and PWS, deliver precise performance insights that closely reflect real 5G network conditions.
Antenna Positioning System: Making Accuracy a Reality
A standout feature of Orbis Systems’ sea-container chambers is the advanced antenna positioning system, a true 3-axis motion controller. It precisely controls measurement antenna height, radial distance, and polarization/rotation, providing exceptional alignment for antennas and devices under test. Each axis integrates absolute position sensors, ensuring the system retains its alignment even after power interruptions. This eliminates the need for recalibration and saves valuable testing time.
The system also offers real-time position monitoring and control via Ethernet, leveraging a standard REST API interface for seamless automation and test integration. In the demanding scenarios of 5G and mmWave testing, where even minimal angular deviations can skew results, this level of precision and reliability is indispensable.
Driving the Future of Wireless Validation with Orbis Systems
Orbis Systems is redefining wireless testing by combining innovation, mobility, and precision in its sea-container-based 5G OTA chambers. Equipped with integrated OTA performance test systems and advanced antenna positioning, these chambers deliver the essential capabilities companies need to validate modern wireless devices quickly, accurately, and reliably.
Whether for 5G, IoT, or other next-generation technologies, Orbis Systems provides a faster, smarter, and more flexible approach to device testing. Partner with Orbis Systems to accelerate your product development and bring high-performance wireless solutions to market with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a sea-container-based OTA chamber, and how does it differ from a traditional OTA lab?
A sea-container-based OTA chamber is a fully RF-shielded test environment engineered within a standard shipping container. Unlike fixed OTA labs, these chambers are mobile, modular, and globally deployable. They offer the same laboratory-grade testing conditions but with faster deployment, lower upfront costs, and the flexibility to scale or relocate testing capacity as needed.
2. In what ways does an OTA performance test system enhance 5G device testing?
An OTA (Over-the-Air) performance test system enables engineers to evaluate how devices behave in wireless conditions without using physical cables. For 5G, this includes assessing beamforming, signal coverage, data rates, and latency within controlled environments that replicate real-world network conditions. Integrated automation ensures reproducible, accurate, and efficient test results.
3. An antenna positioning system is crucial in OTA testing. Why?
The antenna positioning system allows the device under test to be rotated and aligned in any direction. This is critical in 5G testing—especially at mmWave frequencies—where signal performance is highly sensitive to angle and orientation. Without precise alignment, measurements can yield inaccurate results that do not represent real-world device behavior.
4. Are these rooms capable of hosting other types of testing besides 5G?
Yes. The chambers are flexible and support Sub-6 GHz and mmWave testing, automotive, and IoT use cases. This positions them as a future-proofed investment choice for businesses that play across several wireless technologies.
5. What are the strengths of sea-container chambers compared to fixed OTA labs?
Conventional OTA labs involve permanent infrastructure, high costs, and lengthy construction times. In contrast, sea-container chambers are more economical, quicker to deploy, and can be relocated as needed. For companies expanding internationally or requiring temporary or distributed test capacity, these mobile chambers provide a more versatile and scalable alternative.