In the core competence "radio and information technology" of the TU Ilmenau the research infrastructure "virtual road simulation and test plant -VISTA" is settled. This system is an internationally visible and unique measuring device, which enables the investigation of future radio concepts and standards for the automotive sector, including the simulation of environmental and operating conditions as well as a combination of radio and vehicle technical test methods.

The existing antenna measurement for vehicle antennas in the installed state comprises a spherical near-field measuring system SG3000 for the frequency range 70 MHz to 6 GHz MVG Industries SAS. It consists of a turntable for horizontal positioning (azimuth) and 2 semi-arcs with several measuring antennas for electronically switched scanning in the elevation. With increasing radio networking, modern vehicles accommodate an ever-increasing number of antennas with a high degree of integration. In order to meet the challenges of the emerging massive MIMO technology, the measurement equipment to be acquired in Lot 1 will enable the coherent characterization of up to 16 antennas during one turn of the vehicle with the existing measurement system.

In addition to the radio-technical emulation of realistic driving scenarios, the mechanical mapping of speed and acceleration profiles represents a fundamental part in the performance of virtual road tests, since some driver assistance systems and functionalities are only activated while driving. Lot 2 includes a control of the existing and integrated in the turntable chassis dynamometer for real-time realization of predetermined route, speed and acceleration profiles. In addition, this extension enables the integration of VISTA into the XiL network developed in ThIMo's core competency "vehicle technology", which networks radio and vehicle test stands with each other.

In order to be able to measure antennas of the new generation 5G mobile radio in the frequency range 2 (f> 6 GHz), an extension of the existing antenna measurement technology in VISTA is planned for the target frequency range from 6 GHz to 40 GHz. Lot 3 includes a microwave generator for synthesizing the required test signals in this frequency range. Furthermore, a portable measuring device for the analysis of the received signals is to be offered, which can be used on a carriage, which is moved on an additional quarter-arc installed along the elevation as part of a separate VISTA extension measure.