Antenna Anechoic Chamber at VŠB-TUO opens up new avenues in research and industry partnerships
Strengthening ties with industry, opening up new research directions, and engaging in international collaborations—these are the ambitions behind the newly built, state-of-the-art Antenna Anechoic Chamber at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava. The CZK 17 million facility enables testing and evaluating real properties of antennas and other systems utilizing electromagnetic waves, including those used in radio communication, radar technology, and mobile networks. As the first facility of its kind in North and Central Moravia—and boasting technical specifications unmatched elsewhere in the Czech Republic—the chamber marks a significant milestone. Its development was supported by the REFRESH strategic project, which aims to drive innovation and scientific excellence in the Moravian-Silesian region.
Antenna Anechoic Chamber is used to test antennas and other radio systems in an environment without interfering reflections. It simulates measurements in free space without multipath propagation. The importance of these devices is increasing with the development of new communication technologies, making it essential to verify that the design of the solution aligns with the implemented prototype.
“Manufacturers need to verify that their equipment complies with the standards outlined by the relevant regulations. Until recently, we couldn’t meet their demands, requiring them to travel outside the region. We are pleased that, with the new antenna anechoic chamber operating in the 700 MHz to 40 GHz frequency range, we can now support their development of antenna systems for various electronic devices,” said Miroslav Vozňák from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (FEI), where Antenna Anechoic Chamber is located.
He stated that FEI experts can assist companies by providing essential information throughout the entire development and production process of antenna systems. This includes initial design, modeling, and simulation of their properties using specialized software, as well as the manufacturing and verification of their real parameters within a newly constructed chamber.
Additionally, the new facilities will be widely utilized by academics for research and innovation purposes. Following Prague, Brno, and Pardubice, VŠB-TUO is the fourth university in the country to house an Antenna Anechoic Chamber. Measuring eight meters in length and 3.5 meters in height, it is among the largest of its kind.
“The Chamber will play a significant role in advancing research in the fields of IoT and the upcoming fifth and sixth generation mobile networks. This is a highly promising area, and we are confident that we will secure international projects. For instance, with the Chamber, we aim to contribute to research on quantum radar—a revolutionary technology that could transform object detection in the future, impacting military reconnaissance, aviation, biomedicine, and security applications,” explained Marek Dvorský from the FEI regarding some of the research directions.
“State-of-the-art infrastructure combined with skilled personnel is essential for effective collaboration with companies. Development and innovation in modern technologies are pushing the region forward, aligning with the objectives of our university and the REFRESH project. Without such investments, competing with the rapid evolution of communication technologies—which are now influencing many disciplines—would be impossible,” stated Igor Ivan, Vice-Rector of the VŠB-TUO and Director of the REFRESH project.
The faculty intends to incorporate Antenna Anechoic Chamber into the curriculum of the Communication and Information Technology study program and to utilize it in students’ theses.