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5G is the fifth generation of wireless communication technology supporting cellular networks. From GSM (2G) through to LTE (4G), each generation addresses technical challenges not overcome by its predecessor. As with previous generations, 5G requires new mobile devices and new base stations (BTS).Unlike previous generations, the use of radio beams in 5G requires completely new approaches with regard to the compliance, coverage, and quality of service testing.The new air interface is called 5G NR ("new radio"). This application note describes the measurement challenges of 5G NR and makes clear the benefits of using a monitoring receiver for measuring 5G signals.Real-world examples explain how to perform various key 5G measurements. The final section covers further 5G measurement possibilities using R&S products. "Over-the-air" (OTA) measurements are essential in 5G. This means staff from regulators and operators must work in unknown radio environments that vary according to location (e.g. urban or suburban) and mission (e.g. 5G BTS compliance testing or interference hunting). Measurement equipment must operate in a wide range of scenarios (close to the mast and far from the mast) and offer user-friendly functionality that enables the required measurements.Considering current global deployment trends, this paper focuses on the FR1 frequency band (sub 6 GHz).

English - 7.6.2021

Enhanced Mobile Broadband, Massive Machine Type Communication, Ultra-reliable and low latency communication have been identified as the requirements to be supported by the 5thGeneration of Mobile Communication, short 5G. 5G is extensively discussed in the wireless industry. A lot of research and pre-development is being conducted worldwide, including an analysis of the waveforms and access principles that are the basis for current LTE and LTE-Advanced networks.In this application note we discuss potential 5G waveform candidates, list their advantages and disadvantages and compare them to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), which is used in LTE/LTE-Advanced.

English - 10.6.2016

3GPP defines the Radio Frequency (RF) conformance test methods and requirements for 5G NR Base Stations (BS) in the technical specifications TS 38.141. This application note describes how all mandatory RF transmitter tests (TS 38.141-1, chapter 6), according to Release 16, can be performed quickly and conveniently with signal or spectrum analyzers from Rohde & Schwarz by either choosing manual operation or a remote control approach. Moreover, some test cases require additional signal generation equipment from Rohde & Schwarz.In Addition, a new Python software library comes with this application note to enable the remote control approach of base station testing. This example requires the RsInstrument module which can be found on pypi.org or installed via 'pip' and is provided as is.

English - 27.1.2021

More frequency bands and larger dynamic ranges increase the number of test points required in characterization and production of the latest RF frontends (RFFE). Actively managing test time and cost while maintaining quality is more important than ever before.

English - 8.6.2020

This application note is step by step guide on 5G New Radio (5G NR) signal generation and analysis capabilities using the R&S®SMW200A Vector Signal Generator equipped with software option SMW-K144 (5G NR option), in combination with the R&S®FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer and the software options FSW-K144 & FSW-K145 (5G NR Downlink & Uplink Signal Analysis). The R&S®VSE Vector signal explorer has also been used for analysis purpose in parallel to the FSW-K144 & FSW-K145 software options.It is assumed that the reader already has a deep understanding of the 5G New Radio standard as well as the testing aspects. If not, then please refer to the 5G eBook more a detailed overview on the fundamentals, procedures, testing aspects of the 5G NR technology.

English - 22.11.2019

Modern societies worldwide depend on the performance, reliability and security of critical infrastructures and networks. There is a plethora of “new verticals” such as manufacturing, warehouse, mining, ports or other critical infrastructure, just to name a few. These “new vertical” use cases all have one common requirement: the mobile network needs to provide a superior performance compared to a commercial mobile network. In such environments 5G brings new capabilities to build fast and secure campus or private networks tuned to higher performance, which can increase productivity and efficiency. To be successful in these business-critical use cases, the wireless networks need to be as reliable as the wired ones. This educational note describes the different test methods to be able to verify the superior network performance and to help finding root causes of potential problems limiting the performance. We distinguish between passive tests and active tests.

English - 11.8.2023

Device certification for compliance with 3GPP specifications is a crucial step in the launch of 5G NR user equipment (UE). As the demand for high-performance connectivity continues to rise, ensuring that devices meet industry standards is essential for delivering reliable and efficient service. To ensure optimal modem performance, RF pre-conformance testing, also known as design verification, needs to be initiated early in the product development process. This approach enables teams to swiftly identify and address potential issues, minimizing delays and enhancing the overall quality of the final product.The R&S®CMX500 3GPP RF pre-conformance WebGUI solution offers a fast and intuitive platform for executing NR-FR1 Standalone (SA) test cases based on the 3GPP 38.521-1 specification. Its manual verification capabilities make it particularly well-suited for early-stage validation, debugging, and step-by-step verification of test cases, leveraging the comprehensive toolset provided by the R&S®CMX500 WebGUI. Test case procedures are optimized for R&D use cases, while using the most relevant configurations from the specification.This application note serves as a comprehensive guide for R&D professionals, detailing the setup, configuration, execution, and verification of selected 3GPP pre-conformance test cases with just a few clicks in the GUI. Please note that the test steps outlined in this document require the CMX-KC661B license (SA FR1 3GPP RF Test Scenarios), in addition to the NR signaling license CMX-KS600B and the NR FR1 measurement license CMX-KM600. All descriptions, configurations and limits are based on 3GPP TS38.521-1 V18.4.0 (2024-11).

English - 25.6.2025

With all these new flexibilities introduced with 5G, the radio access has become more complex to understand and analyze. More network interfaces and RAN configuration parameters have to be managed and the RAN and in particular the connection control, mobility and measurement reporting are decisive for the network performance. It will be vital for the system experts and radio engineers to gain knowledge and evolve their methods and tools to facilitate the work to optimize and troubleshoot 5G and 4G RAN performance. Thus, tools are needed that allow for easier understanding of the message flows in the radio protocols. The R&S®ROMES4 KPIs and Smart Events will help doing the work much easier and quicker. They are defined for a key set of LTE, EN-DC and NR RRC connection control and mobility procedures where the performance is crucial to achieve high quality network performance. Trouble shooting problematic cases and optimization of RAN protocols are key drivers to improve the mobile network performance with R&S®ROMES4.

English - 28.6.2022

Business-critical infrastructure: Industrial applications require extremely high reliability and availability, as any downtime can result in significant financial losses. Fundamental requirements: Industrial applications often require low latency and even more important a sustainable latency to ensure real-time communication and control. Measurement Techniques: As soon as the radio access network is used, innovative testing methods are needed beforehand to proactively test the network capability and to identify any potential issues. We propose a standard test procedure for the characterization of a network regarding industrial use-cases that covers a representative set of different, common types of network traffic.

English - 13.8.2024

During development of MU-MIMO antenna arrays, the beamforming algorithms undergo steady revision. Whether used in regression testing or verification of newly introduced features, fast beamforming verification helps to speed up R&D for beamforming antennas and improve performance of your product.

English - 7.7.2020

Spectrum clearance in mobile networks is becoming ever more important as operators use new bands that previously contained other services. This is particularly important for the 5G NR rollout. 5G NR has already initiated a worldwide deployment of TDD networks in an unknown radio environment where unwanted transmitters can create uplink interference masked by downlink signals, making interference hunting particularly demanding. Automated detection of interference signals before a network switches on can be a big help in addition to traditional manual techniques.

English - 19.4.2024

Key Points: Mission-Critical Infrastructure: Military operations require extremely high reliability and availability, as any downtime can result in compromised missions and significant strategic losses. The reliability of communication networks is crucial to ensure seamless execution of military operations. Fundamental requirements: Military applications often require low latency and sustainable latency to ensure real-time communication and control, particularly in situations where split-second decisions can mean the difference between success and failure. This is critical for applications such as command and control systems, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Measurement Techniques: As soon as the radio access network is used, innovative testing methods are needed beforehand to proactively test the network capability and to identify any potential issues. We propose a standard test procedure for the characterization of a network regarding military use-cases that covers a representative set of different, common types of network traffic.

English - 2.7.2025

English - 31.7.2024

English - 30.4.2025