Network engineering

Mobile network engineering

Verify new technologies and services with network feature testing

Network engineering plays a crucial role in network planning and optimization. New technologies, features and services must first be verified in a lab environment before they can be incorporated in a network. This begins in an isolated network environment where network feature testing takes place with user equipment (UE) simulators or precommercial devices connected to the complete radio access and core network. After successful implementation in the lab, geographically limited field trials verify performance in real network environments.

To explore our future proof solutions further

Your mobile network engineering challenges

A key challenge in network engineering is verifying fundamental functions and objectives in a controlled lab environment before network deployment. This process involves several critical tasks:

Setting up and releasing radio connections
Managing user authentication and subscriber profiles
Providing end to end user services
Allocating and utilizing radio links
Assessing data bearer performance

Lab verification requires test equipment that can connect to and control both existing and, more importantly, precommercial mobile devices, as the technologies and services under test may not yet be available on the market.

During early network field trials, it is crucial to verify essential link budget parameters related to the transmitting and receiving side of the RAN. Such parameters include: sensitivity, transmit power and path loss. These early verification procedures help minimize risks and expedite network launch.

Mobile network operators use early field trials to gather precise radio frequency (RF) and network coverage data, which can be used to refine propagation models in planning tools - an essential step in network planning and optimization.

High performance test solutions for network engineering

Rohde & Schwarz offers advanced network engineering tools, such as ROMES drive test software, which traces the RF interface and performs application layer service tests to collect essential key performance indicators (KPI). ROMES supports smartphone tethering and both classic modem and network adapter connection methods. This enables fundamental function verification and network device interaction objectives.

The TSMx6 network scanners deliver precise RF coverage data, including link budget parameters, such as receive and transmit power / path loss. Since network engineering tools are primarily used in the field, we also offer convenient carrying solutions in both backpack and shoulder bag forms

Products for network engineering

ROMES

Universal network engineering software platform

R&S®TSMx

Network scanner family for drive and walk tests

Freerider – Backpack system generation 4

Portable solution in backpack form for walk testing

Benefits of our mobile network engineering solutions

Rohde & Schwarz network engineering tools contribute to reduced risk and accelerated time to market. Our solutions support the latest technology and are also suitable for future 6G network testing.

Benefits of our solutions:

Verification of network device interaction: Fundamental functions and objectives of network device interactions are thoroughly tested and validated before network launch.
Continuous network coverage: Network scanner measurements confirm continuous network coverage and refine propagation models used in planning tools.
Informed decision-making: Network engineering results provide critical insights that support informed decision-making in planning a wireless network.