3GPP base station conformance testing

Meeting 3GPP specifications for base stations according to TS 38.104

Base stations need to pass conformance tests in the region where they will be installed before they can start operation in the field. For base stations the 3GPP specification TS 38.141 covers transmitter and receiver characteristics of base stations as well as receiver performance under noise and fading conditions. For 5G NR the 3GPP specifications and defined measurements are documented in TS 38.141-1 for conducted conformance testing and TS 38.141-2 for radiated conformance testing. Those refer to 3GPP TS 38.104 requirements on base station conformance.

Easy and user-friendly signal generation as well as standardized signal analysis of all individual measurements is essential, to quickly test and measure in full accordance to the specification. 3GPP conformance tests require high-performance measurement instruments providing wide analysis bandwidth and powerful analysing capabilities as well as high output power and wideband signal generation functionalities. A cost-effective verification that the receiver is able to meet performance requirements under real-world conditions is needed.

With the evolution of base stations, it is not only necessary to be able to perform 3GPP conducted conformance testing in a conducted manner, as well as radiated conformance testing over-the-air.

Leading-edge test solutions for all 3GPP base station conformance testing

Rohde & Schwarz offers a broad solutions portfolio for base station conformance testing. The solutions range from high-performance signal generators and signal analyzers to turnkey test systems including shielded chamber environments.

Typically, base station conformance testing is performed with a combination of a vector signal generator and a signal and spectrum analyzer. The R&S®FSW signal and spectrum analyzer is an outstanding tool for testing spurious emissions of base station transmitters and receivers. It includes all parameters to conduct 3GPP base station conformance defined measurements.

The R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator is the perfect platform for testing base station receiver characteristics as well as performance. By offering an optional fading simulator it becomes a single box solution. The R&S®SMW200A is able to generate the wanted and interference signals, perform fading using presets for the corresponding channel models, add AWGN and provide the real-time HARQ feedback signals required for 3GPP TS 38.141 Chapter 8 performance testing.

A test case wizard helps users to quickly configure all relevant specification-compliant test cases by using built-in presets for the FRCs (Fixed Reference Channels) and TMs (Test Models).

In addition to leading solutions for 5G BTS testing, the Rohde & Schwarz portfolio also includes a wide range of anechoic chambers for over-the-air conformance testing, optimized in size and performance. These include the R&S®PWC200 small footprint plane wave converter for FR1 massive MIMO base station testing and the R&S®ATS1800C compact 3GPP-compliant OTA chamber for 5G NR mmWave signals.