Rohde & Schwarz plays a strong hand at MWC 2019

In the spotlight will be novel test and measurement solutions for 5G NR device and base station testing in the sub 6GHz and mmWave frequency ranges – also known as FR1 and FR2 – for both development and production.

Solutions for signalling and non-signalling testing of 5G NR devices, including two new wireless communication testers will be demonstrated. Since traditional testing is not suitable for the active antenna systems used in upcoming devices, Rohde & Schwarz has developed an over-the-air test solutions based on shielded test chambers.

This includes a solution for testing in extreme temperatures ranging from –40 °C to +85 °C, as well as a compact antenna test range setup (CATR) for device verification and conformance testing.

The company will also showcase novel cloud-based testing concepts that leverage the benefits of cloud computing for advanced test applications.

Automated test scenarios, e.g. for 5G NR base station testing, benefit from fast data processing for signal analysis.

Mobile network operators endeavouring to take advantage of 5G must overcome the challenges of the increasingly complex air interface and demanding use cases in order to deliver the required quality of experience (QoE) to end users. Mobile network testing solutions presented by Rohde & Schwarz enable operators to cover test scenarios and technologies over the entire network lifecycle from the lab to the field.

One of the highlights is the Smart platform, a software suite that combines high-quality data acquisition with intelligent analytics to generate QoE-centric network insights, allowing operators to identify critical factors influencing network performance.

SmartAnalytics software features the integrated network performance score (NPS), a single quality metric methodology that provides the ideal point of reference for facilitating targeted improvements in network quality and performance.

Other highlights include the world’s first mobile network testing solution for 5G NR, enabling operators and infrastructure vendors to measure 5G NR network coverage, performance and operation to ensure that when 5G transitions from trial networks to commercial deployment are made, these networks deliver the required performance and quality.

The consumption of mobile video content is rapidly increasing, and there are limitations in covering this demand and satisfying mobile consumers’ QoE via current mobile network infrastructures.

To address these issues and enable new business models, 3GPP has defined major standard enhancements with FeMBMS (Further evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service) in Release 14. In Barcelona, Rohde & Schwarz will present a solution for the future of media delivery based on these enhancements. By deploying a high-power high-tower (HPHT) network topology as an overlay, the distribution of media & entertainment content will be more efficient and cost-effective.

And mobile consumers of live content such as major sports events will benefit from highest video quality (beyond HDTV), low latency and ensured availability of live streaming services.

As part of the Bavarian research project 5G TODAY, Rohde & Schwarz is investigating large-scale TV broadcast transmissions in the FeMBMS mode in an HPHT 5G Broadcast field trial near Munich. At MWC 2019, the company will highlight the advantages of this technology via live transmission to a mobile device at the Rohde & Schwarz booth.

Cities will become smarter by connecting everything. Millions of connected devices that enable a smarter and safer world rely on affordable connectivity designed for decades of operation. IoT modules and components need to be cost-efficient and offer high reliability, long lifetime and security.

Comprehensive test solutions that cover IP security to production will be showcased including NB-IoT field-to-lab testing under real network conditions, evaluating NB-IoT power consumption under real-world conditions and present IP security solutions.

In terms of wireless connectivity, Rohde & Schwarz will demonstrate the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) testing solution covering both direct test mode (DTM) and over-the-air tests under signaling conditions and a solution for WLAN IEEE 802.11ax 2x2 MIMO signaling testing.