VIAVI validates OTA performance of Nokia MIMO radio in upper 6GHz

As 5G applications push the currently allocated spectrum to its limits, a key focus for future generations of wireless technology is to enable use of new frequency bands with the requisite capacity, coverage, performance and efficiency. According to Nokia, operators will need to increase their TDD mid-band spectrum holdings during the second half of the decade. The allocation of the upper 6GHz spectrum for mobile services, which means a possible 200MHz of mid-band TDD spectrum per operator, was agreed upon at the World Radio Conference 2023.

To test performance of the AirScale platform in the upper 6GHz band in replicated real-world scenarios, Nokia and VIAVI established a proof of concept at Nokia’s Otava lab in Oulu, Finland. The Nokia system under test included a 128TRX Massive MIMO radio based on the Nokia AirScale Habrok platform, configured at the upper part of n104 band (6425–7125MHz).

The NITRO Wireless test solution provided by VIAVI included:

• TM500 network tester, the flagship platform used by network equipment manufacturers worldwide for early functional, system integration, capacity, performance, and regression testing of base stations
• OneAdvisor 800 spectrum and signal analyser, to verify signals transmitted in the downlink for conformance testing and analysis of the 5G channels, including RF characterisation, beamforming, timing, and synchronisation over the air and overall radio base station transmission performance

The following test cases validated upper 6GHz OTA performance:

• Spectrum analysis and peak throughput validation of one Component Carrier (1CC), and two Component Carriers (2CC) with downlink and uplink Carrier Aggregation (CA)
• Performance and capacity validation with hundreds of emulated User Equipment (UEs) and real-world data traffic applications

This proof of concept built on previous lab and field trials conducted by Nokia, focusing on OTA performance of the Nokia Massive MIMO radio in the upper 6GHz band under real-world conditions, and further validating its capability to support development and deployment of 5G-Advanced and 6G networks.

“VIAVI is honoured to have been selected for such a groundbreaking milestone in wireless technology,” said Manuel Mato, Regional Vice President, Europe Middle East and Africa, VIAVI. “As the industry continues to transition from 4G to 5G, and on to 5G-A and 6G, VIAVI is ready to partner with network equipment manufacturers and operators at every stage.”