Mobile network infrastructure testing at MWC21

R&D testing at the edge of 5G with 67GHz vector signal generator

The Rohde & Schwarz signal generation and analysis solutions portfolio meets 5G bandwidth and frequency requirements and includes software applications to address 5G testing challenges. At MWC21, Rohde & Schwarz will demonstrate a setup to test 5G NR physical layer parameters, which will be included in Release 17.

As part of this setup, the company will present for the first time the new microwave frequency option up to 67GHz for the R&S SMW200A vector signal generator. The setup consists of the signal generator and the R&S FSW85 high-end signal and spectrum analyser, which supports image-free spectrum analysis at up to 90GHz and up to 8.3GHz of internal analysis bandwidth. Release 17 will include new parameters for signal bandwidth, subcarrier spacing and modulation.

These key physical layer parameters are already covered by the signal generation and analysis tools, since both instruments can easily handle these demanding signals with wide bandwidth up to 2GHz at high frequencies. Such a setup allows R&D engineers to implement and test the performance of next generation 5G components and devices. The new 5G NR features and the new frequency option for the R&S SMW200A will be available later this year.

Midrange RF test with effective characteristics

Rohde & Schwarz redefines midrange testing with the R&S SMM100A vector signal generator and the R&S FSVA3000 signal and spectrum analyser. Designed with best-in-class RF characteristics to bring laboratory performance to the midrange test market, these instruments support up to 1GHz of signal generation and analysis bandwidth and place an emphasis on high-quality measurement characteristics for generating and analysing signals for the most advanced 5G NR devices.

Both instruments feature a frequency range of up to 44GHz and are well suited for the complexity of today's standard 5G projects as well as emerging 5G and WiFi standards. The two benchtop instruments offer advantages in performance and flexibility by providing out-of-the-box functionality and reducing complexity.

For developers who are moving on from FR1 to FR2 components and devices and want to upgrade their test instruments, Rohde & Schwarz will present at MWC21 the R&S FE44S (single transmit/receive) and R&S FE50DTR (dual transmit/receive) frontend modules to cover frequencies up to 44GHz and 50GHz, respectively. The frontends enable the up-conversion and down-conversion of signals, allowing low-loss transmission at the lower intermediate frequency.

This results in higher sensitivity on the receiver path and more power on the transmitter path. Furthermore, the modules can be mounted close to the OTA test chamber and provide excellent RF performance at a competitive price.

High speed RF testing for BTS production

The R&S SMM100A vector signal generator and the R&S FSVA3000 signal and spectrum analyser can also be used as RF test solutions for speed-optimised production tests of 5G base stations. Rohde & Schwarz will be demonstrating R&S Server Based Testing, a scalable high speed measurement analysis platform that separates the RF data capturing, performed by the test instruments, and the data processing, performed by the server.

The COTS solution is designed for highly repetitive testing scenarios such as BTS production and RF component characterisation. In applications with complex multicarrier component signals, R&S Server Based Testing delivers both unprecedented measurement speeds and flexibility thanks to its parallelisation approach and a simplified interface.

Rohde & Schwarz will be showcasing highlights from its mobile network infrastructure testing portfolio at Mobile World Congress 2021 from June 28th to July 1st at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona in hall 3, booth 3K30, as well as online via the Rohde & Schwarz Signals webpage.