Upgrade enables 5G NR fading tests on one instrument

23rd September 2019

Mick Elliott

0 0

Datasheet

Upgraded 5G Protocol Test functions have been added to Anritsu’s MT8000A Radio Communication Test Station. The upgrade uses NR (New Radio) Fading software when implementing built-in baseband fading tests, making the MT8000A to provide support for 3GPP TS 38.521-4 B.1/B.2 V15.0.0-compliant 5G NR channel (TDL) model tests using NR Fading software implementing built-in baseband fading tests.

A fading test simulates the actual radio-wave propagation environment and is required for development of mobile devices.

Previously, an external 5G RF fading simulator was required, and this is now implemented as an internal fader in the MT8000A, supporting either 2CC 4x4 MIMO tests with one MT8000A unit, or 8CC 2x2 MIMO tests with two units.

As a result, Protocol Test set-up in a fading environment is simpler and elimination of external test equipment as well as compatibility with existing protocol functions helps cut development costs.

Mobile-terminal development requires 3GPP-compliant testing and evaluation to assure interoperability. These tests are not limited to static communications protocols and RF evaluations between mobiles and base stations, but also include Radio Resource Management (RRM) tests simulating a moving mobile unit, as well as evaluations, in a fading environment.

The MT8000A is for mobile-terminal vendors requiring efficient tests with good cost-performance covering a wide range of conditions. It is an all-in-one test platform for RF, Protocol, and Beam tests, as well as for beam-forming evaluations.

In addition to supporting functions for simulating base-station NSA and SA modes required for development of 5G chipsets and terminals, it also supports the latest technologies, such as 4x4 MIMO for increasing data transmission speeds in the Sub-6GHz band as well as 8CC for implementing wideband mmWave.

The MT8000Acovers the key frequency bands used by the first 5G services, such as the Sub-6GHz band (FR1) frequencies of 2.5GHz, 3.5GHz, 4.5GHz, etc., and the mmWave band (FR2) frequencies of 28GHz, 39GHz, etc.

The easy-to-use interface coupled with comprehensive RF measurement and NR fading software makes it easy to configure a reasonably priced cost-effective test environment.