Test & Measurement

Signalling tests for FR1 and FR2 in non-standalone mode can now be performed with the R&S CMX500. To test 5G NR products which use a much higher bandwidth, and active antennae, over-the-air (OTA) measurements are necessary. Rohde & Schwarz has created a portfolio for 5G NR device testing, based on the CMX500 radio communication tester enabling non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) signalling tests in both FR1 and FR2 frequency ranges.

To allow developers to test their mobile devices in 5G NR NSA and SA mode in line with 3GPP specifications, the test must accurately simulate both LTE and 5G NR networks. The CMX500 radio communication tester adds 5G capability to the company’s LTE test systems (CMW500 or CMWflexx), to allow testing from 2G to 5G on one platform. The extension box R&S CMX500 handles various FR1 and FR2, signalling and non-signalling as well as SA and NSA test scenarios, from R&D to certification testing, confirms Rohde & Schwarz.

A key functionality of the R&S CMX500 is signalling tests in FR2 with support for signalling tests in FR1. The tests performed in NSA mode feature both LTE and 5G connections. They verify LTE/5G signalling protocol behaviour, OTA RF/TX measurements, end-to-end data testing with LTE and 5G bearers as well as mmWave OTA signalling and RF measurements.

Signalling test in the new mmWave-based 5G frequency of FR2 requires an OTA test set up or environment. The test set up features the R&S ATS800R CATR rack- based antenna test system with OTA functionalities. Designed for FR2 R&D measurements, it optimises the available lab space by combining a, compact shielding chamber with T&M equipment in the same set up, to minimise footprint. The integrated reflector surface precision provides a sufficiently large quiet zone with high accuracy, says Rohde & Schwarz.

To control the 5G radio communication testers, the test set up includes the newly developed R&S CMsquares unified test software. This integrates the mobile network simulation with test configuration, parameterisation, real time measurements and test result management in a single environment for all relevant use cases from RF parametric testing over protocol analysis to data end-to-end throughput tests.

It provides easiest user guidance via dashboards and customisable workspaces which allow quick access to the various types of 5G measurements. It also has a built-in sequencer to run pre-configured 5G NR test scripts or to create 5G NR test scripts from scratch using a simple drag-and-drop workflow.

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To support the Gen5 Base Specification stressed receiver test, Anritsu has released a PCI Express )PCIe) test solution which uses its MP1900A signal quality Analyzer-R series, which offers automation software for base specification calibration and bit error rate (BER) measurement software supporting the SKP filter. Customers can use it to configure a measurement environment for early-stage development of Gen5 IP and devices, to accelerate the introduction of PCI Express 5.0.

The MP1900A offers all the pattern generation, error detection, jitter generation and noise generation functions required for PCI Express tests in a single unit. Gen1 to Gen5 transmission speeds can be supported by upgrading the equipment via software, for cost-efficient PCI Express testing.

Technologies, such as IoT and artificial intelligence (AI), are expected to see rapid growth as commercial rollout of 5G services make high speed transmission of the required large volumes of data feasible.

Data centers supporting these technologies require increasingly faster processing and greater data handling capacity. This means that data-centre transmission equipment, servers, and storage devices need internal interfaces able to support faster, higher-capacity data transmissions. Base Specification 5.0 of the next PCIe Gen5 standard has been completed and increases data transfer speeds to 32GTerabytes per second. It is evident that equipment needs to be developed to support this standard, said Anritsu.

This release allows Anritsu to support Gen5 Rx tests for IP and inspection of devices in the early stages of standardisation and development, offering all-in-one Gen1 to Gen5 measurement support. Expansion of measurement functions to meet new emerging standards and trends will also help customers design inspection times.

The signal quality Analyzer-R MP1900A series is a multi-channel BER tester meeting the design and verification requirements for high-speed bus interfaces, such as PCI Express 4.0/5.0, USB3.2/4 and Thunderbolt, as well as next-generation network interfaces such as 200G/400G/800G Ethernet. The MP1900A series incorporates a built-in pulse pattern generator for generating high-quality waveforms with what are claimed to be best-of-class levels (e.g. intrinsic jitter of 115 fs rms) and a high-input-sensitivity error detector, as well as a high-accuracy jitter generation source (SJ, RJ, SSC, BUJ), CM-I/DM-I/white noise source, link training function and support for LTSSM analysis.

These features make it suitable for compliance tests, margin tests and troubleshooting. The signal quality Analyzer-R MP1900A series also supports PAM4 evaluation of PAM4 devices, including optical modules and NICs, used by 200G/400G/800G Ethernet in data centres.

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New FCC enhanced targeting rules, due to take effect this month, will mean that providing the ability to geo-target residents who receive wireless emergency alerts (WEA) will soon be a mandatory requirement.

Rohde & Schwarz, in collaboration with LG Electronics Mobile Comm USA have verified WEA 3.0 features related to geo-fencing using an LG G8 ThinQ mobile smartphone. The enhanced targeting rules imposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), require wireless providers to reach 100 per cent of the targeted geographic area specified by government issuers, with no more than a 0.1-mile (160m) overshoot.

WEAs are a critical part of the nation’s emergency readiness system for warning the public about dangerous weather, missing children and other emergencies. Geographic targeting is a necessary mobile device feature as alerting citizens not affected by a specific emergency could cause unnecessary panic and safety risks.

The Rohde & Schwarz solution consists of the R&S CMW500 radio communication tester and the R&S SMBV100B vector signal generator. The solution verifies mobile device signalling according to WEA 3.0 geo-fencing specifications. It can also cover 3GPP conformance and network operator test plans for LTE, WLAN, WCDMA and GSM location-based services.

Bryan Helmick, product manager for mobile radio testers at Rohde & Schwarz USA, explained, “Test systems that can verify device compliance are critical to the successful roll-out of the FCC’s enhanced targeting requirements. This effort between Rohde & Schwarz and LG Electronics helps to further the commercial rollout of WEA 3.0 and geo-fencing.”

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