(^18) DESIGN WORLD — EE NETWORK 6 • 2019 eeworldonline.com | designworldonline.com
TEST & MEASUREMENT HANDBOOK
How standards and conformance tests
shape the future of 5G New Radio
The development of 5G standards and
their commercial rollout appears to be on
a fast track. Mobile operators and network
equipment makers are conducting field trials
and the first smart phones are expected
out this year. Predictions are that nearly
half of global businesses are either already
deploying 5G networks or plan to deploy
them within the next 1Ó months.
Is 5G at the tipping point? The Merriam-
7ebster dictionary defines a tipping point as
a point of no return, after which significant
transformation occurs. 5G New Radio
( ,) has come a long way with ,elease-1x
standard froâen in une Ó018. 9ou may hear
some industry experts say the standards are
complete, but are they really¶ et½s explore
where we are in the 5G NR rollout with
respect to required tests, challenges,
and risks.
5G products and components require
testing through the ecosystem, including
modems, antennas, sub-systems, and fully
assembled end-user devices. Devices
and base stations will follow with a similar
testing workyow\ research and development
(R&D), design validation, conformance, and
acceptance testing for devices.
Manufacturers must follow many rules
and regulations when bringing mobile
wireless communications products to market.
Testing takes place throughout the product
lifecycle to ensure the end product meets
Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)
specifications and provides the quality of
service mobile operators aim to deliver.
Conformance tests are required by
most vendors before release of a device into
the market. Conformance tests are a key
requirement and involve connecting a device
to a wireless test system and performing the
required ÎGPP tests\
Radio frequency (RF) transmission and
reception performance – minimum level of
signal quality
Demodulation – data throughput
performance
Radio resource management (RRM) – initial
access, handover, and mobility
Signaling – upper layer signaling procedures.
Specs for 5G NR release-15 have been finalized
and plans call for product introductions this year.
SHERI DETOMASI | KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
The minimum requirements
and the conformance test
specifications and test
methods for all frequency
ranges can be found in
several 3GPP documents.
Minimum requirements Conformance tests
Base station TS 38.
TS 38.141-1: Part 1: Conducted conformance testing for FR
TS 38.141-2: Part 2: Radiated conformance testing for
specific base station configurations in FR1 and FR
User equipment TS 38.
TS 38.521-1: Range 1 Standalone – FR1 Conducted tests
TS 38.521-2: Range 2 Standalone – FR2 Radiated tests
TS 38.521-3: Range 1 & 2 Interworking operation with other
ratios – FR1 Conducted and FR2 Radiated
3G PP specs
Keysight — Test and Measurement HB 06-19.indd 18 6/7/19 1:10 PM
amelia
(Amelia)
#1