TE S T & ME ASUREMENT HANDBOOK
How standards and conformance tests shape the future of 5G New Radio Specs for 5G NR release-15 have been finalized and plans call for product introductions this year.
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 12 months. Is 5G at the tipping point? The MerriamWebster dictionary defines a tipping point as a point of no return, after which significant transformation occurs. 5G New Radio (NR) has come a long way with Release-15 standard frozen in June 2018. You may hear some industry experts say the standards are
SHERI DETOMASI | KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
complete, but are they really? Let’s 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 workflow: 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 3GPP 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.
3G PP specs Minimum requirements
Conformance tests TS 38.141-1: Part 1: Conducted conformance testing for FR1
Base station
TS 38.104
TS 38.141-2: Part 2: Radiated conformance testing for specific base station configurations in FR1 and FR2 TS 38.521-1: Range 1 Standalone – FR1 Conducted tests
User equipment
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TS 38.101
DESIGN WORLD — EE NETWORK
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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
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The minimum requirements and the conformance test specifications and test methods for all frequency ranges can be found in several 3GPP documents.
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6/7/19 1:10 PM
