Rohde & Schwarz has unveiled two innovative configurations for 5G RF and RRM conformance testing. The R&S TS8980S-4A serves as an economical all-in-one solution designed for 3GPP inband test scenarios, while the R&S TS8980FTA-3A is a single-rack solution that encompasses both inband and out-of-band test scenarios.
Rohde & Schwarz is dedicated to creating a safer and more connected world through its Test & Measurement, Technology Systems, and Networks & Cybersecurity Divisions. With a history spanning 90 years, this global technology group has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation in cutting-edge technologies. Their advanced products and solutions empower industrial, regulatory, and government clients to achieve technological and digital sovereignty.
These setups stand out for their compactness, offering unmatched capabilities not found in any other solution currently available. The R&S TS8980 serves as an official 5G conformance test platform, holding approvals from both the Global Certification Forum (GCF) and the PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB). It enables chipset, modem, and end device manufacturers, along with test houses, to conduct RF (TP298) and RRM (TP296) tests compliant with 3GPP specifications.
Moreover, this platform fulfills the testing requirements of network operators and regulatory bodies. Rohde & Schwarz has introduced two new setups within its R&S TS8980 family to address market demands: the R&S TS8980S-4A and the R&S TS8980FTA-3A. These solutions feature reduced hardware and a smaller footprint. The R&S TS8980S-4A is an all-in-one solution for conformance testing, offering automated testing for validated test cases up to 8 GHz and 4 carrier aggregation (4 CA).
It is based on the enhanced R&S CMX500, a 5G signaling tester, making it a cost-effective option. This solution supports 3GPP RX/TX inband conformance test cases, as well as demodulation and radio resource management (RRM) test cases. Customers have the option to upgrade their R&S CMX500 to the R&S TS8980S-4A. This solution is particularly beneficial for 5G device manufacturers looking to conduct in-house inband testing while outsourcing out-of-band testing to a test house.
Automation is facilitated through the R&S Contest software platform, which features an intuitive GUI, advanced debugging tools, and a sophisticated report manager for analyzing big data and utilizing cloud services. The R&S TS8980FTA-3A single-rack solution stands out as the most compact conformance testing option available today. It offers comprehensive support for both inband and out-of-band test scenarios, covering the entire certification process for RF and RRM.
This includes 5G NR compliance per 3GPP standards and carrier acceptance criteria. Traditionally, achieving such capabilities would necessitate a two-rack setup. However, Rohde & Schwarz has managed to condense this system into a single rack, making it suitable for laboratories with limited space. Rohde & Schwarz will be presenting its conformance testing solutions at Mobile World Congress 2024 in Barcelona, located in hall 5 at booth 5A80.