Qualcomm Technologies, Iridium Communications, and Rohde & Schwarz have teamed up to test Snapdragon® Satellite, a solution that brings satellite-based connectivity to next-generation Android smartphones. Smartphone manufacturers can use Rohde & Schwarz test equipment, such as the R&S CMW100 wireless tester, backed by the Qualcomm® Development Acceleration Resource Toolkit (QDART) to ensure proper functionality and validate Iridium® waveforms in both R&D as well as production testing. The partnership aims to provide smartphones with global coverage.
Qualcomm Technologies has endorsed Rohde & Schwarz’s R&S CMW100 communications manufacturing test set for use with the Qualcomm® Development Acceleration Resource Toolkit (QDART) to authenticate Iridium waveforms in the new Snapdragon® Satellite solution. The R&S CMW100 is the first test and measurement equipment to support non-signaling R&D as well as production testing of this feature, which will allow Android smartphones to provide Iridium Communications’ global emergency and two-way messaging services with greater reliability.
Snapdragon Satellite, which is backed by Iridium, the satellite provider, and powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, will make it possible for smartphones to provide worldwide connectivity and assist two-way emergency messaging, SMS texting, and other messaging apps in areas that are remote, rural, or offshore. Iridium’s weather-resistant L-band spectrum is utilized for both the uplink and downlink operations in this smartphone solution.
The R&S CMW100 communications manufacturing test set is included in Rohde & Schwarz’s range of single-box testers, which offer versatile and effective testing instruments for all contemporary cellular and non-cellular standards. The R&S CMW100’s RF interface is adaptable, allowing for the simultaneous testing of up to eight devices. It has an uninterrupted frequency range of up to 6 GHz and an RF bandwidth of up to 160 MHz. The test platform features a variety of techniques that cut down on testing time and optimize capacity utilization, resulting in high measurement performance and precision.
For advanced wireless technologies, Rohde & Schwarz offers the R&S CMP180 with an enhanced frequency up to 8 GHz and bandwidth up to 500 MHz. Double the number of analyzers (2xVSA), generators (2xVSG), and RF ports (2×8) enable even more simultaneous measurements of technologies and devices in a VSA/VSG single-box tester. Both instruments are validated by Qualcomm Technologies for QDART, making them a future-proof investment for OEMs.
Christoph Pointner, Senior Vice President Mobile Radio Testers at Rohde & Schwarz said, “We are honored to be first in line to support Qualcomm Technologies and Iridium Communications in their joint efforts to bring connectivity from pole to pole to the Android ecosystem. Our R&S CMW100 is a tried-and-tested solution for receiver and transmitter tests of cellular and non-cellular technologies on all wireless devices. Being validated for QDART for Iridium waveforms means that OEMs can be confident that our test solution is ready to fulfil their testing needs, whether in the lab or on the production line.”
Francesco Grilli, Vice President of Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies Inc said, “We have been close partners with Rohde & Schwartz for years and are delighted to continue leveraging their technology for testing purposes on such an important capability within our Snapdragon mobile platform.”
Joel Thompson, Head of Product at Iridium Communications said, “Rohde & Schwarz is a great partner for the various test regimes used for Snapdragon Satellite. The R&S CMW100 and its high measurement performance and limited test time have been a strong asset in launching this capability with Qualcomm Technologies.”
Rohde & Schwarz is presenting a demonstration at Mobile World Congress 2023 from Hall 5, Booth 5A80 at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona. The demonstration showcases a radio communications tester performing Iridium waveform verification in accordance with QDART for a Snapdragon® 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform. This setup allows visitors to see firsthand the capabilities of the Rohde & Schwarz equipment, which is used to ensure proper functionality and validation of Iridium waveforms.
