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Rohde & Schwarz | Rohde & Schwarz Tools | 5G network testing
5G mobile network measurements
5G NR is the new radio access technology for the next generation mobile communication standard that is significantly different from LTE in the following characteristics:
- New frequency bands below and above 6 GHz, promising globally available frequency ranges with the principle ones being: 3.4 to 4 GHz and 26 to 29 GHz.
- Beamforming support for synchronization signals and broadcast channels
- Wide flexibility of physical radio parameters such as channel bandwidth, subcarrier spacing and symbol duration
These characteristics have an impact on the signal propagation and consequently increase the need for accurate coverage measurements to enable and verify correct 5G NR network planning and the rollout of base stations.
The Network Coverage Challenge
Coverage is an important question that has to be answered with confidence for all new technologiesThis 5G NR coverage challenge impacts all phases of the lifecycle of 5G NR networks:
- Before network rollout (pre-installation phase): 5G NR network measurements in trials are the only way to provide insights into the performance of the new technology and to overcome uncertainties before commercial launch.
- At commercial network rollout (installation phase): 5G NR network measurements verify 5G NR network planning and site installation, for example to determine if the planned cluster and network coverage will be successful.
- In network optimization phase: 5G NR network measurements can verify the handover areas between sites, cells and beams and at the same time limit the interference between cells to increase the provided capacity.
- Trouble shooting: 5G NR network measurements help find root causes of potential problems in networks, e.g. coverage holes, high interference causing too low capacity, etc.
- Benchmarking: 5G NR network measurements will also support benchmarking campaigns in the future in order to compare different operators’ 5G NR networks.
5G NR network measurement solutions from Rohde & Schwarz
Beam-specific 5G NR coverage measurements
- In combination with the scanners R&S®TSME6 and R&S®TSMA6, R&S®ROMES offers the first 5G NR network measurement solution that measures true network coverage.
- The solution also verifies the impact of beamforming for synch signals and broadcast channels.
- R&S®ROMES drive test software can connect 5G USB dongles or other pre-commercial devices to monitor the 5G device / network interaction and execute UL tests. It is a universal network optimization tool for collecting and analyzing 5G data.
- This Rohde & Schwarz 5G NR network measurement solutions has been shortlisted for the Global Telecoms Award 2018 in the 5G category called “Advancing the road to 5G”.
- For more detailed information, see our press release on the world’s first 5G NR network measurement solution.
5G over-the-air measurements with the R&S®Spectrum Rider FPH handheld microwave spectrum analyzer
The R&S®Spectrum Rider FPH handheld spectrum analyzer’s frequency coverage up to 31 GHz combined with features such as 6 hour battery life, low weight (2.5 kg), backlit keypad, fast boot time, non-reflective display and ruggedized housing make it optimized for field spectral measurements of 5G signals. The R&S®FPH combined with an appropriate antenna can make over-the-air 5G measurements including occupied bandwidth, spectral emission mask and channel power, thus making it capable of verifying 5G transmissions. With frequency coverage to 31 GHz, the R&S®FPH’s can also be used for spectrum clearance and interference hunting in new 5G bands.