This year at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Rohde & Schwarz will be showcasing solutions for 5G NR, mobile networks and the internet of things (IoT), to wireless connectivity and connected cars. And for the first time at MWC, Rohde & Schwarz will showcase its 5G Broadcast solution. MWC 2019 is set to take place from February 25 to 28, 2019. We have listed a few solutions from R&S that will be on display at their booth in Barcelona.
5G NR device and base station testing and massive MIMO testing
From components and chipsets to assembled user devices and base stations, Rohde & Schwarz test solutions help the industry to bring 5G NR products to market more quickly and reliably. At MWC 2019 will be a wide range of novel test and measurement solutions on display for 5G NR device and base station testing in the sub-6 and mmWave frequency ranges – also known as FR1 and FR2 – for both development and production.
For example, Rohde & Schwarz will showcase its solutions for signaling and non-signaling tests of 5G NR devices, including two new wireless communication testers. With traditional testing not suitable for active antenna systems used in upcoming devices, Rohde & Schwarz has developed innovative over-the-air test solutions based on shielded test chambers. This includes a solution for testing in extreme temperatures ranging from 40°C to +85°C, as well as a compact antenna test range setup (CATR) for verification and conformance testing.
R&S will showcase novel cloud-based testing concepts that leverage the benefits of cloud computing for advanced test applications. Automated test scenarios, e.g. for 5G NR base station test, benefit from fast processing of data for signal analysis.
Mobile network testing solutions delivering optimal quality of experience
Mobile network operators endeavoring to take advantage of 5G must overcome the challenges of increasingly complex air interface and demanding use cases in order to deliver the required quality of experience (QoE) to end users. At MWC 2019, mobile network testing solutions presented by Rohde & Schwarz enable operators to seamlessly cover test scenarios and technologies along the entire network lifecycle from the lab to the field.
Among the highlights is the Smart platform that combines high-quality data acquisition with intelligent analytics to generate QoE-centric network insights, allowing operators to identify critical factors influencing network performance. SmartAnalytics features the integrated Network Performance Score (NPS), a single quality metric methodology that provides the ideal point of reference for facilitating targeted improvements in network quality and performance.
Other highlights include the world’s first mobile network testing solution for 5G NR, enabling operators and infrastructure vendors to measure the 5G NR network coverage, performance and operation to ensure that when 5G transitions from trial networks to commercial deployment, it delivers the required performance and quality.
Live Video delivery: Best QoE via LTE/5G Broadcast
The consumption of mobile video content is rapidly increasing and cannot be addressed only via a point-to-point unicast data transmission. To overcome these limitations, 3GPP has defined major standard enhancements with Further evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (FeMBMS) in Rel. 14. This enables building a high-power high-tower (HPHT) broadcast network topology as an overlay in order to distribute media and entertainment content in the most efficient way directly to smartphones and tablets over LTE and 5G. The mobile consumption of live content will especially benefit from the highest video quality, low latency and ensured availability of live streaming services. As a part of the Bavarian research project 5G TODAY, Rohde & Schwarz is investigating large-scale TV broadcasts in the FeMBMS mode over an HPHT LTE Broadcast network near Munich. The company will present the advantages of this technology via live transmission to a mobile device at the Rohde & Schwarz booth.
IoT and wireless connectivity testing
Cities will become smarter by connecting everything. Millions of connected devices that enable a smarter and safer world to rely on affordable connectivity designed for decades of operation. IoT modules and components need to be cost-efficient and offer high reliability, long lifetime and security. To fulfill these requirements, Rohde & Schwarz provides comprehensive test solutions from security to production. At MWC 2019, Rohde & Schwarz will perform NB-IoT field-to-lab testing under real network conditions, as well as evaluation of NB-IoT power consumption under real-world conditions and IP security solutions.
In terms of wireless connectivity, Rohde & Schwarz will demonstrate two world’s firsts: the first Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) testing solution, covering both, direct test mode (DTM) and over-the-air tests under signaling conditions; as well as the first solution for WLAN IEEE 802.11ax 2x2 MIMO signaling testing.
Driving force in connected car testing
Vehicles are getting increasingly connected. One of the considered technologies for the connected car is 3GPP cellular vehicle-to-everything (C-V2X), based on 4G LTE and with a roadmap to 5G V2X. Fundamental requirement for the successful deployment of V2X communications is robust RF testing. To address the needs of this fast advancing technology, Rohde & Schwarz has developed a strong portfolio for the automotive industry and its suppliers. These state-of-the-art test and measurement solutions for C-V2X testing for R&D and production based on the well-established wireless communication tester from Rohde & Schwarz will also be on display at MWC2019.
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