5G is expected to debut commercially in 2020. To do so, a great deal of research and standardization work needs to be done. Rohde & Schwarz has been helping developers identify potential technologies for accessing 5G mobile networks. At the 5G Global Summit, held in Busan, South Korea, on October 20 and 21, 2014, Rohde & Schwarz presented an extremely compact test setup for generating and analyzing signals up to 67 GHz. The test setup consisted of the R&S SMW200A high-end vector signal generator (up to 20 GHz), a harmonic mixer from subsidiary Radiometer Physics GmbH (RPG) and the R&S FSW67 high-end signal and spectrum analyzer. This test setup enables users to evaluate potential new physical air interface technologies for future 5G networks, helping to drive the development of components, antennas and chipsets for future base stations and wireless devices.
The R&S SMW200A features two integrated RF paths up to 20 GHz and a wideband I/Q modulator with a bandwidth of 2 GHz. The internal baseband section with an I/Q modulation bandwidth of 160 MHz supports all digital communications standards, with the option to add fading simulators as needed. The integrated ARB generator can be used to generate high-quality, complex, digitally modulated waveforms. In combination with RPG harmonic mixers, it is possible to generate signals for all relevant frequencies, for example into the E band (60 GHz to 90 GHz). The R&S FSW67 analyzes signals in the frequency range up to 67 GHz at an analysis bandwidth of 500 MHz and offers a 2 GHz analog IF output for further analysis of broadband signals, making it ideal for the challenging T&M tasks associated with the 5G development phase.
5G will not simply extend existing LTE/LTE-Advanced systems, it will also create a new technological framework to support a variety of different application scenarios and a sharp increase in the number of wireless devices. One way to meet the demand for more system capacity and higher data rates is to extend the spectrum into the millimeter-wave range. The up to 67 GHz test solution presented by Rohde & Schwarz meets this requirement.
More information on R&S’ contributions and research towards 5G can be seen here: www.rohde-schwarz.com/ad/press/5g
