First approval for FR2 mmWave 5G test system

Rohde & Schwarz has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first company to certify a test system for the latest 5G FR2 millimetre wave wireless technology. This achievement marks a major step forward in the validation of radio resource management (RRM) performance for 5G New Radio (NR) devices. The certification obtained from the Global Certification Forum (GCF) is crucial for accelerating the deployment of 5G services in standalone (SA) mode, eliminating the need for a cellular basestation.

The approval obtained by Rohde & Schwarz is specifically targeted at devices operating in 5G NR standalone mode within the FR2 band, ranging from 24GHz to 70GHz. These devices are designed to handle multiple angles of arrival, ensuring efficient management of resources. This certification enables device manufacturers to ensure global compatibility of their products with mobile networks utilizing mmWave frequencies and operating in 5G SA with a genuine 5G core network.

One of the key offerings from Rohde & Schwarz is the 5G mmWave RF module, which is tailored for 28GHz fixed wireless access. Additionally, the company provides a unified test system capable of conducting measurements for both 5G FR1 and FR2 technologies. The R&S TS8980, known for its compact design, serves as a comprehensive conformance testing solution aligned with the requirements set by GCF, PTCRB, and regulatory bodies.

This versatile test system supports the entire device certification process, covering a wide array of technologies including 5G NR based on 3GPP standards and carrier acceptance specifications. Available in various configurations, the R&S TS8980 caters to different testing needs, ensuring thorough evaluation of devices for compliance and performance.

Ensuring compliance with critical RRM test cases is becoming increasingly crucial as the demand for wireless 5G routers and customer premises equipment (CPE) rises, particularly for fixed wireless access (FWA) applications. These test cases play a vital role in guaranteeing a reliable end-user experience, especially in challenging network conditions such as blockages or at the cell edge.

The testing platform developed by Rohde & Schwarz is built on the CMX500 5G network emulator and incorporates the R&S ATS1800M anechoic chamber series along with a device under test (DUT) positioner. Thomas Eyring, Senior Director of Device Certification at Rohde & Schwarz, emphasized the importance of their technology in ensuring the quality and reliability of 5G devices, addressing challenges in the FR2 frequency range, and preparing for the upcoming FR3 frequency range expected to be pivotal in 6G networks.