Keysight Technologies

Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT Devices,

Test Challenges and Keysight Solutions

Application Note
Introduction

After successful initial adoption, with pilots rolling out in 2016 immediately upon
standardization work at 3GPP completed, Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT)
deployments are gaining scale around the world. However, the different components that
such services will use, from sensing/actuator devices, embedded modems, and radios to
communications networks need to be tested carefully to guarantee quality for end users.

This application note describes some of the most relevant features of NB-IoT, which make it a
strong candidate among the different Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) options for new
services that aim to improve business performance through use of the Internet of Things. In
particular the paper discusses test methodologies for two main test challenges: coverage and
battery power consumption.
03 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

IoT Devices: Why Coverage and Battery Runtime Matter

The requirements for Machine Type Communications (MTC) differ from commercial
communications in several aspects, including data throughput, coverage, and battery life. In
MTC, the data can be as small as a few bytes needed to transfer a binary value to represent a
parking space being free or used. However, the device must be reachable by the network even
if it is deployed in unfriendly environments such as indoors or even underground; therefore
exceptional coverage is needed. The battery is an issue for most wireless devices, especially
IoT devices which might be deployed in remote locations with costly access for maintenance.
Excessive battery power consumption can be the difference between investing or not investing
in an NB-IoT technology.

NB-IoT

$
High density Low cost Superior battery Extreme Upgrade
life coverage
–– >10k devices/ –– Modules <$5 –– Up to 10+ –– +20 dB –– To existing
cell –– No fancy years compared to RAN
–– Data rates of features –– Enhanced sleep GPRS infrastructure
10 s of kbps –– Reliable, modes –– Areas of –– Global
–– Low frequency stable difficult access technology
of connections or remote standard
(3GPP)

Figure 1. NB-IoT requirements.

Coverage Enhancement Levels in NB-IoT

One key feature of NB-IoT is that it can adapt the robustness of the Physical Random Access
Channel (PRACH) to the propagation conditions experienced by the devices. In that way,
the cell coverage can be enhanced by increasing the number of repetitions of the access
procedures. The next section will describe how this is used by the device, and will add some
test results that verify the coverage enhancements with a real device.
04 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

Coverage Enhancement Selection by NB-IoT Devices

When an NB-IoT device is powered on, it proceeds to scan the channel and acquire the signals.
As part of the 3GPP Release 13, there are three type of NB-IoT signals: Narrowband Cell
Reference Signal (NRS), Narrowband Primary Synchronization Signal (NPSS) and Narrowband
Secondary Synchronization Signal (NSSS).

The NRS, which is used by the user equipment (UE) to estimate the downlink power, is
transmitted in every valid downlink (DL) subframe. The NPSS and NSSS are used to estimate
frequency and time, with the primary signal transmitted in subframe #5, and the secondary
signal transmitted in subframe #9 but only in even frames.

1 radio frame = 10 ms

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Subframes

Slot 0 Slot 1
12
Subcarriers

0 0.5 1
Time (ms)

Figure 2. NB-IoT downlink frame and subframe structure.

Once the NB-IoT has the needed time, frequency, and power information, it is ready to receive
and decode the Narrowband Physical Broadcast Channel (NPBCH) which transmits the
MasterInformationBlock (MIB-NB) transmitted in subframe 0 with a periodicity of 640 ms.

Through MIB-NB, the NB-IoT device receives information about the operational mode of the
cell, which can be either Stand-alone, In-band or Guard-band. Although all devices support
all three modes, the operator may choose one or more depending on spectrum availability or
network readiness.
05 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

Coverage Enhancement Selection by NB-IoT Devices (Continued)

3 2 1
In-band Guard-band Stand-alone

NB-IoT

NB-IoT
NB-IoT

NB-IoT

NB-IoT
NB-IoT
NB-loT
LTE Frequency
(i.e. 5 MHz, 25 PRB)

Figure 3. NB-IoT deployment modes proposed by 3GPP. In-band makes use of LTE spectrum, Guard-band
uses boundaries of the LTE channel, and Stand-alone is used for GSM spectrum refarming.

The MIB-NB also includes System Information Block 1 (SIB1-NB) scheduling information.
This set of parameters, transmitted over the Narrowband Physical Downlink Shared Channel
(NPDSCH), provides information regarding the cell access, such as Public Land Mobile Network
(PLMN), tracking area codes, cell selection, and scheduling information for other system
information block types.

At this point, the NB-IoT device is ready to initiate the Random Access Procedure. Once
completed, the device will know from the eNB (E-UTRAN Node B) the device-specific radio
configuration.

UE eNB

Cell synchronization and system Synchronization signals and broadcast

information acquisition by the UE
1
Remote access preamble
Random access response (msg2)
RRCConnectionRequest-NB (msg3) 2 Random access procedure
Contention resolution + RRCConnectionSetup-NB

Figure 4. The NB-IoT device starts the Random Access Preamble and declares a selection for the coverage
level.
06 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

Coverage Enhancement Selection by NB-IoT Devices (Continued)

The Coverage Enhancement levels are signaled via SIB2-NB through the Narrowband Physical
Downlink Shared Channel (NPDSCH). Based on measurements of the reference signal’s
received power, the UE will select an entry coverage enhancement level to camp into the cell.
The coverage level will determine the Narrowband Physical Random Access Channel (NPRACH)
resources used by the device and will inform the eNB of the device receiver sensitivity
conditions. In particular, the device may require a certain number of repetitions in order to
guarantee data are successfully received even if the deployment conditions are especially
harsh, as when a utility meter is located underground. Through repetitions, the receiver can
achieve up to 20 dB extra coverage compared to other legacy technologies such as GPRS.

NPRACH resources (48 sc)

Normal Robust Extended

Power level received

NRSRP Thres 1

NRSRP Thres 2

Path loss

Figure 5. Coverage levels in NB-IoT.

07 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

Testing NB-IoT Device Coverage Levels

The Keysight E7515A UXM Wireless Test Set includes two independent 100-MHz transceivers;
each can be configured with different formats in order to check coexistence parameters across
different technologies. The available formats included 2G/3G/LTE-A/Cat M1 and NB-IoT.

To measure NB-IoT coverage levels, the first step is to configure the Cell Power and
Deployment mode, which for the sample used in this case is In-band. This can be done quickly
from the Overview tab in the Base Station Emulation Software (BSE SW).

Figure 6. Red rectangle shows NB-IoT Cell Power and Deployment Mode configuration.

In this case, for the Random Access Procedure, the cell will configure three different NPRACH
resources, each with different settings to represent the different coverage levels introduced
earlier in Figure 5.

Each NPRACH will have different Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) threshold values
and different number of subcarriers offsets. The UE will select the resource depending on the
coverage level.
08 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

Testing NB-IoT Device Coverage Levels (Continued)

Figure 7. NPRACH resources configuration.

With the BSE SW, we configure the power of the cell with three different values: –50 dBm,
–90 dBm, and –115 dBm. Later, we activate the cell and confirm the device completes the
attached procedure with a different coverage level selection which will be reported in the
NB-PRACH.

Figure 8. Different coverage levels selected due to changing power conditions, as reported in the UL
NPRACH.
09 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

Testing NB-IoT Device Coverage Levels (Continued)

A possible variation of this test case could be to add impairments to the channel. The Keysight
E7515A UXM Test Set includes a built-in fader that can easily be configured to make the
channel conditions more complex and help emulate real operator networks to which the NB-IoT
device will be connected.

Figure 9. RF impairments can be added to emulate real channel conditions.

10 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

Battery Consumption in IoT Devices

Power saving techniques
As noted earlier, optimized battery power consumption is key for effective machine type
communications, especially when sensors or actuators will be located in remote places with
difficult access that preclude cost-effective maintenance. In practice and especially for large
scale deployments, the life of the device will be the life of its battery.

Optimized battery runtime is achieved through design; the fact that NB-IoT requirements are
not as strict as LTE (i.e., lower rates, no mobility, no MIMO) makes those device designs much
simpler, with less power consumption. However, that is not enough to achieve the requirement
and other techniques need to be put in place. Further enhancements will come through specific
techniques specified by 3GPP releases.

Release 12 of 3GPP added the Power Saving Mode (PSM) device feature that allows a device
to enter into a deep sleep mode and switch off most of its circuitry. This mode is different
than power off because the device stays registered into the network so that it does not need
re-attach after wakeup. As with a power off state, the device will not be reachable by the
network, but it may wake up if it has some data to transmit or when a parameter called Tracking
Area Update parameter (TAU) expires.

T3412
CONNECTED

T3324
TAU

PSM

Paging occasions UE unreachable

Figure 10. Device can wake up to send uplink data or after TAU is expired.
11 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

Power saving techniques (Continued)

PSM is effective for IoT devices that typically sleep except when they need to transmit data to
other devices. An example could be a humidity sensor that reports measurements on a fixed
schedule.

Release 13 Extended Discontinue Reception (eDRX) applies when the device is either in
connected or idle modes, and better suits those devices for which downlink data is also
important. For the connected states the new DRX cycles have been extended from 2.56 to 9.22
seconds. In the idle state, the paging time window can be extended up to three hours, reducing
the power consumption due to network monitoring.

CONNECTED eDRX

Before Rel-13
UE monitoring control
channel
2.56 s 9.22 s

IDLE eDRX
CONNECTED

Paging time window

Figure 11. eDRX optimizes battery for devices that need to monitor downlink information.
12 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

Battery drain analysis

To verify the correct use of battery optimization techniques, a precise DC power analyzer is a
great tool. To test the NB-IoT device, our choice will be a Keysight N6705B/C, which offers a
wide dynamic range that can measure power from sleep into active modes.

To synchronize the complete test bench, including the DC power analyzer and the network
emulator, we will use Wireless Test Automation Platform, a Keysight software platform that
automates tests and measurements that require different instruments.

Wireless test automated platform

NB-Iot test scenario

NB-IoT emulated network N6705B/C power analyzer

Figure 12. NB-IoT test setup including network and power analyzer.

Our test will start with attaching the device to the NB-IoT cell. In this particular example the
prototype device operates in In-band Mode with single tone configuration. The WTAP scenario
will configure the UXM Network Emulator to generate a trigger when the communication
between the cell and the device starts. This allows the user to check power consumption
during the entire transaction or to check just for specific channels. Through analysis of the
consumption, further device optimizations can be done in the design phase. Also, long test
cycles can be applied at device qualification to guarantee the battery consumption meets the
expected criteria.
13 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

Battery drain analysis (Continued)

Figure 13. Current consumption in the transaction (top) and specific consumption at NB_PUSCH_Req
(bottom).

Conclusions
Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) technology is getting traction in the market due to its
superior features for better coverage and optimized battery power consumption. The IoT will
change the way we live and work, with a promise of better revenues and lower costs across
different sectors. To make good on the promise, it is especially important to guarantee all
elements of the service operate as expected. For NB-IoT devices in particular, Keysight offers
a comprehensive set of design, verification, functional, and conformance test solutions that
support the entire device development cycle.

Reference Websites
More information can be found on the related product pages:
UXM, EXM, T4010S, Conformance Toolset, N6700.
14 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

www.axiestandard.org
AdvancedTCA® Extensions for Instrumentation and Test (AXIe) is an
open standard that extends the AdvancedTCA for general purpose and
semiconductor test. The business that became Keysight was a founding
member of the AXIe consortium. ATCA®, AdvancedTCA®, and the ATCA logo
are registered US trademarks of the PCI Industrial Computer Manufacturers
Group.

www.lxistandard.org
LAN eXtensions for Instruments puts the power of Ethernet and the Web
inside your test systems. The business that became Keysight was a founding
member of the LXI consortium.

www.pxisa.org
PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation (PXI) modular instrumentation delivers a
rugged, PC-based high-performance measurement and automation system.

Download your next insight

Keysight software is downloadable
expertise. From first simulation through
first customer shipment, we deliver the
tools your team needs to accelerate from
data to information to actionable insight.

–– Electronic design automation (EDA)

Learn more at
software
www.keysight.com/find/software
–– Application software
–– Programming environments
Start with a 30-day free trial.
–– Productivity software
www.keysight.com/find/free_trials
15 | Keysight | Critical Test Parameters of NB-IoT, Test Challenges and Keysight Solution - Application Note

Evolving Since 1939 For more information on Keysight

Technologies’ products, applications or
Our unique combination of hardware, software, services, and people can help you services, please contact your local Keysight
reach your next breakthrough. We are unlocking the future of technology. office. The complete list is available at:
From Hewlett-Packard to Agilent to Keysight. www.keysight.com/find/contactus

Americas
Canada (877) 894 4414
Brazil 55 11 3351 7010
Mexico 001 800 254 2440
United States (800) 829 4444

Asia Pacific
Australia 1 800 629 485
China 800 810 0189
Hong Kong 800 938 693
India 1 800 11 2626
Japan 0120 (421) 345
myKeysight Korea 080 769 0800
www.keysight.com/find/mykeysight Malaysia 1 800 888 848
A personalized view into the information most relevant to you. Singapore 1 800 375 8100
Taiwan 0800 047 866
http://www.keysight.com/find/emt_product_registration Other AP Countries (65) 6375 8100
Register your products to get up-to-date product information and
find warranty information. Europe & Middle East
Austria 0800 001122
Keysight Services Belgium 0800 58580
www.keysight.com/find/service Finland 0800 523252
Keysight Services can help from acquisition to renewal across your France 0805 980333
instrument’s lifecycle. Our comprehensive service offerings—one- Germany 0800 6270999
stop calibration, repair, asset management, technology refresh, Ireland 1800 832700
Israel 1 809 343051
consulting, training and more—helps you improve product quality
Italy 800 599100
and lower costs. Luxembourg +32 800 58580
Netherlands 0800 0233200
Keysight Assurance Plans Russia 8800 5009286
www.keysight.com/find/AssurancePlans Spain 800 000154
Up to ten years of protection and no budgetary surprises to ensure Sweden 0200 882255
your instruments are operating to specification, so you can rely on Switzerland 0800 805353
accurate measurements. Opt. 1 (DE)
Opt. 2 (FR)
Keysight Channel Partners Opt. 3 (IT)
www.keysight.com/find/channelpartners United Kingdom 0800 0260637
Get the best of both worlds: Keysight’s measurement expertise and
product breadth, combined with channel partner convenience. For other unlisted countries:
www.keysight.com/find/contactus
(BP-9-7-17)
www.keysight.com/find/uxm
www.keysight.com/find/EXM
www.keysight.com/find/T4010S DEKRA Certified
www.keysight.com/find/N6700 ISO9001 Quality Management System

www.keysight.com/go/quality
Keysight Technologies, Inc.
DEKRA Certified ISO 9001:2015
Quality Management System

This information is subject to change without notice.

© Keysight Technologies, 2017
Published in USA, December 1, 2017
5992-2359EN
www.keysight.com