Webinar, June 2021

What you need to know about

5G mmWave device testing

Manuel Galozy
Dr. Taro Eichler

C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D
5G is here

560 5G devices User experience Forecast

60 Mbps
280 40 80 5G
announced phones
(incl. variants) 4G
5G 4G
72 137
modules CPEs
Download speed 3G
70 0 0
European countries
120
2G
others
Source: GSA – GAMBoD Jan. 2021 Source: OpenSignal – August 2020 Source: Ericsson – Nov 2020

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Focused on making user’s mobile life easier ….

5G eMBB, mMTC, URLLC

4G Voice, Audio, Video, Apps , …
3G Phone, SMS, Web
2G Phone,SMS
1G Phone
1990 2000 2010 2020 2030
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Modern phones depend on few wireless technologies
to satisfy mobile application users
3GPP drives the 5G NR technology evolution
2018 2019 2020 2021

Release 15 Stage 3 Rel-15 builds the

Release 15 ASN.1 5G NR foundation

Release 16 Stage 1
Rel-16 makes 5G NR ready
Release 16 Stage 2 for the vertical expansion
Release 16 Stage 3
Release 16 Stage ASN.1

Release 17 Stage 1
Release 17 Stage 2
Rel-17 should enable the
long-term 5G NR vision Release 17 Stage 3
Based on 3GPP TSGs#90-e, December 2020, e-meeting
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3GPP Rel. 16 intended to elevate 5G to the next level
and further boost LTE-A
LTE-advanced evolution
• Mobility enhancements by
handover optimization
• DL MIMO efficiency with
improved SRS
• LTE-M/NB-IoT improvements
for power, performance,
efficiency
5G enhancements
• Mobility enhancements
• Improved MIMO performance
• Integrated access & backhaul
• UE power consumption
• Interference handling
• MR-DC & CA enhancements
• ….
5G vertical expansion
• URLLC enhancements
• 2-step RACH
• IIoT/TSN support
• 5G NR-Unlicensed
• 5G positioning methods
• 5G V2x sidelink
• …

6 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing

mmWave test and measurement challenges
With Massive MIMO and higher frequencies OTA testing becomes the default test environment.
Higher frequencies
(mmWave)
Shannon maximum data rate:
• increase with higher bandwidth
• increase with more layers (MIMO)
• increase with S/N (only log increase)
Massive MIMO &
Beamforming
• Beamforming: Increases antenna gain by
bundling transmitted energy and directing it
towards the user.
• Massive MIMO: Very high number of
antenna elements at the transceiver.
Combination of beamforming and spatial
multiplexing.
Over-the-air testing (OTA)
• Higher frequencies are a factor which make
it impractical to supply connections for
testing.
• Measurement in far-field conditions demand
sophisticated T&M solutions. High quality
quiet zone in a compact test system
• RF Performance in Small Test Chamber
Footprints

• With Active Antennas and Massive MIMO

• expanding bandwidth the complexity of measured systems
increases.

Courtesy of Lionix Structured Light

7 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing

FR2 frequency extension

New spectrum for 5G and beyond: bandwidth is the key

A huge frequency spectrum will be available at mm-wave frequencies and beyond
5G 5G+

potential 60 GHz
5G-FR1 5G-FR2 5G-FR2 5G bands unlicensed FR2+ potential 5G bands

f (GHz)
0 7,2 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Band no. Uplink / Downlink Band name CBW Duplex Region / country
n257 26.5 – 29.5 GHz 28 GHz Japan, South Korea, US
n258 24.25 – 27.5 GHz 26 GHz Europe, China
n259 39.5 – 43.5 GHz 41 GHz 50, Global, China
100, TDD
n260 37.0 – 40.0 GHz 39 GHz 200, US, China
400 MHz
n261 27.5 – 28.35 GHz 28 GHz (subset of n257) US
n262 47.2 – 48.2 GHz 47 GHz US

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Time to fulfill the 5G 5G customers want unlimited speed with low latency
FR1
promise of multi-
gigabit connectivity Home offices Mobile gaming Mobile streaming Broadband IIoT

NR-U Bands under study Potential new bands

Different approaches around
the globe to meet customer FR1 FR2 -- mmWave
expectations, 0 GHz 10 GHz 20 GHz 30 GHz 40 GHz 50 GHz 60 GHz

but all drive complexity and

network densification. FR1 band support of announced devices FR2 band support of announced devices
n77/78

n1 n41
n3
n79

N261/257 n260

Source: GSA – GAMBoD Jan. 2021

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UE supported maximum data rate
Three components determine the maximum data rate (3GPP TS 38.306)

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 Data throughput
Three components determine the maximum data rate (3GPP TS 38.306)
Available radio resources
Sradio (symbols / second)
Depends on the numerology
(symbol duration Ts & signaling
overhead OH) and the available
bandwidth resources including MIMO Layers (L)
carrier aggregation MIMO Layers (L) is
CC#1 CC#2.........CC#8 determined by the
number of Tx and Rx
antennas in the base
station and UE and by
Example: Modulation / Coding the radio channel
256QAM QMR(bits/symbol)
(8 bits/symbol) condition number
Depends on modulation
scheme Q and applied Example:
code rate R. Max values 5G NR throughput:
only achievable under 7388 Mbps
perfect radio conditions DL TDD format 31,
SCS120kHz
256QAM@CR948/1024
8CC 100MHz FR2,
11 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing 2 layers (2x2 MIMO)
Performance Testing

From channel sounding to channel models for 5G and beyond

Propagation characteristics at mmWave and THz frequencies (foundation for new PHY layer)
Key concepts:
► Channel models are needed for Reflection &
Diffraction Reflection
system performance evaluation
► Link and system level
simulations for new PHY layer:
pilot distribution in time and free space LOS
frequency
► 3GPP Channel models are
standardized for fair comparison Transmitter Tx Receiver Rx
of simulation results Scattering (NLOS)
► New challenges with 5G-
mmWave and Beyond 5G
Transmitter Receiver CIR
− Extremely extended Signal Signal LOS
frequency range up to 100
GHz and beyond 100 GHz Channel propagation
for 6G) Impulse delay

− Spatial information / 3D Response

beamforming (CIR) Time
t=0 Time t=0

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Collaborative Research with NTT DOCOMO and Fraunhofer HHI
5G channel models in industrial scenarios: production environment measurement
campaigns in Memmingen and Teisnach plants
Measurement Campaign at 3.7 GHz, 28 GHz and 67 GHz Power Delay Profile

„Measurement and Characterization of an Indoor Industrial

Environment at 3.7 and 28 GHz” (EuCAP2020)
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9135943
„THz Channel Sounding: Design and Validation of a High
Performance Channel Sounder at 300 GHz” (IEEE WCNC2020)
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9124887

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Performance testing

Mobile receiver performance assessment

From cabled antenna connectors to OTA. UE testing for 2x2 MIMO with fading
Base Station
Channel Emulator
Emulator

FR1 𝑠0 𝑓, 𝑡
Tx signal Time
𝑥0 𝑓, 𝑡 variant
Radio 𝑠1 𝑓, 𝑡 Cabled antenna connectors
Tx signal Channel
𝑥1 𝑓, 𝑡 𝑭 𝑓, 𝑡

Base Station
Channel Emulator
OTA Channel A
Emulator
FR2
𝑠0 𝑓, 𝑡 a11
Tx signal Time
variant a12
𝑥0 𝑓, 𝑡
Radio 𝑠1 𝑓, 𝑡 a21
Tx signal Channel a22
𝑥1 𝑓, 𝑡 𝑭 𝑓, 𝑡

14 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing Unwanted cross talk

Mobile receiver performance assessment
Setup for calibrating 2x2 MIMO OTA measurements

Goal:

Calibrate channel
matrix H∙A to
1 0
become I = 0 1

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Commercial UE measurement in anechoic chamber
RSRP-B power levels vs. calibration phase for one branch

Reference: „Virtual Cable Calibration for OTA Testing of 5G mmWave Devices “, Taro Eichler, Ute Philipp, Heinz Mellein and Lorenz Rädler,
Microwave Journal (May 2021)

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5G NR RADIO COMMUNICATION TESTER

Future proof 5G NR signaling test platform

FR1 + FR2 in NSA and SA mode

Modular and scalable HW-Architecture

20 Gbps+ End-to-End IP Data Performance capability

FR2 Multiband Remote Radio Support (24 – 43.5GHz)

Single Web-based GUI for RF, Protocol and App Tests

LTE Anchor support for up to 8CC LTE, 8x4 DL MIMO

and 1024QAM (with CMW500)
CMX500 5G NR Signaling Tester

17 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D

 CATR reflector

CHALLENGES IN FR2 OTA chamber, e.g.

RF TESTING R&S®ATS800R
R&S®ATS1800C

► UE operates in different frequency ranges

and BW up to 400MHz
R&S®CMXHEAD
► OTA: Typical path loss = 50+ dB Feed
antenna
DUT
► 2x2 MIMO and limited isolation
between H & V

► Designed for high Data TP R&S®CMW500

→ aggregated channel BW > 1GHz

► UEs using several array antennas

R&S®CMX500

18 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D

5G HW COMPONENTS
LTE Network Emulator - CMW500
• LTE Anchor
CMW500
• Sub6 RF for 5G NR
• DAU für uplane NR & LTE

5G Network Emulator - CMX500

CMX500 • 5G NR FR1 und FR2 L1 stack
• Supports IF connection in the same box
• Max. possible RF BW: 1GHz

Remote Radio Head - CMXHEAD30

• Supports all FR2 bands up to 43.5 GHz
CM-Z30
• Up- and Down converter IF <-> FR2
CMXHEAD30 • Integrated RF switch matrix for RX/TX paths

19 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D

R&S FR2 OTA CHAMBER
R&S®ATS800R R&S®ATS1800C R&S®CMQ500 R&S®TC-TA50CPR
Dual polarized antenna

FR2 UE R&D & Pre-Conformance FR2 UE R&D, conformance & CTIA FR2 Production & R&D FR2 Production & Testing
• 20 cm QZ • 30 cm QZ • Flexible test capability • Used to perform TX and RX
• Cost efficient • Positioner included • Can be rack-integrated measurements

20 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D

CMSQUARES – ALL TOOLS IN ONE PLACE

Interactive Message Remote/Scripting

Sequencer (SCPI/Python)
(Callbox) Analyzer

Throughput Tutorials System Health

Installation
Wizard & Utilisation

21 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D

INTERACTIVE

► Test Environment
► Place of setup
configuration

► Quick access to network,

services (e.g. IP),
measurements and cabling

► DUT centric approach

► Extensive DUT manager
− UE capabilities
− Cabling
− Automation
C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D
DEMO #1

► FR2 Tx and Rx
Measurements using
CMX500 and CMsquares
interactive callbox

C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D
SEQUENCER

► Place of GUI scripting and

automation

► Includes comprehensive
campaign management

► State of the art, future proof

software

► Complete Coverage of 5G
NR R&D tests incl. 3GPP RF
in one application

► Automatic band combination

tests C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D
FR2 Test Requirements

3GPP UE TESTING REQUIREMENTS

► 3GPP Requirements for 5G NR Testing ► PTCRB Requirements for device certification

Test spec. Scope Test plan Scope

TS 38.101/521 RF Conformance (TX & RX) CTIA Test plan for mm- Measure performance and
-1 - FR1 conducted tests wave wireless device OTA path loss of test system (CATL)
-2 - FR2 radiated tests Testing (Version 1.0)
TX and RX Tests (subset of TS
-3 - FR1/FR2 interworking
38.521-2)
(NSA) with radiated tests
-4 in FR2 Phantom head and hands not
Performance (SA / NSA) yet defined
TS- 38.523 Protocol Conformance
-1/2/3
TS 38.133/533 Radio Resource Management
(RRM for SA and NSA)

25 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D

3GPP Specifications

THREE OTA METHODS TO MEASURE RF PERFORMANCE

Beam-peak EIRP CDF TRP

(EIRP) EIS CDF

Link
Antenna

EIRP: Power at any angle direction: EIRP CDF: Power distribution at every TRP: Total radiated power
Eval. target: Signal quality e.g. EVM angle. Eval. target: Emissions e.g. SEM
Eval. target: Spherical coverage

26 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D

3GPP Specifications

OVERVIEW OF UE TX AND RX TESTCASES (TS 38.521-2)

TX test cases RX test cases

Nr. Test description Test Metric Nr. Test description Test Metric
6.2. Max. output power Beam-peak 7.3 Reference sensitivity EIS CDF
TRP
EIRP CDF
6.3 Output power dynamics Beam-peak 7.4 Maximum input level EIS on BP
TRP direction
6.4 Max. output power reduction Beam-peak 7.5 Adjacent channel Beam-peak
w. special requirements selectivity
6.5 Output RF spectrum Beam-peak 7.6. In-band blocking Beam-peak
emissions TRP
6.6 Beam correspondence EIRP CDF 7.9 Spurious emissions TRP

27 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D

DEMO #2

► 3GPP 38.521-2
FR2 RF preconformance
testcase 6.4b.1.4
using CMX500 and
CMsquares sequencer

C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D
HIGH THROUGHPUT TEST WITH NSA
1CC LTE + 8CC FR2 CELL CONFIG
NSA (EN-DC) NSA (EN-DC) SA (NR-DC)
LTE LTE
Minimum Footprint Setup:
FR1 4x4
LTE LTE
LTE
LTE
FR1 2x2
• Compact benchtop setup
for LTE, 5G FR1 and FR2
2x2 FR2

2x2 FR2
• Extension with CMWflexx for more
2x2 FR2
LTE or FR1 layers possible
2x2 FR2

2x2 FR2
• Easy system integration with R&S OTA chambers
2x2 FR2

2x2 FR2

2x2 FR2

29 Rohde & Schwarz 5G mmWave device testing C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D

DEMO #3

► eMBB 7.5 Gbps high data

throughput test using
NSA LTE + 8CC FR2

C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D
Thank you !

C O M PAN Y R E S T R I C T E D