Rohde & Schwarz and MediaTek have jointly successfully verified MediaTek’s 5G RedCap test platform as defined in 3GPP Release 17. RedCap stands for “Reduced Capability” and will support a new range of 5G standalone devices, e.g. B. Industrial sensors for 5G smart factories, logistics, edge AI and always-connected wearables. Rohde & Schwarz tailored its R&S CMX500 OBT mobile radio tester to support RedCap and other Release 17 functions.
Rohde & Schwarz and MediaTek announced today that MediaTek has successfully verified its 5G RedCap test platform with the R&S CMX500 signaling tester. MediaTek can now reliably test, measure and verify its end products.
5G RedCap for mid-tier use cases
With 5G RedCap, the 5G ecosystem receives a technology for machine communication (eMTC) with medium performance requirements. New devices using this technology will bridge the performance and complexity gap between the slow, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) and other, earlier standards, on the one hand, and today’s extremes of 5G, on the other, with an optimized design for mid-tier use cases such as sensors for the Close industrial automation, smart cameras and wearables. 5G RedCap modems are less complex, use less spectrum bandwidth, and consume significantly less power than 5G modems designed for eMBB use cases. They also only work in standalone (SA) mode.
R&S CMX500 supports 5G RedCap and other features of 3GPP Release 17
Rohde & Schwarz, market leader in eMTC and NB-IoT tests, has optimized the R&S CMX500 OBT for IoT tests. Thanks to the improved R&S CMX500 OBT, MediaTek can now verify the various aspects of RedCap as defined in 3GPP 5G Rel. 17, including network access restrictions, bandwidth parts (BWP) and BWP switching, power saving, and other RedCap-specific protocol signaling schemes .
The R&S CMX500 wireless communication tester in its one-box tester configuration is the future-proof, class-leading test solution for all 5G NR tests. It supports all relevant 5G frequencies up to 8 GHz. The intuitive and flexible web-based user interface R&S CMsquares is available for operation. The signaling test solution is suitable for all 5G mobile devices and chipsets and supports all possible 5G NR network implementations and frequency ranges including the FR1, FR2 and LTE bands in a single device. The R&S CMX500 OBT lite represents the base model in terms of hardware configuration and price and is optimized for all RedCap test requirements.
A single testing solution for all phases of the 5G device product lifecycle
The R&S CMX500 enables short time-to-market and supports all early R&D design phases from RF parameter tests, end-to-end application tests and signaling protocol tests to conformance tests for type approval and sample production tests. The one-platform strategy for all 5G NR test devices creates a uniform test environment for signaling and non-signaling tests in all production phases of 5G devices.
Christoph Pointner, Senior Vice President Mobile Radio Testers at Rohde & Schwarz, states: “I am proud that our R&S CMX500 signaling tester supports the industry in 5G development and enables tests of 5G RedCap devices at an early R&D stage. We look forward to continuing our close and longstanding partnership with MediaTek in the future, and we will continue to develop innovative measurement technology to support any future enhancements of RedCap and 5G in the upcoming 3GPP releases after Release 17.”
Dr Ho-Chi Hwang, General Manager of Wireless Communication System and Partnerships at MediaTek, comments: “Continuing our close collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz has enabled MediaTek to reach an important milestone on the way to the next 5G era. MediaTek will implement the new 5G RedCap capabilities in our upcoming product lines, and as one of the world’s largest 5G modem suppliers, this important achievement also gives our customers confidence in their strategic planning and innovation development.”
