Evaulation_Engineering_August_2020 - 18

COMMUNICATIONS TEST

In addition, Anritsu recently introduced
its SmartStudio NR (SSNR) environment
for interactive GUI-based functional 5G
device testing. "With a built-in, statemachine-based GUI, SmartStudio NR
emulates the network conditions and communication between a 5G/LTE network
and mobile terminal to implement efficient
functional, application, and software regression tests," said Hendricks. "Among
the tests supported by SmartStudio NR are
network connectivity and carrier aggregation; power consumption and temperature;
IP throughput; messaging/IMS; and applications using an Internet-connected test
server and real application server."
Hendricks said Anritsu offers modular,
flexible solutions that address current
needs while providing a cost-efficient
path to the future. "A perfect example is
the MT8000A, a one-box solution that can

Rohde & Schwarz R&S CMX500 5G radio tester.

"Another example is the antenna test solution R&S PWC200," Stuhlfauth said. "It is
rooted in the longstanding idea of using a
massive MIMO antenna array, not for the
purpose of beamforming, but as a method

Anritsu
MT8000A radio
communication
test station.

conduct tests for 5G non-standalone (NSA)
and standalone (SA) technologies, based
on designated modules and software to
support future 3GPP 5G releases."
Rohde & Schwarz has introduced several
solutions covering all areas of testing 5G,
Wi-Fi 6, and automotive V2X technologies,
according to Stuhlfauth, adding that the
new solutions represent a steady evolution.
"One example to point out is the introduction of a revolutionary operating concept
for mobile radio testers, R&S CMsquares.
It offers not only a web-based operation of
the 5G radio tester R&S CMX500, but allows the configuration of 5G tests ranging
from an interactive mode up to a sequencer
and Python scripting mode for advanced
testing." The solution covers both the FR1
and FR2 5G frequency ranges, he added.

18

EVALUATION ENGINEERING AUGUST 2020

to generate a plane-wave zone in a short
distance. Moreover, this OTA testing method reduces FAC (full anechoic chamber)
size significantly and has recently been approved by the standardization body 3GPP
as a plane wave synthesizer concept for
base-station conformance testing."
Stuhlfauth also mentioned the R&S
CMW platform, which he described as
the first wireless communication tester
supporting Wi-Fi 6 in full signaling mode.
"Now it also supports the 6-GHz frequency
range," he said. "And for automotive V2X
applications, we have extended RF and
signaling testing with higher-layer application testing for LTE based C-V2X. We are
able to offer this solution based on the R&S
CMW thanks to our partner Vector, who
contributed their CANoe .Car2x solution."

He elaborated on the R&S CMW test platform, saying that it together with the R&S
CMX extension covers not only the mobile
radio technologies from 2G to 5G, but also
noncellular technologies. "It's the first tester
supporting Wi-Fi 6 signaling, the first tester
supporting location-based services on 5G,
and the first tester supporting LTE C-V2X
signaling and application testing," he said.
"It's the mobile radio tester with the highest
number of 2G to 5G test cases, including
LTE-M and NB-IoT. The operating concept
with R&S CMsquares using a single userinterface for wide-based application range
mobile-radio testing, and the R&S Contest
for protocol and RF conformance testing,
sets the optimized GUI for each purpose.
The internal fading solution for signal generators and mobile radio testers reduces
hardware size and cost."
Finally, Stuhlfauth commented on the
trend toward software as a service and
cloud integration, explaining that Rohde &
Schwarz has introduced server- and cloudbased testing as two solutions bringing the
virtual world into the test and measurement space. "Server-based testing offers
dedicated application-specific functionality in a customer environment, allowing the
configuration of repetitive and automated
procedures, while improving speed and
integration complexity," he said. "Cloudbased testing offers R&S test software as a
cloud-based service, making access possible
anytime and anywhere. Users benefit from
a lower total cost of ownership."
According to Jon Semancik, director
of marketing at Marvin Test Solutions,
"The requirement to cost-effectively test
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