Munich, Germany. Rohde & Schwarz announced it is enabling the testing and validation of sub-6-GHz 3GPP 5G New Radio (NR)-based devices with the latest version of the R&S CMW100 communications manufacturing test set, based on the R&S CMW platform.

The company said 3GPP’s 5G NR will support frequency ranges up to 52.6 GHz, but initial 5G designs will use frequencies below 6 GHz with a focus on 3.5 GHz. For these sub-6-GHz carrier frequencies, 3GPP currently discusses a maximum bandwidth per component carrier of 100 MHz. Thus, the R&S CMW100 communications manufacturing test set with a measurement bandwidth of 160 MHz is ready for testing initial 5G NR sub-6-GHz wireless devices. Thanks to its high measurement speed, the R&S CMW100 is a suitable solution for high-volume production environments.

The flexible testing solution is suitable for all types of wireless devices, supporting LTE, WLAN, and Bluetooth besides 5G NR sub-6 GHz. This makes the R&S CMW100 a cost-effective solution for mass production of cellular and noncellular (wireless connectivity) devices calibrated and verified in so-called nonsignaling mode (analyzer/generator). Manufacturers of handsets and devices profit from a variety of measurement functionalities with a single investment in equipment, training, and adaptation costs.

Anton Messmer, vice president mobile radio testers at Rohde & Schwarz, said, “The evolution to 5G networks will employ a wider range of spectrum bands. Utilizing spectrum bands below 6 GHz is the decisive aspect of enabling deployments with reliable network coverage. The R&S CMW100 demonstrates Rohde & Schwarz capability to support 5G NR sub-6 GHz and will help accelerate the 5G ecosystem.”

The latest 160-MHz version of R&S CMW100 is available now from Rohde & Schwarz. Dedicated vector signal analysis and generator software options supporting 5G NR sub-6 GHz will be available in 2018. For more information on the R&S CMW100 test set, visit http://www.rohde-schwarz.com/ad/press/cmw100. To learn more about the R&S CMW100 test set for 5G NR sub-6 GHz, watch the video here: https://youtu.be/a409tH8z6oE.