issued 11-10-23
Submitted by keysight technology
As 5G evolves, developments such as the open radio access network (O-RAN) ecosystem, non-terrestrial network (NTN) infrastructure, and 5G low-capability (RedCap) devices continue to gain momentum. Although the introduction of 5G is still underway, the wireless communications industry is already preparing for the next generation of his 6G wireless technology.
With so much development happening all at once, it’s hard to keep up. At the Keysight Wireless Tech Days virtual event, subject matter experts discussed design and development principles essential to today’s RF engineers.
Bring your design to release 17
Enhancements in Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 17 enable a new class of 5G wireless devices. Mobile phone service providers continue to develop NTN technology to provide ubiquitous coverage around the world. Once fully deployed, the NTN infrastructure will revolutionize numerous technologies, from emergency services systems to shipping and logistics tracking.
5G NTN plans to provide satellite services to billions of mobile phone subscribers around the world. However, there are three key challenges that 5G NTN technology must solve.
- doppler shift
- time-varying path delay
- Time-varying path decay
In 5G NTN, the network adjusts the timing of radio frames to the user’s location and proactively compensates for some of the link frequency errors caused by satellite movement. These adjustments make it easier for the user terminal to withstand the characteristics of satellite links. The network broadcast system information block (SIB), which stores information about the satellite’s position and velocity, allows the mobile phone to estimate link status, satellite link delay, and Doppler error in the transmit frequency.
On the first day of Wireless Tech Days, application engineer Randy Becker explained how to use the Keysight NTN testbed to test 3GPP enhanced handset compliance. This demonstration showed how to obtain delay and error measurements, demodulated uplink signal constellation, spectrum, error vector magnitude (EVM), and uplink/downlink he throughput. In addition, Mr. Randy tested how the NTN handset performs his SMS and video streaming functions.
Also on the first day, 5G Strategic Planner Manuel Blanco explained NTN’s Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) applications. Originally conceived as a technology to connect low-cost IoT devices with limited power consumption and throughput requirements, developers have developed NB-IoT over NTN as a means to support ubiquitous coverage to mobile phones. I plan to use it for text messages, voice communications, and multicast firmware updates. .
Manuel demonstrated how to use the UXM 5G network emulator for laboratory satellite emulation while testing NB-IoT enabled mobile phones in an off-grid scenario. The demo featured geostationary orbit (GSO) and non-geostationary orbit (NGSO). Manuel explained how he configured the NB-IoT cell to his NTN cell using various delay and Doppler settings. Miguel-Angel Guijarro, 5G Product Manager, performed detailed compliance testing and automation on the Keysight platform, in addition to measuring uplink/downlink throughput and block error rate (BLER), EVM, and frequency error. I did.
Check out the latest information from NTN here: keysight.com/find/ntn
Taking open RAN to the next level
The evolution of Open RAN, defined by the O-RAN Alliance, continues to reshape radio access networks. Open RAN has a significant impact on improving network energy efficiency. This was the main focus of Day 2 of Wireless Tech Day. O-RAN equipment requires three different test categories:
- O-RAN compliant
- 3GPP compliant
- energy efficiency test
O-RAN conformance testing primarily focuses on protocols, while 3GPP conformance testing primarily deals with RF performance. Energy efficiency testing requires engineers to measure energy consumption along with protocols and RF performance. To optimize the energy efficiency of communication systems, equipment manufacturers and network operators must:
- Deal with different requirements efficiently
- Test and correlate data across various domains including RF, protocols, and energy plane (E-plane)
- Automate tests to keep pace with innovation
Engineers need an integrated test strategy that can measure radio performance against three different standards and cross-correlate the results. Additionally, developers need to automate their testing strategies for optimal regression testing between firmware releases.
Jean Dassonville, RAN Solutions Planner, demonstrated static O-RAN radio unit testing using the Keysight E-plane testbed. This solution leverages his 3GPP and O-RAN solutions and extends functionality to his E-plane.
The time-synchronized analyzer included in the automation solution platform acts as a distributed unit (O-DU) emulator and performs DC measurements using a regenerative power system. The RF power sensor is time-synchronized with the O-DU emulator for time-gated measurements.
Learn more about Open Ran: Learn more about O-RAN
Performing 5G to 6G component testing
On the final day of Wireless Tech Days, Nizar Messaoudi, Heather Richardson, Afsi Moaveni, and Dr. Joel Dunsmore discuss how Keysight’s network analysis solutions simplify test setup while enabling insight into cutting-edge components. We talked about it.
VNA Product Manager Nizar demonstrates use cases for transmit/receive (T/R) modules, low noise amplifiers (LNAs), and power amplifiers (PA) characterization of the new Keysight ENA-X network analyzer Did. The T/R module supports the performance of modern communication systems through its three main features:
- Boost the transmitted signal to maximum radiated power
- Establishing system noise figure during receive operation
- Provides beam steering control and angular accuracy
The power amplifier occupies the final stage of the transmitter, while the LNA is the first stage of the receiver. As a result, the PA determines the overall transmitter distortion, and the LNA limits the receiver sensitivity. Furthermore, the power amplifier’s DC power consumption is the biggest factor determining the overall efficiency of the T/R module. Although many component parts contribute to the successful operation of his T/R module, such as phase shifters, attenuators, and limiters, it is the amplifier that most severely limits the module’s transmit and receive performance. Therefore, to optimize the performance of the T/R module shown in Figure 5 used in phased array applications, engineers must start by characterizing the receiver LNA and transmitter PA.
Characterizing the operation of T/R modules places high demands on the performance and flexibility of the test system. The test system must support both transmit and receive test modes while maintaining accuracy and maximizing throughput.
In his demonstration, Nizar demonstrated how the ENA-X network analyzer, MXG signal generator, and modulation distortion (MOD) software work together to provide the precise calibration needed for accurate PA, LNA, and T/R module measurements. demonstrated that it provides a wideband signal. The upconverter integrated in port 1 of the ENA-X takes the modulated signal from the MXG and boosts it up to a maximum frequency of 44 GHz. ENA-X’s wide dynamic range and vector error correction minimize the EVM of the test set, allowing you to clearly evaluate PA and LNA performance without interference from the test set. For even faster amplifier characterization, ENA-X enables his EVM with optional demodulation using MOD software, which uses spectral correlation to resolve linear and nonlinear signal components. .
To simplify noise figure calibration, ENA-X provides two integrated low-noise receivers, reducing fixation work and allowing ENA-X to measure T/R modules in either direction . Engineers only need to connect and calibrate the test set once to collect standard network analysis measurements combined with cold source noise figures.
In the next demonstration, Senior Applications Engineer Afsi and Keysight Researcher Dr. Joel demonstrated power amplifier characterization on a multiport PXI VNA. With features similar to the ENA-X network analyzer, his PXI VNA further provides a configurable platform ideal for manufacturing applications. During the demonstration, Dr. Joel highlighted the direct receiver access available on PXI network analyzers. Direct access to the receiver allows engineers to incorporate loop booster amplifiers or directional couplers into measurements while maintaining the quality of the incident modulated signal and her VNA calibration of the internal receiver.
Application Engineer Heather tested a power amplifier using the high-performance Keysight PNA-X network analyzer’s wideband active load pull solution. Amplifier designers must test their devices under variable load conditions for robustness and degradation testing. Based on the capabilities of the modulation distortion software, Heather describes how to use a PNA-X VNA and dual channel Keysight VXG signal generator to control gamma loading conditions across the entire modulation bandwidth while measuring low residual EVM. was demonstrated.
Improving bandwidth and spectral efficiency are paramount to delivering the wireless telepresence and massive connectivity promised by 6G. To develop his 6G components to maximize bandwidth utilization, engineers need test platforms that handle the additional noise power. In the final demonstration at Wireless Tech Days, 6G Marketing Director Sarah Laselva and University of Stuttgart Research Scientist Benjamin Schoch demonstrated how 6G Vector Component Analysis (VCA) solutions support H-band amplifiers under broadband modulated signal stimulation. showed how to characterize it. This demonstration showcased the ability of her 6G VCA solution to move the test reference plane to the reference plane of the device under test, allowing for higher performance measurement accuracy.
Take the next step towards innovation
Continued advances in 5G technology, including the O-RAN ecosystem, NTN infrastructure, and 5G RedCap devices, are rapidly gaining momentum and engineers must keep up with evolving standards. While the rollout of 5G continues, the telecommunications industry is already turning its attention to the next generation of his 6G wireless technology.
This rapid pace of development makes it difficult to always have the latest information. Navigate the ever-evolving wireless technology landscape with help from industry experts. Check out the Keysight Wireless Tech Days virtual event on-demand to gain important insights into fundamental RF design and development principles.
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At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to deliver world-changing technologies. As an S&P 500 company, we provide market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions that help engineers develop and deploy faster with less risk throughout the product lifecycle. We are a global innovation partner that enables customers in the communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. For more information, please visit the Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.
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