As 5G networks are rolled out worldwide, the 5G NR standard established by 3GPP continues to evolve. Release 17 of this standard will extend the frequency band usable in unlicensed spectrum (up to 71 GHz), which lies in the millimeter-wave (mmWave) domain. This frequency band is currently used by non-cellular communication technologies governed by standards such as IEEE 802.11ad and IEEE 802.11ay. Rohde & Schwarz and Sivers Semiconductors have joined forces to overcome the new testing challenges posed by this frequency extension, and to evaluate the performance of the latest generation of radio frequency transceiver circuits. Their collaboration has made it possible to validate a solution for testing RF transceivers operated by 5G NR technology up to frequencies of 71 GHz.
By mid-2022, 3GPP release 17 of the 5G New Radio (5G NR) standard will extend the supported frequency spectrum to 71 GHz. This frequency extension requires adaptation of the physical layer, including the addition of two new subcarrier spacings (480 kHz and 960 kHz). It also requires support for larger signal bandwidths (up to 2 GHz). Despite the challenges that this new frequency band represents for manufacturers of RF transceivers for cellular communication applications, it also opens up new opportunities for those who specialized in the design and manufacture of IEEE-compliant transceiver circuits operating in these millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequency bands.
Rohde & Schwarz is a leading supplier of test and measurement solutions for the wireless communications industry and RF component characterization. Sivers Semiconductors is a leading international technology company supplying integrated chips and modules. The two companies have jointly tested the performance of the latest generation of RF transceiver circuits, which until now have supported the IEEE 802.11ad and 802.11ay standards, using 5G NR signals at frequencies up to 71 GHz.
As part of these joint tests, an evaluation kit from Sivers Semiconductors was used as the device under test (DUT). It comprises a TRXBF01 series radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) and the BFM06010 series RF antenna module. The RFIC supports modulations specified by IEEE 802.11ad/ay standards up to 64QAM over the entire frequency range from 57 to 71 GHz. The test solution consisted of the R&S SMW200A vector signal generator, which, thanks to new frequency extensions, now covers frequencies up to 67 GHz (72 GHz overrange), and the R&S FSW85 signal and spectrum analyzer. This analyzer, which is the only one on the market to offer a signal analysis bandwidth of up to 8.3 GHz, supports RF frequencies of up to 90 GHz. The OTA (over-the-air) tests were carried out using the R&S ATS1800C loudspeaker incorporating a CATR (compact antenna test range) reflector. This test chamber is suitable for testing devices using 5G NR mmWave technology.
To validate the transmission performance of the device under test, the R&S SMW200A generator supplies an IQ baseband differential analog signal to the device under test, which IQ-modulates the signal and up-converts it to the desired RF frequency. The signal generated, which complies with release 17 of the 3GPP 5G NR standard, has a subcarrier spacing of 960 kHz and a modulation bandwidth of 2 GHz. The device under test focuses its transmit beam, which is created by 16 individually controllable antenna elements, in the line-of-sight direction towards the CATR reflector in the R&S ATS1800C test chamber. It focuses the signal on the feed antenna and transmits it to the R&S FSW85 analyzer, which then performs a signal analysis in compliance with all 3GPP standards specifications.
To test the receive performance of the device under test, the R&S SMW200A generator delivers the 5G NR RF signal at 64 GHz (FR2-2), while connected to the feed antenna of the R&S ATS1800C test chamber. The feed antenna directs the signal to the CATR reflector, which creates far-field conditions within a high-quality quiet zone (QZ) 30 cm in diameter. The integrated positioner enables repeatable RF measurements of the device under test within the QZ. Sivers Semiconductors' RF circuitry converts the received signal to baseband. This signal is captured by an R&S RTP oscilloscope and analyzed separately using R&S VSE software (vector signal explorer) or with the R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyzer.
Erik Öjefors, CTO of the wireless communications business at Sivers Semiconductors, said: "This was an appreciable opportunity for Sivers Semiconductors to prove once again the global leadership of our mmWave technology. In collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz, we demonstrated that the high performance of our RF transmit-receive circuits operating in the millimeter-wave range paves the way for future NR-U deployments in the 60 GHz band specified by the forthcoming Release 17 of the 3GPP standard. It is essential for us to be able to rapidly provide test and measurement solutions capable of meeting the requirements of the new standards and those to come, such as 5G NR in the 60 GHz band. This is in line with our ambition to always remain at the forefront of technological developments."
"Together with Sivers Semiconductors, we have reached an important milestone for the wireless communications industry. Thanks to our innovative test and measurement solutions, we can verify new features of the 5G New Radio standard. This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to our partners and customers. In this way, we enable them to develop cutting-edge technologies that will enable the practical deployment of advanced 5G use cases for consumers and businesses alike."said Andreas Pauly, Executive Vice President of Rohde & Schwarz's Test & Measurement business.
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