Test platform covers Global Certification Forum RF test cases

Test platforms from Keysight Technologies now support a leading number of 5G new radio (NR) conformance radio frequency (RF) test cases validated by the Global Certification Forum (GCF).

At the CAG#59 meeting, which took place in Malaga, Spain, it was confirmed that Keysight’s 5G network emulation conformance test platform (TP168) offers leading coverage of GCF validated RF test cases. This includes industry-first GCF validation for 5G NR radio conformance testing (RCT) in frequency range 2 (FR2). By accessing a complete set of RF test cases on a single platform, device makers can easily and cost-effectively accelerate GCF certification, ensuring their device conforms to 3GPP standards. In addition, Keysight is currently the only vendor with PTCRB validated RF test cases in FR2. Therefore, customers of Keysight’s 5G network emulation solutions can comprehensively address 3GPP requirements specific to 5G NR mmWave deployments.

Commercial deployment of 5G technology is accelerating to address a wide range of use cases for consumers and industry verticals. As a result, mobile device manufacturers need to gain early and continuous access to the latest RF, radio resource management (RRM) and protocol conformance 3GPP test specifications for timely 5G NR device certification. Conformance tests adopted by certification bodies, such as GCF, help ensure commercial 5G devices comply to the latest 3GPP Release 15 specifications and operate as expected on mobile networks.

Earlier this year, Keysight announced that following the CAG#58 meeting, the company’s 5G Conformance Toolsets supported the greatest number of validated GCF and PTCRB protocol and RF conformance test cases for 5G NR in both non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) mode. In January, Keysight was first to gain GCF approval for 5G NR non-standalone test cases, enabling the mobile ecosystem to accelerate protocol and RF device certification.

Keysight’s 5G RF/RRM Conformance Toolset is part of the company’s suite of 5G network emulation solutions. It enables mobile operators, chipset and device manufacturers, as well as test labs, to validate new devices across the workflow, from early design to acceptance and manufacturing in both sub-6GHz (FR1) and mmWave (FR2) frequency bands. The solution suite leverages the company’s UXM 5G Wireless Platform to provide early access to a comprehensive range of test cases on a common platform. By addressing global test requirements on a single solution platform, Keysight enables the mobile industry to accelerate certification of 5G multi-mode devices in different form factors.