1GHz signal analyser meets 5G manufacturing needs

Installing the 5G measurement software packages leverages the instrument’s high dynamic range and flatness performance to cut measurement times using all-at-once, high-accuracy measurements of a typical 800MHz modulation bandwidth to be used in 5G (e.g. eight 100MHz bandwidth carriers).

With many operators currently preparing the introduction of next-generation 5G cellular mobile communications systems, with plans to start actual testing from late 2017 into 2018, leading wireless equipment makers have started transitioning from the development and verification testing phases to development of commercial models and preparations for volume manufacturing.

Reducing the potentially high equipment investments needed to start 5G NR production lines is a major issue for base station suppliers, who urgently need a high-performance but cost-effective 5G signal analyser meeting both development and manufacturing requirements.

Additionally, other non-5G communications fields will have the same bandwidth and flatness requirements as 5G when broadband communications come into use offering larger data capacity at faster speeds.

The MS2850A supports transmitter performance tests for wireless communications equipment during development and manufacturing; the 32GHz and 44.5GHz measurement frequency models have an analysis bandwidth of 255MHz as standard, which can be extended as an option up to 1GHz.

Noise Figure (NF) and Phase Noise measurement functions can also be installed in both models.

Installing the 5G measurement software packages in the MS2850A supports measurement of 5G uplink and downlink signal frequency error, power, EVM, etc., using CP-OFDM modulation. Additionally, downlink measurements evaluate multi-carriers all at once.

The signal analyser supports all previous cellular technologies such as, LTE, W-CDMA, TD-SCDMA, and GSM, and it offers future proof support for the new 5G NR standards now being defined by 3GPP.