Testers target 5G RedCap requirements

Although 5G RedCap wireless devices are less complex and consume lower power, they still require time-consuming and expensive certification. Test & measurement companies like Keysight Technologies and Rohde & Schwarz are addressing these new devices and chipsets with new testers, tailored for 5G RedCap and other cellular IoT (CIoT) applications.

Performing lab validation early to identify and correct design issues, device and module manufacturers can shorten the certification process, said Keysight Technologies, Inc.

5G RedCap is expected to deliver a new wave of devices that bridge the existing capability and complexity gap between low-speed NB-IoT and earlier standards, and 5G extremes today, optimizing design for sensors in industrial automation, smart cameras and wearables.  5G RedCap lightweight reduces the number of antennas on devices, lowering complexity, using less spectrum bandwidth and less power, and working only in standalone (SA) mode compared to equipment designed for eMBB use.

R&S CMX500 OBT lite hardware configuration (Source: Rohde & Schwarz)

Rohde & Schwarz has optimized its R&S CMX500 5G one-box signaling tester (OBT) for 5G RedCap (reduced capabilities) and other 3GPP Release 17 features with the introduction of the new CMX500 OBT lite hardware configuration. The CMX500 5G OBT is usable across a complete value chain, from early R&D to type approval conformance testing, with the OBT lite hardware configuration tailored specifically for lower data rate applications such as 5G RedCap.

R&S CMX500 OBT lite enhancements enable IoT chipsets, modems and end device manufacturers to verify aspects of 5G RedCap as defined in 3GPP Release 17 in the R&D phase, pertaining to network access restrictions, bandwidth parts (BWP) and bandwidth part switching, power saving and other 5G RedCap specific protocol signaling procedures. The tester can be used for 5G RedCap protocol conformance testing according to 3GPP, including verification of key characteristics of a 5G RedCap terminal device.

The test solution targets all 5G NR testing, supporting relevant 5G frequencies up to 8 GHz operated by the intuitive and flexible web-based user interface, the R&S CMsquares. Suitable for all 5G mobile devices and chipsets, it supports all possible 5G NR network deployments and frequency ranges, including FR1, FR2 and LTE bands.

The first test case is already verified as well as the legacy feature of this 5G RedCap terminal device. R&S also used the CMX500 OBT lite to re-verify the RAN5 use case of the access layer RedCap feature. This ensures the regular operation of this 5G RedCap terminal device in the network.

Keysight E7515R streamlined network emulator (Source: Keysight Technologies, Inc.)

Also recently launched is the Keysight’s wireless test platform for 5G RedCap and CIoT progression. Keysight’s E7515R is based on its 5G Network Emulation Solutions platform designed for protocol, radio frequency (RF), and functional testing of all CIoT technologies, including RedCap. The platform expands Keysight’s 5G Network Emulation Solutions portfolio used in mobile device validation across the workflow, from early design to acceptance and deployment.

The Keysight E7515R streamlines capabilities for RedCap without the additional features needed to test a full-spec 5G device, said Keysight.

The E7515R is a complete solution with RF, protocol, functional and performance testing in a compact footprint. It supports 5G Release 17 RedCap along with legacy CIoT technologies, including NB-IoT, LTE Category M and LTE Cat-1bis.

Building on Keysight’s support for RedCap device development, including establishing a data call using the 5G RedCap specification, the 5G Network Emulation Solutions has validated RedCap connectivity on a 5G chipset. The E7515R is shipping now.

Both Keysight and Rohde & Schwarz demonstrated their RedCap testers at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2023.