First commercial test solution for 5G channel sounding from Rohde & Schwarz opens up new spectral worlds

01/01/2016

What started with GSM is now continuing on an exponential scale with fifth generation mobile radio (5G). Manufacturers of base stations and end user devices are facing the challenge of opening time and location dependent radio channels. This is why Rohde & Schwarz developed a test solution that characterizes the envisaged 5G spectra. The test system comprises a signal and spectrum analyzer, a vector signal generator and the new R&S TS-5GCS test software. Users can select the analyzer and generator depending on their channel frequency and bandwidth requirements.

Two aspects of 5G set it apart from previous generations: On the one hand, fifth generation mobile radio will open up new frequency bands for commercial wireless communications in the microwave and millimeter wave ranges. On the other hand, it will extend the wanted-signal bandwidth. The new wireless communications channels will require comprehensive analysis to ensure optimal utilization. Channel sounding is the primary method of doing this.

Using the new R&S TS-5GCS channel sounding software together with an R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyzer and an R&S SMW200A vector signal generator makes it possible to comfortably measure channels in high frequency bands. The R&S SMW200A has a frequency range of up to 40 GHz and is used as the sounding signal source. The R&S FSW operates as a receiver and can be employed with various frequencies and bandwidths. The R&S FSW85, for example, enables users to analyze sounding signals up to 85 GHz without an external mixer. Adding the R&S FSW-B2000 option extends the possible analysis bandwidth to 2 GHz. The combination of 85 GHz and 2 GHz is unique on the market.

Users need to know the exact transmission path characteristics in order to measure wideband radio signals between a transmitter and a receiver. Channel sounding makes it possible to determine the impulse response of a transmission channel or mobile radio channel. The R&S TS-5GCS PC application software delivers the channel impulse response, which provides information about the influence of an observed channel on a given radio signal. Possible influences on radio channels include signal echoes caused by reflections, shadowing from buildings and trees as well as weather induced effects. The R&S TS-5GCS software is based on MATLAB and automatically reads the R&S FSW I/Q data. It correlates the received signal with the original calibrated sequence to provide the channel impulse response. Measurement data is displayed graphically.

The R&S TS-5GCS software includes a large selection of standard sounding signals such as the familiar FMCW (chirp) signals from radar technology. Employing these signals for channel sounding enables users to further optimize their sounding sequences in terms of spectral purity and crest factor. The sounding signals can be replayed directly on the R&S SMW200A signal generator.

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