Keysight Gains Validation for First 3GPP Release 16 16/32 Transmitter Performance Enhancement Test Cases

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Keysight Technologies, Inc. gained approval for the industry's first 3GPP Release 16 (Rel-16) 5G New Radio (NR) single and multiple precoding matrix indicator (PMI) test cases for 16 and 32 element transmitters operating on the frequency-division duplexing (FDD) and time-division duplexing (TDD) bands. The validated test cases, which are for use with Keysight's 5G network emulation conformance test platform (TP168), were obtained at the Conformance Agreement Group (CAG) #77 meeting of the Global Certification Forum (GCF) hosted by Keysight in Malaga, Spain during January.

Networks based on 5G NR standards support multi-antenna technologies known as MIMO, which improve spectral efficiency and enhance communication. To implement multi-antenna systems, enhanced precoding techniques are applied to the transmitter to map data into the different transmit antennas. The optimal precoding depends on a PMI Codebook value reported by the device, which makes the choice from several precoding options based on its own channel measurements. 

As part of Rel-16, the 3GPP added new test cases to validate device performance in multi-antenna systems. Keysight S8705A RF/RRM test solution is the first to gain validation for these new tests, which require unprecedented fading resources to emulate 16 and 32 transmitter connections to use equipment (UE) with 2 and 4 receivers.

Keysight also achieved the following achievements supporting Release 17 (Rel-17) Enhanced Power Saving and RedCap features:

• Validation of test cases verifying UE support of a function that reduces the number of times a device interacts with the network, in order to extend the battery life of devices using the S8705A RF/RRM test solution.
• Validation of test cases ensuring RedCap devices support the Rel-17 increase in the extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) cycle, which is the duration of time a device is in sleep mode in order to extend battery life. This was completed with the Keysight S8704A Protocol Conformance Toolset and activates the RedCap Rel-17 eDRX GCF work item.

Muthu Kumaran, General Manager of Keysight's Device Acceptance Solutions, said: "Enhancing connection performance is a priority for network operators to deliver a better quality of service to final users. Multi-antenna systems are possible with NR and now the first approved tests are brought into the market by Keysight to ensure device's performance is thoroughly tested. Additionally, validations supporting Rel-17 Enhanced Power Saving features are crucial to drive advancements in 5G NR Rel-17 for commercial 5G NR and RedCap devices market introduction."