Accelerating design and market entry between 5G base stations and next-gen mobile devices

Keysight Technologies, Inc. has played a key role in facilitating Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to make the industry's first end-to-end interoperability and data connection in the FR3 frequency range using the Keysight E7515P UXM 5G Wireless Test Platform and a 5G Qualcomm Technologies mobile test platform (MTP).

5G networks are developed to operate in three frequency ranges: low-band (FR1), mid-band (FR2), and the newly introduced high-band (FR3). Each frequency provides specific advantages for 5G services, with FR3 providing wider bandwidths, allowing the transmission of large amounts of data at very high speeds. These unique properties will enable FR3 to support 5G-Advanced and 6G use cases that promise to revolutionise future wireless communications.

Qualcomm Technologies' successful FR3 interoperability test encompassed User Equipment calibration and RF Non-signalling verification. This was achieved using Keysight UXM E7515P and VXT3 M9416A, facilitated by Qualcomm's Development Acceleration Resource Toolkit (QDART). Finally, a full-stack data connection was established to assess the feasibility of using the frequency band for network connections between a 5G base station and a next-generation mobile device. The connection was made using Keysight's 5G network emulation solutions and the Qualcomm Technologies MTP, a smartphone reference design that acts as a proven test device for implementing and verifying the most advanced device features obtainable from Qualcomm Technologies research labs.

The UXM 5G wireless test solution is a highly integrated signalling test platform with multiformat stack support, rich processing power, and abundant RF resources. Supporting 3GPP Release 15 and beyond, the UXM 5G wireless test solution allows engineers to establish a 5G call with a device under test in different 5G New Radio deployment modes.

Tingfang Ji, vice president of Engineering at Qualcomm Wireless Research, Qualcomm Technologies, said: "Qualcomm Technologies is grateful for Keysight's support in assisting Qualcomm Technologies to create groundbreaking solutions that empower device manufacturers to accelerate innovations in the next generation of wireless communications. This industry-first milestone will accelerate the design and deployment of the 5G-Advanced and 6G devices."

Lucas Hansen, vice president of Keysight's Wireless Devices and Operators, said: "In our support of Qualcomm Technologies, Keysight is expediting the market entry of next-generation mobile devices through an industry-first FR3 data connection. Keysight's cutting-edge emulation solutions uniquely enable chipsets and device makers to validate their devices for the new era of technology. This achievement will accelerate the 5G-Advanced and 6G device design cycle and the time it takes to bring new devices to market."