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Three 5G NR Challenges That Can Be Solved Right Now
Published2019.10.07 17:01Korea's 5G is preparing for a next-level upgrade to meet market demands. It is a leap from the 3.5GHz frequency band, known as 4.5G, which was first launched in 2018, to true 5G via 28GHz.
It appears that the NSA (Non Stand Alone) label, which aimed to bring the entire nation under 5G coverage by simultaneously using the 3.5GHz band and existing LTE networks, will be removed after 2020. However, the introduction of 28GHz is throwing more homework at development engineers regarding the various unresolved 5G challenges.
This technical article describes the challenges of the revamped 5G New Radio presented by Keysight and how to address the challenges currently facing it.
This article is a summary of a contribution by Nick Ben, Technology Marketing Engineer at Keysight Technologies.
Technological innovation is changing the way and speed at which society interacts with the world.
Until recently, it took weeks just to deliver a handwritten letter via the mail. The advent of email fundamentally changed the method of delivery, enabling messages to be transmitted in seconds rather than days or weeks.
Furthermore, innovations in engines led to the emergence of automobiles, replacing horse-drawn carriages and making it possible to transport people and goods from point A to point B in a much shorter time than in the past.
While consumer demand played a role in the emergence of 5G New Radio (NR), innovators seeking advancements in technology and speed played a major role. It is true that consumer demand for bandwidth and speed is constantly increasing, but this demand is largely driven by technological innovation. The future of 5G NR technology is bright, but there are challenges to overcome.
5G New Radio
Consumer demand for improved bandwidth, data transmission speeds, and connectivity is constantly increasing, and engineers face the challenge of meeting these demands through stable communication networks by innovating cellular technology using 5G NR.
5G NR requires achieving massive data throughput by utilizing new and existing technologies, while also addressing new testing challenges such as conducting tests on mmWave frequencies, wider channel bandwidths, and complex multi-antenna configurations.
Since 5G NR mobile devices and base stations are planned to implement sub-6GHz and mmWave designs, 3D beam performance must be optimized and verified through more complex and new Over-The-Air (OTA) test configurations that support wide channel bandwidth and multi-channel MIMO test requirements.
Due to this complexity, the number of instruments required in mmWave OTA systems increases and measurement uncertainty rises, making it more difficult to achieve accurate and repeatable measurements. However, developers must face the reality that 5G is being actively applied across various industries, despite the uncertainty surrounding the evolving 5G New Radio standards.
In the case of automobiles, the reaction time of autonomous vehicles to emergency situations is several times faster than that of humans. For entertainment and multimedia streaming on mobile phones and PCs, the time it takes to download a movie of average length can be reduced from 7 minutes to 6 seconds. Finally, in IoT, 5G technology promises enhanced security by improving the transmission speed of IoT devices in smart homes.
However, to realize these benefits, we must first overcome three current 5G testing obstacles.
Key Challenge 1: Complexity of Test System Configuration
5G testing typically requires more complex test setups because new cellular designs need to be characterized. Early 5G applications will operate at sub-6GHz and mmWave frequencies (28GHz–39GHz). Additionally, 5G requires modulation bandwidth (up to 2GHz) to support peak data rates.
Since 5G applications operate at mmWave frequencies, previously performed configurations were converted to OTA test configurations via phased array antennas. These antennas are directly connected to RFICs (RF Integrated Circuits). They provide high gain and beam steering capabilities to enhance stability at mmWave frequencies.
Figure 2: 5G network wireless systems and Internet of Things (IoT)
Key Challenge 2: Increased System Path Loss
Now that the desired signal propagates wirelessly rather than through a physical cable medium, some system path loss may occur. Increased system path loss results in a decrease in the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). If the SNR is low, the Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) and Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR) decrease when measuring the transmitter.
This means that measurements not only fail to reflect the device's actual performance but also degrade receiver sensitivity. In today's world, where OTA has become the norm, everyone is familiar with the concept of radiative antenna testing. However, as 4G transitions to 5G, OTA testing requires both RF parameter and performance tests at mmWave frequencies. These tests range from EVM and ACLR (Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio) tests to modem and data throughput tests.
Key Task 3: Extending the Product Development Cycle
Finally, another significant testing issue with the 5G NR standard is that the increased number of tests required can lead to an extension of the product development cycle. This may be partly due to instances where two interference channel tests cannot be easily converted to dual-channel MIMO and beamforming tests. Additionally, it must be remembered that the new standard involves a larger number of test items and scenarios to verify.
Furthermore, it is time-consuming in that companies must wait for vendors to provide the latest 5G NR standard-compliant signals for applications to keep up with evolving standards. This challenge is not merely an obstacle; it can extend core product development time and cause companies to fall behind in the 5G competition.
Solution
As many developers already know, 5G NR requires a wider modulation bandwidth (2GHz) and operates at mmWave frequencies. For example, to test a receiver, a stable signal generator that meets these minimum qualification requirements (see Figure 3) is required.
Using multiple instruments in various running 5G tests is not the best solution. Having the instrument perform all tests in a single box minimizes test setup time and allows for faster compliance with 5G 3GPP standards.
Figure 3: Using the right single instrument signal generator can help reduce the complexity of test system setup, provide the high output power required for radial mmWave testing, and minimize the product development cycle.
While operating at mmWave frequencies has advantages, it presents a serious disadvantage known as system path loss. To compensate for excessive system path loss at mmWave frequencies, a signal generator with high output power is required. Additionally, the signal generator must feature a linear output section, low distortion, and low phase noise at high power levels.
These are important factors in performing accurate measurements at mmWave frequencies and preventing errors from occurring in the signal generator itself. To address the problem of excessive path loss, it is a good approach to increase the output power of the signal generator and use a highly sensitive signal analyzer to compensate for the loss.
Product development time may be slowed if a stable signal generator is not available to support the rapid switching of independent interference channel tests to dual-channel MIMO and beamforming tests, requiring the generation of a custom 5G NR signal and separate updates. A signal source with built-in dual channels enables the easy handling of multiple 3GPP conformance test configurations.
Using software with signals that currently comply with 5G NR standards allows you to focus solely on product development without wasting time generating your own compliant signals.
conclusion
5G NR technology is undoubtedly revolutionary. Because cellular networks provide more bandwidth, improved data transmission speeds, and better connectivity, 5G NR technology will have a ripple effect on other technological transitions. While the opportunities that 5G will offer are limitless, the right tools are required to overcome the following three testing challenges.
• Test system setup complexity
Choosing the right tools not only helps you stay ahead in the 5G race but can also rapidly increase the reliability of your device performance.
It appears that the NSA (Non Stand Alone) label, which aimed to bring the entire nation under 5G coverage by simultaneously using the 3.5GHz band and existing LTE networks, will be removed after 2020. However, the introduction of 28GHz is throwing more homework at development engineers regarding the various unresolved 5G challenges.
This technical article describes the challenges of the revamped 5G New Radio presented by Keysight and how to address the challenges currently facing it.
This article is a summary of a contribution by Nick Ben, Technology Marketing Engineer at Keysight Technologies.
Technological innovation is changing the way and speed at which society interacts with the world.
Until recently, it took weeks just to deliver a handwritten letter via the mail. The advent of email fundamentally changed the method of delivery, enabling messages to be transmitted in seconds rather than days or weeks.
Furthermore, innovations in engines led to the emergence of automobiles, replacing horse-drawn carriages and making it possible to transport people and goods from point A to point B in a much shorter time than in the past.
While consumer demand played a role in the emergence of 5G New Radio (NR), innovators seeking advancements in technology and speed played a major role. It is true that consumer demand for bandwidth and speed is constantly increasing, but this demand is largely driven by technological innovation. The future of 5G NR technology is bright, but there are challenges to overcome.
5G New Radio
Consumer demand for improved bandwidth, data transmission speeds, and connectivity is constantly increasing, and engineers face the challenge of meeting these demands through stable communication networks by innovating cellular technology using 5G NR.
5G NR requires achieving massive data throughput by utilizing new and existing technologies, while also addressing new testing challenges such as conducting tests on mmWave frequencies, wider channel bandwidths, and complex multi-antenna configurations.
Since 5G NR mobile devices and base stations are planned to implement sub-6GHz and mmWave designs, 3D beam performance must be optimized and verified through more complex and new Over-The-Air (OTA) test configurations that support wide channel bandwidth and multi-channel MIMO test requirements.
Due to this complexity, the number of instruments required in mmWave OTA systems increases and measurement uncertainty rises, making it more difficult to achieve accurate and repeatable measurements. However, developers must face the reality that 5G is being actively applied across various industries, despite the uncertainty surrounding the evolving 5G New Radio standards.
In the case of automobiles, the reaction time of autonomous vehicles to emergency situations is several times faster than that of humans. For entertainment and multimedia streaming on mobile phones and PCs, the time it takes to download a movie of average length can be reduced from 7 minutes to 6 seconds. Finally, in IoT, 5G technology promises enhanced security by improving the transmission speed of IoT devices in smart homes.
However, to realize these benefits, we must first overcome three current 5G testing obstacles.
Key Challenge 1: Complexity of Test System Configuration
5G testing typically requires more complex test setups because new cellular designs need to be characterized. Early 5G applications will operate at sub-6GHz and mmWave frequencies (28GHz–39GHz). Additionally, 5G requires modulation bandwidth (up to 2GHz) to support peak data rates.
Since 5G applications operate at mmWave frequencies, previously performed configurations were converted to OTA test configurations via phased array antennas. These antennas are directly connected to RFICs (RF Integrated Circuits). They provide high gain and beam steering capabilities to enhance stability at mmWave frequencies.
Figure 2: 5G network wireless systems and Internet of Things (IoT)
Key Challenge 2: Increased System Path Loss
Now that the desired signal propagates wirelessly rather than through a physical cable medium, some system path loss may occur. Increased system path loss results in a decrease in the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). If the SNR is low, the Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) and Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR) decrease when measuring the transmitter.
This means that measurements not only fail to reflect the device's actual performance but also degrade receiver sensitivity. In today's world, where OTA has become the norm, everyone is familiar with the concept of radiative antenna testing. However, as 4G transitions to 5G, OTA testing requires both RF parameter and performance tests at mmWave frequencies. These tests range from EVM and ACLR (Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio) tests to modem and data throughput tests.
Key Task 3: Extending the Product Development Cycle
Finally, another significant testing issue with the 5G NR standard is that the increased number of tests required can lead to an extension of the product development cycle. This may be partly due to instances where two interference channel tests cannot be easily converted to dual-channel MIMO and beamforming tests. Additionally, it must be remembered that the new standard involves a larger number of test items and scenarios to verify.
Furthermore, it is time-consuming in that companies must wait for vendors to provide the latest 5G NR standard-compliant signals for applications to keep up with evolving standards. This challenge is not merely an obstacle; it can extend core product development time and cause companies to fall behind in the 5G competition.
Solution
As many developers already know, 5G NR requires a wider modulation bandwidth (2GHz) and operates at mmWave frequencies. For example, to test a receiver, a stable signal generator that meets these minimum qualification requirements (see Figure 3) is required.
Using multiple instruments in various running 5G tests is not the best solution. Having the instrument perform all tests in a single box minimizes test setup time and allows for faster compliance with 5G 3GPP standards.
Figure 3: Using the right single instrument signal generator can help reduce the complexity of test system setup, provide the high output power required for radial mmWave testing, and minimize the product development cycle.
While operating at mmWave frequencies has advantages, it presents a serious disadvantage known as system path loss. To compensate for excessive system path loss at mmWave frequencies, a signal generator with high output power is required. Additionally, the signal generator must feature a linear output section, low distortion, and low phase noise at high power levels.
These are important factors in performing accurate measurements at mmWave frequencies and preventing errors from occurring in the signal generator itself. To address the problem of excessive path loss, it is a good approach to increase the output power of the signal generator and use a highly sensitive signal analyzer to compensate for the loss.
Product development time may be slowed if a stable signal generator is not available to support the rapid switching of independent interference channel tests to dual-channel MIMO and beamforming tests, requiring the generation of a custom 5G NR signal and separate updates. A signal source with built-in dual channels enables the easy handling of multiple 3GPP conformance test configurations.
Using software with signals that currently comply with 5G NR standards allows you to focus solely on product development without wasting time generating your own compliant signals.
conclusion
5G NR technology is undoubtedly revolutionary. Because cellular networks provide more bandwidth, improved data transmission speeds, and better connectivity, 5G NR technology will have a ripple effect on other technological transitions. While the opportunities that 5G will offer are limitless, the right tools are required to overcome the following three testing challenges.
• Test system setup complexity
• Increased system path loss
• Extending the product development cycle
Choosing the right tools not only helps you stay ahead in the 5G race but can also rapidly increase the reliability of your device performance.
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