Rohde & Schwarz has recently presented its new drive test demonstrator solution for over-the-air characterization of 5G network coverage to key customers.

Germany-based Rohde & Schwarz said the world’s first 5G network deployments will be in the 28 GHz band, with US and South Korean based operators leading the timeline. SK Telecom, Verizon, AT&T, among others are actively considering 5G networks.

Testing during the 5G trials due to the jump in frequency, bandwidth and complexity – for example beamforming of the next generation radio access network –will be critical to allow the progression of the technology.

The new demonstrator solution makes use of the R&S TSME ultra-compact drive test scanner and R&S ROMES drive test software to enable over-the-air characterization of 5G network coverage. In addition, data gathered by this test solution on the propagation of signals at 28 GHz can be used to determine the optimum position of receiving CPE antennas and to validate and improve network planning tools.

“With operators starting to firm up their applications, timelines and 5G implementations, we are seeing demand to verify the performance of early 5G networks,” said Hanspeter Bobst, vice president of Rohde & Schwarz mobile network testing and CEO of SwissQual AG, a Rohde & Schwarz company.