China Mobile has selected the R&S SMM100A vector signal generator from Rohde & Schwarz to validate its 5G technology.

The new signal source generates 5G signals in research applications to verify current and future 5G technologies. The project is a continuation of the long term cooperation between China Mobile and Rohde & Schwarz China.

China Mobile’s 5G networks operating in the mmWave frequency ranges (FR2) are faster and have extremely low latency thanks to wide spectrum resources and large bandwidth configurations. It opens up additional scenarios and applications, especially in vertical industries new to mobile communications. In China, 5G mmWave frequency ranges of 24.75 GHz to 27.5 GHz and 37 GHz to 42.5 GHz have been allocated and approved for technical trials.

Rohde & Schwarz said the R&S SMM100A is the only vector signal generator with mmWave testing capabilities in the midrange class. It has remarkably good RF characteristics across the entire frequency range from 100 kHz to 44 GHz and supports both 5G FR1 and FR2 testing.

The R&S SMM100A also supports the latest WLAN standards Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E (up to 7.125 GHz) and Wi-Fi 7. The instrument covers wireless personal area networks such as Bluetooth. The R&S SMM100A has a maximum radio frequency bandwidth of 1 GHz and can generate broadband signals that meet the testing requirements for wireless standards, including IEEE 802.15.4z ultra-wideband signals (HRP-UWB).

Rohde & Schwarz, a leading test and measurement (T&M) solutions provider based in Germany, provides the wireless and mobile industry with a full range of mmWave test equipment and solutions to better meet challenging 5G test requirements, such as over-the-air testing.