Rohde & Schwarz, a global supplier of test and measurement equipment, said CMW100 communications manufacturing test set is enabling the testing and validation of sub-6 GHz 3GPP 5G new radio (NR) based devices.

Initial 5G designs will use frequencies below 6 GHz with a focus on 3.5 GHz. For these sub-6 GHz carrier frequencies, 3GPP currently discusses a maximum bandwidth per component carrier of 100 MHz.

The R&S CMW100 communications manufacturing test set with a measurement bandwidth of 160 MHz is ready for testing initial 5G NR sub-6 GHz wireless devices.

The testing solution is suitable for wireless devices, supporting LTE, WLAN and Bluetooth besides 5G NR sub-6 GHz. This makes the R&S CMW100 a cost-effective solution for production of cellular and non-cellular (wireless connectivity) devices calibrated and verified in non-signaling mode (analyzer/generator).

Manufacturers of handsets and devices profit from a variety of measurement functionalities with a single investment in equipment, training and adaptation costs.

“Utilizing spectrum bands below 6 GHz is the decisive aspect of enabling deployments with reliable network coverage. The R&S CMW100 demonstrates Rohde & Schwarz capability to support 5G NR sub-6 GHz and will help accelerate the 5G ecosystem,” said Anton Messmer, vice president Mobile Radio Testers at Rohde & Schwarz.

The latest 160 MHz version of R&S CMW100 is available now from Rohde & Schwarz. Dedicated vector signal analysis and generator software options supporting 5G NR sub-6 GHz will be available in 2018.