Ericsson and MediaTek have successfully tested the functionality and compatibility of Ericsson’s 5G RedCap product for future implementation in commercial 5G standalone (SA) networks.

RedCap NR represents a step in the evolution of 5G networks and the expansion of the 5G device ecosystem. Ericssons’s radio access network (RAN) software is designed to support existing and new mid-tier use cases such as smartwatches, other wearables and industrialy IoT devices by lowering complexity, reducing energy consumption and extending battery life.

The RedCap interoperability tests were carried out in a test environment, with Ericsson providing the 5G RAN infrastructure and RedCap, and MediaTek providing its T300 device platform, with compatibility for 3GGP R17 and RedCap. The tests proved to be a success, demonstrating proper band allocation, performance and compatibility, underscoring the potential of RedCap devices to expand the 5G ecosystem and cater for use cases that are not yet best served by current 5G specifications.

“The tests were a success, with connection to the correct tracks and bandwidth optimisation,” said Samir Vani, director of business development for Latin America at MediaTek (www.mediatek.com).

Marcos Scheffer, head of managed services at Ericsson (www.ericsson.com), added: “We are proud of the successful tests carried out in São Paulo, which demonstrated the capabilities of the RedCap 5G technology. This achievement reflects Ericsson’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge technologies that enhance connectivity experiences. As operators continue to invest in network capabilities to seize the opportunities offered by 5G, the next wave will help them expand their businesses, enabling new applications for consumers and enterprises while improving network performance and energy efficiency. RedCap is yet another driving force propelling the expansion of the 5G device and application ecosystem.”

RedCap (www.ericsson.com/en/ran/5g-redcap) offers similar data rates as LTE Cat-4 devices with improved latency, device energy efficiency and spectrum efficiency. The technology can also support 5G SA features such as enhanced positioning and network slicing.

Furthermore, the ability of 5G SA to support a greater number of devices with spectral efficiency to meet various use cases will support the growing trend of more connected IoT devices in residential and industrial environments. Overall, it is expected that these implementations will provide 5G consumer and enterprise users with a more efficient, reliable and seamless connectivity experience, increasing their overall satisfaction with the network.

MediaTek T300 is compatible with 5G SA, LTE, and NR-FR1 (20MHz), and will offer enhanced reliability with support for up to 256 QAM DL/UL and for 1T2R MIMO/1CC for lower latency connections. Additionally, they will include features such as dual SIM single active (DSSA, dual SIM with one active) and network slicing, essential for supporting a variety of IoT applications.

• Samsung (www.samsung.com) and MediaTek have collaborated to perform an interoperability 5G RedCap test over virtualised RAN (vRAN). The test comprised data sessions and, more significantly, highlighted key features of RedCap technology designed to extend battery life and enhance energy efficiency in IoT devices, which will cultivate a more sustainable and diverse 5G ecosystem.

The test was conducted in Samsung’s Korean R&D lab (pictured above). It used its versatile vRAN 3.0 software, O-RAN compliant radio, and connected to a MediaTek 5G RedCap test platform equipped with M60 modem.