MediaTek has verified its 5G redcap (reduced capability) test platform with the Rohde & Schwarz CMX500 signalling tester.

Redcap introduces true mid-tier, enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC) to the 5G ecosystem and should lead to devices that bridge the capability and complexity gap between earlier low-speed NB-IoT standards and today’s 5G with an optimised design for mid-tier use cases. These include sensors in industrial automation, smart cameras and wearables.

Redcap modems are less complex, use less spectrum bandwidth, consume much less power and work only in standalone (SA) mode, in contrast to 5G modems designed for eMBB use-cases.

Rohde & Schwarz has optimised the CMX500 OBT for IoT testing. The enhancements let MediaTek verify the various redcap aspects defined in 3GPP 5G release 17 for network access restrictions, bandwidth parts, bandwidth part switching, power saving and other redcap-specific protocol signalling procedures.

The wireless communication tester has a one-box configuration for testing 5G NR. It supports all relevant 5G frequencies up to 8GHz via the CMSquares web-based user interface. The signalling tester is suitable for all 5G mobile devices and chipsets.

The tester supports all possible 5G NR network deployments and frequency ranges, including the FR1, FR2 and LTE bands in a single instrument. It can speed up the time to market while supporting a complete range of early R&D design stages, such as RF parametric tests, end-to-end application testing, signalling protocol tests, type approval conformance tests and sample production tests. The one-platform strategy creates a unified environment for signalling and non-signalling testing through all 5G device production stages.

“I am really honoured that our R&S CMX500 will help the industry advance 5G and address new device types that support 5G redcap in early R&D stages,” said Christoph Pointner, senior vice president at Rohde & Schwarz. “We are committed to our close and long-standing partnership with MediaTek, and we will continue to innovate further to support all future redcap and 5G enhancements in upcoming 3GPP releases after 17.”

Ho-Chi Hwang, general manager of wireless communications at MediaTek (www.mediatek.com), added: “Continuing our close collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz has enabled MediaTek to verify an important milestone towards the next era of 5G. MediaTek will bring the new capabilities of 5G redcap into our next-gen product lines and, as one of the world’s largest 5G modem suppliers, this milestone gives our customers confidence in their strategic planning and innovation development.”

For more information about 5G redcap testing, visit www.rohde-schwarz.com/redcap-testing