Accelerated certification of 5G NR NTN and satellite devices.

Anritsu has expanded its 5G NR NTN testing capabilities by adding 3GPP-compliant wireless test cases to the New Radio RF Conformance Test System ME7873NR. The 3GPP RAN5 Technical Working Group, which is responsible for 5G device test specifications, developed these test cases. Using the ME7873NR allows creation of an evaluation environment for 5G NR NTN devices.

The NTN is a communication system that integrates satellite communication and airborne technologies along with terrestrial infrastructure, leveraging satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO).

3GPP Release 17 introduces "NR NTN”, which includes Non-Terrestrial Networks into the 5G New Radio (NR) standards. With this advance, 5G devices can connect to satellites using the same protocols as terrestrial base stations, paving the way for global 5G coverage beyond traditional infrastructure.

"By adding 3GPP-compliant NR NTN test cases to the ME7873NR, we enable faster evaluation and certification of 5G NR NTN devices." says Daizaburo Yokoo, General Manager of Anritsu’s Mobile Solutions Division. "This supports development of devices delivering uninterrupted mobile data, voice, and messaging connectivity everywhere on Earth."

Moving forward, NR NTN test cases will be designated as Work Items for standardization by GCF/PTCRB in the areas of radio frequency (RF), radio resource management (RRM), and protocol conformity testing (PCT). Anritsu collaborated with chipset vendors to conduct early verification, and successfully obtained passing test data, allowing the company to plan for data submission and certification acquisition immediately after the Work Item is established.

Product Overview.
The ME7873NR is a 3GPP-compliant 5G RF conformance test platform certified by both the Global Certification Forum (GCF) and PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB). It supports Frequency Range 1 (FR1, Sub-6 GHz) out-of-the-box, and combining it with an OTA (CATR) chamber* adds support for Frequency Range 2 (FR2, mmWave).

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*1 OTA (CATR) Chamber: Compact Antenna Test Range. A 3GPP-compliant CATR anechoic chamber designed to block external radio waves and prevent internal reflections to accurately measure wireless device performance via over-the-air transmission and reception.

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Non-terrestrial networks test approved.

Anritsu Corporation has announced the successful verification and support of 3GPP RAN5 Rel-17 NR NTN test cases on its 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR.

Non-terrestrial Networks (NTNs) are wireless communication systems that operate above the Earth's surface, utilizing platforms in the air and in Earth's orbit. These platforms include satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO).

3GPP Release 17 introduces "NR NTN" - the inclusion of Non-Terrestrial Networks into the 5G New Radio (NR) standards. This advancement enables 5G devices to connect to satellites using the same protocols as terrestrial base stations, paving the way for global 5G coverage beyond traditional infrastructure.

“Anritsu support for NR NTN test cases will enable ubiquitous connectivity for uninterrupted mobile data, voice and messaging—anywhere on Earth empowering individual users, businesses and industries that need to be connected with always-on access,” said Yokoo Daizaburo, General Manager of Mobile Solutions Division at Anritsu Corporation.

The conformance tests are defined by 3GPP in TS 38.523-1 and aligned with the core requirements in TS 38.331. These tests have been submitted by Anritsu to 3GPP’s Radio Access Network Working Group 5 (RAN WG5). They are available on 3GPP RAN5 portal.

The 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR is registered as Test Platform 251 with both the GCF and PTCRB.

This platform supports 3GPP-based Protocol Conformance Test (PCT) and Carrier Acceptance Testing (CAT) of mobile devices incorporating Multiple Radio Access Technologies. It covers 5G NR in both Standalone and Non-Standalone modes, along with LTE, LTE-Advanced, LTE-A Pro, W-CDMA and now NTN. When paired with Anritsu’s OTA RF chamber MA8171A and RF converters, the ME7834NR supports testing in sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G NR frequency bands.

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