Keysight Gains First Validation of 5G New Radio FR1 1024-QAM Demodulation Test Cases

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) gained validations for the industry’s first 5G NR FR1 1024-QAM demodulation test cases based on the 3GPP TS 38.521-4 test specification. The validated test cases, which are for use with Keysight’s 5G network emulation conformance test platform (TP168), were secured at the Conformance Agreement Group (CAG) # 79 meeting of the Global Certification Forum (GCF) in July.

Developed by 3GPP, 5G New Radio (NR) radio access technology delivers the performance needed to support enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), which provides end users with better multimedia experiences through higher data rates, increased bandwidth, improved reliability, and lower latency. eMBB services can be improved further in the 5G FR1 frequency range by using 1024-QAM modulation, which significantly enhances spectral efficiency and data throughput rates.

Keysight achieved these test case validations through the addition of 1024-QAM support on the E7515B UXM 5G Test platform, which is available as a software-only upgrade to existing users. By achieving this validation milestone, Keysight enables users to thoroughly validate their devices, ensuring full compliance before their products are launched in the market.

Keysight also achieved test case validation for WI-528 Release 16 NR Demodulation Performance Enhancements, which is now open for certification following Keysight’s validations in several frequency bands. This work item is supported by multiple operators, with test cases checking the incremental downlink performance when a transmitter is configured based on a precoding matrix index reported by the device instead of using a random value.

Muthu Kumaran, General Manager of Keysight’s Device Acceptance Solutions, said: “Keysight remains dedicated to helping chipset and device manufacturers verify and obtain certification for their New Radio devices supporting the most advanced 3GPP Release 16 and Release 17 features. Following extensive collaboration with our customers, we are pleased that the Global Certification Forum has officially recognized our validation status for 1024-QAM. These test cases enable the rigorous testing of NR devices, ensuring their successful entry into the market with confidence.”

Resources

• S8705A RF/RRM & DVT Conformance Toolset
• RF & RRM Conformance Test for R16 Capable 5G NR Device 
• Keysight Validations at CAG 77 - Demodulation Performance Enhancements

About Keysight Technologies   

At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we're delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product life cycle. We're a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com. 

Keysight Contact:

Paul Erwin, Americas
+1 248 430–9075
[email protected]

Fusako Dohi, Asia 
+81 42 660–2162
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Jenny Gallacher, Europe
+44 (0) 7800 737–982
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