Rohde & Schwarz Collaborates with Gemalto to Minimize Multi-Region Drive Testing for Lte-Advanced Wireless Modules

Rohde & Schwarz and Gemalto are collaborating to develop new T&M tools that significantly reduce expensive and time-consuming drive tests for LTE and LTE-Advanced modules. These tools solve the challenge of characterizing RF, protocol and application layers in diverse mobile operator networks where different network configurations can cause issues during handovers and roaming.

Munich, February 20, 2018 — Rohde & Schwarz is collaborating with wireless module vendor Gemalto to overcome the problem of extensive real network drive tests in different countries. The solution is to automatically reproduce field-recorded network configurations of Gemalto Cinterion modules on an R&S CMW500 mobile radio tester. Manufacturers can use virtual drive tests during the development phase of LTE and LTE-Advanced modules that will ultimately be used in smartphones as well as in M2M and automotive applications. Network-specific integration tests and field tests include analysis of call drops, cell handover problems and roaming issues, which are especially critical when crossing country and cellular network borders.

Together, Rohde & Schwarz test equipment and Gemalto cellular modules (https://www.gemalto.com/m2m/solutions/modules-terminals) ensure that the protocol stack operates synchronously across all networks and conditions supporting seamless cellular coverage and reliable connectivity before continuing integration and performing further field tests.

“Rohde & Schwarz is a long time trusted partner to Gemalto, helping us rigorously test devices and networks to ensure our products deliver the highest quality our customers expect,” said Andreas Haegele, SVP IoT products, Gemalto. “The new solution reproduces conditions from field test logs in a lab environment allowing us to validate devices under real network conditions and solve potential issues while eliminating time consuming and cost intensive analysis in the field. This is particularly important as we pioneer new technologies such as LTE-M and NB-IoT which have not been previously implemented in smartphones.”

“In cooperation with our partner Gemalto and based on their wireless testing requirements, Rohde & Schwarz has reached a milestone in creating a solution that reduces the extent of critical network operator specific drive tests. By importing relevant network operator parameters extracted from real drive test logs, the R&S CMW500 mobile communication tester offers new tools to significantly reduce expensive and time-consuming field tests,” states Anton Meßmer, Vice President Mobile Radio Tester at Rohde & Schwarz. “Using the extracted parameters, Gemalto can test its cellular modules in various simulation scenarios under controlled, reproducible conditions in the lab.”

Rohde & Schwarz has developed R&S CMWcards software – a graphical protocol test tool that provides a wizard for importing field logs generated by different types of drive test tools (R&S ROMES) and chipset logging tools. After import, R&S CMWcards extracts the base station and core network parameters are extracted along with RF data such as power levels. All relevant field network parameters can be used to recreate the collected drive test data in the lab, using R&S CMWcards for protocol and application tests. This is especially relevant for LTE/LTE-Advanced, WCDMA and GSM as well as cellular IoT standards such as eMTC and NB-IoT.

Accelerating the network drive test process results in faster time to market. Unlike other simulated drive test solutions, R&S CMWcards is the first virtual drive test solution to offer replication of signaling and RF conditions in an easy-to-operate GUI on the R&S CMW500 mobile radio tester.

At MWC 2018, from February 26 to March 1, 2018, Rohde & Schwarz will showcase this test solution with R&S CMWcards on R&S CMW500 and a Gemalto Cinterion LTE-Advanced wireless module in hall 6, booths 6C40/6C51.

For more information about Rohde & Schwarz at Mobile World Congress 2018, go to www.rohde-schwarz.com/mwc.

Rohde & Schwarz

The Rohde & Schwarz technology group develops, produces and markets innovative information and communications technology products for professional users. Rohde & Schwarz focuses on test and measurement, broadcast and media, cybersecurity, secure communications and monitoring and network testing, areas that address many different industry and government-sector market segments. Founded more than 80 years ago, the independent company has an extensive sales and service network in more than 70 countries. On June 30, 2017, Rohde & Schwarz had approximately 10,500 employees. The group achieved a net revenue of approximately EUR 1.9 billion in the 2016/2017 fiscal year (July to June). The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and also has regional hubs in Asia and the USA.

Gemalto

Gemalto (Euronext NL0000400653 GTO) is the global leader in digital security, with 2016 annual revenues of €3.1 billion and customers in over 180 countries. We bring trust to an increasingly connected world.

From secure software to biometrics and encryption, our technologies and services enable businesses and governments to authenticate identities and protect data so they stay safe and enable services in personal devices, connected objects, the cloud and in between.

Gemalto’s solutions are at the heart of modern life, from payment to enterprise security and the internet of things. We authenticate people, transactions and objects, encrypt data and create value for software – enabling our clients to deliver secure digital services for billions of individuals and things.

Our 15,000+ employees operate out of 112 offices, 43 personalization and data centers, and 30 research and software development centers located in 48 countries.

For more information visit www.gemalto.com,

All Topics