5G revolutionizes the way systems in our physical and social environment (PSE) interact with technology. It offers high data transfer rates and low latency that enable new applications in autonomous cars, telemedicine and other technologies.

For these technologies to work, engineers require accurate test equipment. They also need the ability to perform tests in different geographic areas to simulate user mobility.

High Speed

5G is a wireless technology that offers high speed communication capabilities. This allows mobile devices to connect to the internet with ease and quickly download files. It also allows for HD video streaming and virtual reality games. This technology is ideal for businesses that rely on data transfer.

5G will be able to offer faster download speeds and more coverage than 4G. This will benefit industries that rely on data transmission, such as medical and business services. The high-speed network will enable these companies to provide better customer service and increase productivity.

In a recent test, Ericsson and Telstra demonstrated the first 3GPP end-to-end New Radio (NR) data call over 39 GHz spectrum in a live commercial network. The test used a smartphone form factor mobile device and Qualcomm hardware to achieve a single user uplink data rate of 1Gbps – more than double current upload speeds on commercial networks.

The test was the latest milestone in a long-term collaboration between Ericsson and Telstra to deliver the best 5G experience for Australian subscribers. In addition to demonstrating the benefits of NR dual connectivity, this demonstration showed how commercial mmWave networks can benefit from carrier aggregation in the sub-6 GHz band.

RF drive test is an important tool for telecom companies to assess the quality of their network. It helps them determine the signal strength, mobile network latency and voice call KPIs of their subscriber base. This information can be used to improve the network and enhance customer service. In addition, it can help CSPs optimize their network and troubleshoot issues.

Low Latency

The fifth generation of mobile networks, 5G, promises ultra-low latency communication for a variety of uses. Its ability to transfer data quickly and reliably will improve internet connectivity, digital streaming, and gaming for consumers around the world. 5G’s low latency will also open up possibilities for new applications such as remote surgery and virtual reality [31].

The technology behind 5G enables faster speeds with less delay. It can communicate with multiple devices at the same time and respond to incoming signals in milliseconds (a millisecond is 1/1000 of a second). This translates into incredibly fast response times for applications such as autonomous vehicles, augmented reality media, and even telemedicine.

To deliver on the promise of a fast and reliable network, 5G must be tested to verify its capabilities. To do so, telecom test equipment is used to collect RF logs, analyze the data, and evaluate whether cell tower sectors are providing coverage as expected by Telcos. RF drive test tools are the best option for assessing the performance of 5G networks and ensuring that they are delivering high-quality service to end users.

The speed and reliability of 5G depends on several factors, including the antenna arrays and signal-to-noise ratio. The increased fiber and connection density of the network, along with millimeter wave frequencies, require more sensitive test instruments and a more sophisticated approach to spectrum analysis than what was required for previous generations of mobile communications networks.

Scalability

With scalable communication capabilities, 5G can support various services and applications. It can be used for high-speed internet connectivity, massive machine type communication (eMTC), ultra-high definition and virtual reality media streaming, remote control of IoT devices with low latency, and more. It also offers mobile broadband with greater bandwidth and lower data rate, reducing smartphone battery consumption and cost.

Several technical milestones have been achieved to further accelerate the development of 5G. For example, Ericsson recently demonstrated that a single user can achieve uplink data rates of 315 Mbps on a C Band (5G New Radio) device using commercial hardware and chipsets. The company also conducted an over-the-air interoperability test with 8 component carriers aggregating 800 MHz of millimeter wave spectrum.

Another important development was the completion of a standalone 5G mobile phone call over mmWave in a live network, using the Telstra commercial 850 MHz network. This is the longest distance a standalone 5G mmWave FWA call has been completed to date, at a distance of more than seven kilometers from the site.

RF drive test is a critical tool for telecom service providers to evaluate the performance of their cell towers and assess coverage criteria. These tests collect signal strength, mobile network latency, voice call KPIs etc along with GPS coordinates to check if the cell tower sectors are covering the areas intended by the telecom operators.

Flexibility

5G provides an unprecedented level of flexibility for communications. For example, 5G networks can support a large number of data services with very high speeds, and they can also deliver different levels of network reliability to meet the needs of various applications. This flexibility is possible due to the fact that 5G uses different frequencies for uplink and downlink communication. It also offers high capacity and wide coverage. This allows it to meet the diverse requirements of different industries.

For example, doctors can use a 5G connection to share and store large files like MRI reports. This flexibility enables them to provide better care for patients. It can also be used to support smart transportation systems. In addition, 5G can be used to broadcast high-definition TV and video content to multiple devices.

Ericsson and Intel have completed a live test of 5G carrier aggregation using a smartphone prototype. This was achieved with commercial hardware and chipsets from MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ and Qualcomm Snapdragon X65 5G modem-RF system, combined with the Ericsson radio, transport and core network solutions.

Telia and Ericsson have demonstrated a new approach to mobile backhaul with a trial of dynamic radio resource partitioning on a 5G network. This aims to improve the performance of mobile networks by reducing network complexity and improving user experience. The trial showcases how 5G mmWave technologies can support the diverse needs of mobile subscribers. This includes cloud virtual reality game streaming with low latency and reduced battery consumption.