5G NR deployments require advanced technologies to achieve higher data rates of up to 20 Gbps. The use of wider signal bandwidths, mmWave frequencies, and Massive MIMO with hybrid beamforming, leads to more effective use of the wireless propagation channel to enable these higher data rates. Consequently, designers need to validate the end-to-end performance of multi-mode devices and base stations under real-world complex 3D fading and interference channel conditions.

To address this growing need, Keysight’s PROPSIM F64 5G Channel Emulation Solution supports all 5G NR signal bandwidths, carrier aggregation (CA) schemes, and offers the highest number of channels for massive MIMO channel emulation and testing. The solution integrates state-of-the-art channel modeling tools for user-defined 3D spatial scenarios and dynamic modeling of movement. It supports both conducted and Over-The-Air (OTA) testing across sub 6 GHz and mmWave frequencies.

“With the PROPSIM F64 5G launch, Keysight is the first to deliver a portfolio of 5G NR-ready channel emulation solutions across all 5G new radio signal bandwidths and carrier aggregation schemes” said Kailash Narayanan, vice president and general manager for Wireless Device and Operators at Keysight. “The new 5G Channel Emulation solution delivers end-to-end realistic and repeatable real-world performance testing in the lab, and enables real world emulation of networks essential for 5G deployment.”

The PROPSIM F64 5G integrates seamlessly with Keysight’s end-to-end network emulation portfolio to address the entire device workflow from R&D to design validation to manufacturing. This enables users to validate protocol layers and radio frequency (RF) performance of a 5G NR device as well as gain access to key performance indicators for beam management, data throughput and stability under 5G fading channel conditions.

In December 2017, Keysight was also first to introduce a 5G NR-ready network emulation solution which allows the entire mobile ecosystem to benefit from a common scripting engine that uses interactive 5G stack and tools, breaking down the silos and disconnected workflows between teams, and achieving cost-efficient testing.