4×4 MIMO in LTE and 5G – the underestimated feature in mobile networks

Written by Michael Lorenz | July 4, 2018
Updated by Arnd Sibila | September 6, 2024

Network densification and the introduction of new frequencies are time-consuming and cost intensive. The implementation of higher-order MIMO features into existing radio networks, however, will boost peak data rates throughout the network and deliver an additional capacity gain. 4×4 MIMO is the current state-of-the-art approach to improve LTE and 5G networks.

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Network tests pave the way for smart factories

May 23, 2021 | by Arnd Sibila

5G has everything future smart factories need for wireless connectivity, but network tests are essential to make setting up and operating these networks easy and reliable.

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Smart factories: Network testing is essential to ensure quality and performance (part 2)

November 23, 2020 | by Arnd Sibila

Factory owners who have successfully applied for 5G spectrum dedicated to private or campus networks need to ensure that their mobile network’s critical KPIs are met, namely reliability and latency. This article discusses the different test phases to provide high-quality smart factory deployments while verifying and monitoring quality and performance.

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Smart factories: Mobile network characteristics and main KPIs (part 1)

September 17, 2020 | by Arnd Sibila

The 3GPP Release 16, heavily influenced by the automotive and connected industries, is expected to offer significant improvements in latency reduction, network synchronization, and 5G integration. Let’s examine how these developments will make 5G a suitable technology for fulfilling smart factory requirements and how testing network reliability meets factory owners’ operational and security needs.

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Network Performance Score: Initiate improvements with a QoE-centric score

January 17, 2019 | by Arnd Sibila

The Network Performance Score (NPS) is a QoE-centric score based on the harmonizing and integrative scoring methodology for end-to-end QoS benchmarking and scoring published by ETSI. The NPS integrates the main KPIs of the most popular services into a single score that describes network performance from a true end-user perspective.

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5G NR network rollout is now – let’s test! (part 4)

September 12, 2018 | by Arnd Sibila

The first 5G standard, specified in the 3GPP Release 15, contains a high degree of flexibility in radio parameters that complicates network measurements. We conducted measurements in pre-commercial 5G trial networks with our commercially available 5G NR network measurement solution and gained early insights into performance, capabilities, and frequency band.

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5G: First independent 5G test network benchmark study (part 3)

August 29, 2018 | by Arnd Sibila

US-based Signals Research Group (SRG) trusts the prototype measurement system designed by Rohde & Schwarz to meet the aggressive timeline of early 5G adopters. Learn about SRG’s findings in the first independent 5G test network benchmark study using the R&S®TSMA autonomous drive test scanner to collect valuable downlink performance metrics.

5G: Initial 5GTF coverage measurements (part 2)

June 12, 2018 | by Arnd Sibila

The US operator Verizon Wireless trusts our 5GTF prototype measurement backpack solution to test signal quality and to measure the coverage of fixed wireless access (FWA) in the 28 GHz frequency band. Before 3GPP, Verizon Wireless and partners created a pre-5G specification called 5G Technical Forum (5GTF).

5G: The role of mobile network testing on the path to 5G (part 1)

May 22, 2018 | by Arnd Sibila

Long before commercial services are available, everyone is talking about 5G, creating a buzz and setting high expectations in the new standard. What’s the role of mobile network testing on the path to 5G? How can scanner measurements help operators pave the way to the next generation of mobile networks?

NB-IoT: Overview of Internet of Things with a focus on NB-IoT (part 1)

June 22, 2017 | by Arnd Sibila

Use cases for the Internet of Things (IoT) are virtually unlimited, from smart homes and buildings to wearables and fabrics to healthcare and factories. Get an overview of the current technologies and IoT developments made by the 3GPP and learn why network coverage is a key concern in the IoT market.

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HetNets/small cells: Indoor deployments overview

March 16, 2017 | by Arnd Sibila

Discover how indoor deployments can help operators meet the exponentially growing data demands in mobile networks. In this overview, we will outline the indoor deployment process and deliberate the pros and cons of different types of indoor deployments, such as distributed antenna systems (DAS) and small cells.

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Smart macro network enhancements: Antenna tilt optimization (part 3)

January 19, 2017 | by Arnd Sibila

Antenna tilt optimization is a cost-efficient and smart approach to increase the capacity in mobile networks, especially in dense urban areas. Given the exponentially growing data demand and network densification, discover how operators can optimize their network in terms of coverage and capacity by adequately aligning their antennas.

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Benchmarking & optimization

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Field services & interference hunting

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Innovations in mobile network testing

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Testing from RF to QoE

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New e-book provides unparalleled insight into the 5G NR world

What's the status of 5G NR? What are the test and measurement requirements, and how do we approach them? Download our new e-book now and get unparalleled insight into the world of 5G NR.

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The world's first 5G NR network measurement solution

Rohde & Schwarz is pioneering 5G New Radio (5G NR) network measurements with the world's first commercially available 5G NR network measurement solution. This solution enables users in the 5G network ecosystem as well as regulators to measure the 5G NR network coverage accurately - one of the biggest challenges in the network planning.

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Pioneers in NB-IoT field measurements

We are paving the way to NB-IoT by provding the world's first accurate LTE/NB-IoT coverage measurement solution: via a software upgrade, the R&S ROMES drive test software now also supports NB-IoT coverage measurements with R&S TSMx scanners.

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