R&S mobile network testing supports the latest smartphones with Snapdragon 888 and Exynos 2100 chipsets and empowers MNOs to ensure ideal subscriber QoE

Recently, Samsung launched its new flagship device, the Galaxy S21, S21+ and Ultra 5G, based on the new Snapdragon 888 and Exynos 2100 chipset and Xiaomi introduced its flagship Mi11, also powered by the third-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon X60 5G modem. For mobile network operators, the device and chipset behavior verification of new devices are crucial steps in the network lifecycle in order to optimize network parameters and to ultimately ensure an ideal quality of experience (QoE) for their subscribers.

In such a dynamic environment, it is important to have a reliable partner and a flexible solution which reduces time-to-market for new devices, technologies and services. Rohde & Schwarz enables its customers already today to implement thorough lab, field and QoE-centric testing throughout its entire solution portfolio and based on the latest flagship smartphones and chipsets.

Combined with a R&S®TSMx scanner, the universal software for network engineering, optimization and troubleshooting R&S®ROMES4 allows to measure and visualize all key network KPIs and parameters including throughput performance, connection details with band and channel information, decoded layer 3 signaling information, network events, specific 5G features such as DSS (dynamic spectrum sharing), 5G SA (stand-alone) mode, 5G CA across TDD-FDD bands and enhanced 5G MIMO functions which are particularly interesting to network operators.

The R&S®ROMES4 screenshot further above and its detailed views show various important information for a typical lab engineering use case, here based on the connected smartphone Xiaomi Mi11 with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset:

• Overview of the connected smartphone´s activity, showing several Component Carriers for 4G and 5G
• UE capability information (e.g. overview of supported band combinations and DSS related information prior to release to subscribers)
• Layer 3 view with network events, for example to dig deep into the layer 3 information flow and events

The smartphone-based RF and QoE testing solution QualiPoc supports the latest QoS and QoE test features and offers service quality tests for voice, data and video, including the new YouTube 4K video streaming test. The print screen of a QualiPoc monitor below, shows an overview of measured key parameters with a Samsung S21+ 5G device while connected to a 5G network.

In combination with the latest software release 20.3, our MNT solutions offer among many more, the following test feature highlights:

R&S®ROMES4

• Complete 5G stand-alone (SA) and DSS support
• 5G stand-alone events for an improved troubleshooting capability

R&S®TSMx scanner

• Detection of 5G SA/NSA mode with the scanner
• Absolute arrival time measurements to measure the timing alignment error
• Ultra-high frequency accuracy measurements to detect the real transmitted SSB frequency position

QualiPoc

• Timing alignment error (TAE) and frequency accuracy measurements
• YouTube 4K video streaming test
• 5G standalone (SA) support and 5G technology and band forcing

The new flagship product Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+ and Ultra 5G are supported by our entire solution portfolio for mobile network testing. The Xiaomi Mi 11 currently on our network optimization tool R&S®ROMES4. If you need more information use the contact form below or get in direct contact with your local sales. To keep-up with our latest news, follow us on our LinkedIn channel.