5G NTN satellite testing

NTN device testing

Solutions for NTN mobile device testing

NTN purpose and use cases

The goal of non terrestrial networks (NTN) is complete coverage: bringing wireless connectivity everywhere, even to remote areas that do not have access to terrestrial networks.

NTN has many important use cases: it ensures ubiquitous access to 5G basic services and revolutionizes IoT capabilities, enables efficient disaster response in areas without terrestrial network access, supports advanced maritime and airtime connectivity and much more.

Rohde & Schwarz solutions support all aspects of NTN device testing, enabling faster time-to-market, improving product quality and ensuring adherence to industry standards and regulatory requirements.

Device testing for NTN NB-IoT

Mobile devices for NTN-IoT are designed to enable seamless communication and data exchange. Examples include IoT sensors, trackers, smart meters, wearable devices and industrial monitoring devices. These devices typically feature low power consumption, optimized network protocols and support for various IoT communication technologies such as narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) or long-term evolution for machines (LTE-M).

NTN-IoT device developers need to understand the distinctions between various satellite orbits and their implications. Testing NTN-IoT devices for different orbits is crucial to optimize performance, connectivity reach and overall techno economics.

  • Geosynchronous orbit (GSO) covers higher latitudes, including the Earth's poles, expanding IoT reach.
  • Geostationary orbit (GEO) ensures continuous regional coverage and simplifies antenna design.
  • Low Earth orbit (LEO) provides low latency and fast data transmission, ensuring robust connectivity even under challenging conditions.

Differences between NTN-IoT and NTN-NR devices

NTN-NR devices include smartphones, tablets, laptops and other mobile devices that are equipped with 5G NR modems or chipsets. These devices enable users to access advanced 5G services and benefit from reliable communication everywhere, regardless of geographical location.

NTN-NR devices utilize a larger bandwidth than NTN-IoT devices. They can offer increased throughput and operate over an extended spectrum ranging from 1 GHz to 30 GHz. NTN-IoT and NTN-NR devices share many features, but the signaling layer of NTN-NR devices is specifically tailored and optimized for mobility, including conditional handovers for transitions between TN-NTN, NTN-TN and intra/intersatellite. This optimization enables uninterrupted voice, data and messaging services across all geographical locations.

NTN device conformance testing

NTN device conformance testing verifies that the devices intended for NTN communication comply with specific technical standards, such as those set by 3GPP, ETSI, FCC and ITU. This ensures reliable, efficient communications. The test process addresses the unique challenges of NTN communication, such as propagation delays and Doppler effects, to confirm that devices can handle the long signal round trip times and frequency shifts caused by satellite movement.

Key testing categories include radio frequency (RF) testing, protocol testing, performance testing, carrier acceptance testing and interoperability testing. These tests are conducted by accredited test laboratories within the industry, adhering to standards set by GCF and PTCRB for certification as well as regulatory requirements such as CE.

Master your NTN device testing challenges

The dynamic nature of non-terrestrial communication, the complexities of satellite connectivity and the evolving technological landscape present a range of challenges, such as:

  • Time synchronization: Distance from UE to satellite causes long absolute delay.
  • Frequency synchronization: Movement of LEO satellites causes Doppler shift.
  • Signal fading: Satellite connectivity requires new fading profiles such as the combination of atmospheric and terrestrial fading and also the emulation of weather specific effects.
  • Low signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR): Long distance causes high free space path loss ending in a low SINR on the UE side.
  • GNSS measurements and satellite ephemerals: UE location must be known in order to calculate distance to satellite.
  • Battery efficiency and power management: Performance-heavy calculations necessitate power saving optimizations.
  • NTN mobility: conditional handover for TN to NTN, NTN to TN, inter/intra satellite

Discover the best NTN device testing solution for you

Rohde & Schwarz offers solutions for every stage of NTN device testing:

For end to end (E2E) NTN testing, Rohde & Schwarz and VIAVI Solutions have jointly developed an NTN digital twin testbed that covers LEO, MEO and GEO. The testbed includes the R&S®CMX500 mobile communication tester - a single box with channel emulation and all 3GPP fading profiles - along with the VIAVI TM500 AS2 and VIAVI TeraVM Real Data Applications (RDA) engine. With this solution, users can:

  • Validate E2E connectivity and performance
  • Measure quality of service (QoS) over large areas with different UE types
  • Measure end user application performance while accounting for the distance, speed and mobility of both satellite and UE
  • Ensure reliable, stable performance

Benefits of our NTN device testing solutions

Rohde & Schwarz NTN device testing solutions offer comprehensive RF verification capabilities for TX/RX signal analysis, network emulation and integrated fading simulations. They facilitate protocol testing and development, ensuring interoperability and adherence to protocol standards. Application testing features IP and NID traffic analysis and user experience testing.

Other benefits include:

  • Faster time-to-market
  • Improved product quality
  • Compliancy to industry standards
  • Scalability
  • Maximized yield and quality in manufacturing
  • Enhanced performance and early issue detection
  • Efficient problem solving with protocol analysis
  • Technical support and resources

If you have any questions please contact us

Products for NTN device testing

R&S®CMX500 5G one box signaling tester

The R&S®CMX500 is a one box signaling tester for 3GPP RF parametric testing and NTN NR device testing. It has channel emulation for LEO, GEO and MEO orbits and enables a unified test environment for all 5G device development stages.

Product information

R&S®CMW500 wideband radio communication tester

The R&S®CMW500 mobile radio tester is the world’s leading LTE and NTN-IoT network simulator. It is a universal test platform for RF integration and protocol development. It supports all 3GPP technologies for IoT and supports NTN NB-IoT up to Release 17.

Product information

R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator

The R&S®SMW200A is the signal generator for the most demanding applications. It is ideal for generating digitally modulated signals that are required for developing new wideband communications systems and verifying 4G and 5G base stations.

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R&S®FSW signal and spectrum analyzer

The R&S®FSW offers an analysis bandwidth of up to 8.3 GHz for measuring wideband-modulated or frequency agile signals like those used in the new 5G NR standard. It can measure multiple standards simultaneously for quick and easy error detection.

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R&S®NGM200 power supply series

R&S®NGM200 series are highly accurate DC power supplies with fast load recovery times. They can function as both a source and a sink to simulate batteries and loads. Short recovery times let them handle fast load changes when mobile devices switch between sleep and transmit modes.

Product information

NTN device testing resources

Webinar: Ensuring NTN-NR device performance

Join us as we explore current NTN market trends and the intricacies of satellite communications architecture.

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Testing NR-NTN devices

Video: Testing NR-NTN devices

Learn about Rohde & Schwarz's unique NR-NTN testing solution that ensures optimal performance of your NR-NTN device.

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Testing NB-NTN devices

Video: Testing NB-NTN devices

Discover Rohde & Schwarz's advanced NB-IoT testing solution, powered by the R&S CMW500 radio communication tester, now supporting optimal NB-NTN functionality.

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Webinar: Ensuring NB-IoT Device NTN Performance

In this webinar, we will explore the latest market trends and best practices for testing and optimizing NTN devices, including using the R&S CMW500 radio communication tester.

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Video: 3GPP Release 17 NB-NTN (non-terrestrial networks) device testing

Watch this video to learn about the R&S CMW500 mobile radio tester, which supports latest 3GPP Release 17 NB-NTN technology for R&D and type approval testing.

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