nb-iot network testing

NB-IoT/LTE-M network testing

A standard LTE add-on but a completely new coverage challenge

Currently, LTE networks are optimized to deliver high data rates for multimedia services that require high bandwidth. Networks for IoT applications, however, will be optimized for

  • Highest availability (deep indoor penetration)
  • Lowest battery consumption

For the various IoT applications, good network coverage is required to ensure a robust NB-IoT / LTE-M connection. Unlike human beings, IoT installations such as smart meters installed in basements are unable to change position in order to obtain a better signal.

Smart meter in the basement

The Network Coverage Challenge

IoT devices normally cannot move to achieve better connectivity

The following tasks are essential to support the planning and deployment of new IoT networks:

  • Tuning coverage models (used by network planning tools)
  • Checking co-existence with other technologies (e.g. NB-IoT vs. LTE/GSM)
  • Verifying general coverage and also use case-specific coverage
  • Troubleshooting in case of bad performance (QoS, QoE)
  • Benchmarking to compare NB-IoT network coverage and other KPIs

For all these tasks, an accurate NB-IoT coverage test solution is essential. You might think that this could be achieved by measuring with NB-IoT devices. However, an NB-IoT device only supports neighbor cell measurements and cell reselection in idle mode. Consequently, accurate NB-IoT coverage measurements are best executed with a network scanner connected to state-of-the-art analysis software.

Scanner TSMx with ROMES tablet and bag

NB-IoT and LTE-M network testing solutions from Rohde & Schwarz

NB-IoT and LTE-M coverage measurements and device/network interaction tests

This NB-IoT / LTE-M test solution is based on the field-proven R&S®ROMES drive test software for measuring network quality with scanners and test smartphones and covers all cellular technologies.

  • In combination with the scanners, R&S®ROMES offers the first LTE/NB-IoT coverage measurement solution that measures true NB-IoT network coverage
  • We also connect NB-IoT and LTE-M devices to our R&S®ROMES drive test software to monitor the NB-IoT and LTE-M device / network interaction and execute UL tests, including power consumption analysis

drive test software is the universal network optimization tool for collecting and analyzing NB-IoT and LTE-M data.

For more detailed information, see our press release “Rohde & Schwarz mobile network testing pioneers NB-IoT field measurements” on the world's first accurate LTE/NB-IoT coverage measurement solution.

Scanner TSMx with ROMES tablet and bag

NB-IoT base station deployment verification and signal quality

During deployment phase, it is important to verify NB-IoT signal transmission as defined in 3GPP. The handheld spectrum analyzer R&S®FSH supports NB-IoT downlink over-the-air signal measurement.

The spectrum overview shows in-band, guard band and stand-alone NB-IoT carrier and DL power boosting. R&S®FSH helps to depict the signal quality in alphanumeric and in visual form of a constellation diagram e.g. showing the QPSK modulation scheme.

Blog posts

NB-IoT network insights through MIB/SIB demodulation

Our scanner-based solution to measure coverage in NB-IoT networks pioneered NB-IoT field measurements in 2017. This post summarizes our customers’ feedback from thousands of kilometers drive and walk tests, their latest key requirements and our answers to these.

This is part five of our IoT blog post series.

More information

Videos

Ensuring NB-IoT coverage, operation and performance

This webinar discusses that networks for IoT applications require a new approach when deploying and testing cellular IoT. The coordinated use of a network scanner and a cellular IoT device together with our optimization software delivers deep insight into IoT network and service performance, verifying their correct operation and indicating the cause of potential issues.

More information

Documents

Solution guide: mobile network testing

Discover the right test solution for your needs – maximize network quality and performance.

More information

R&S IoT device testing

IoT / M2M device testing

In addition to NB-IoT network testing, we focus also on technology and test solutions for other IoT technologies regarding device testing. You can find more videos/webinars, white papers and application notes, IoT use cases and test solutions on the IoT/M2M device testing IoT page.

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