CIE Components in Electronics
Rohde & Schwarz and MediaTek have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on developing test solutions for 5G. A first joint 5G technology proof-of-concept trial for 28 GHz beam tracking for mobile environments is being showcased at the Mobile World Congress 2017.
The purpose of the cooperation is to be strategic partners in driving 5G developments in several areas including mm-waves for 5G radio access and over-the-air (OTA) testing concepts for massive MIMO antenna arrays.
Antenna technology with adaptive beam steering and tracking in order to deliver robust mobile broadband communications in the mm-Wave frequency range in mobile environments is one of the key ingredients of 5G technology. The joint proof-of-concept demonstration of MediaTek and Rohde & Schwarz at the MWC2017 employs a hierarchical beam architecture for coarse and fine beams and MediaTek’s proprietary calibration and characterization techniques for beamforming optimisation. The 5G mm-wave signals at 28 GHz are created via an R&S SMW200A vector signal generator and MediaTek’s mm-wave prototype platform. The signal can be received and analysed by the R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyser. Test equipment from Rohde & Schwarz proves to be an ideal tool for the higher frequency bands.
Roland Steffen, executive vice president Test & Measurement at Rohde & Schwarz, said: ‘We are delighted to collaborate with MediaTek to contribute with our test & measurement expertise to 5G technology development. With a strong global footprint for 4G and close cooperation with partners, Rohde & Schwarz is committed to accompany the evolution path from 4G to 5G with innovative test and measurement solutions.’
“We are very pleased to partner with R&S to develop our 5G proof-of-concept trial system at 28 GHz,” said Kevin Jou, senior corporate vice president and chief technology officer of MediaTek. “Our test terminal device adopts a hierarchical beam-searching algorithm for better tracking in a mobile environment and a unique beam-calibration method to improve received signal quality. Together with an established portfolio of world-mode cellular modem solutions, these technologies position MediaTek well to enable the cellular ecosystem a smooth evolution towards 5G.”
