Rohde & Schwarz has partnered with Sony Semiconductor Israel to achieve significant milestones in the deployment of Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT). The collaboration led to the industry’s first successful 3GPP Release 17 NTN NB-IoT Radio Frequency (RF) performance verification and the validation of Protocol Conformance Test-based test cases, marking a pivotal step towards the technology’s market readiness. At the Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2024, Rohde & Schwarz will present a live demonstration of NTN NB-IoT testing, showcasing the capabilities of Sony’s Altair NTN Release 17 IoT device at its booth.
Sony accomplished the verification of all 3GPP-defined RF parameters on its NTN NB-IoT chipset using the R&S CMW500, a state-of-the-art mobile radio tester platform from Rohde & Schwarz. This testing, conducted in both geostationary orbit and geosynchronous orbit, confirmed the chipset’s compliance with the released protocol conformance test cases, demonstrating the device’s exceptional performance and reliability. Furthermore, both entities have committed to fulfilling Skylo’s certified test plan on the R&S CMW500, integral to the carrier acceptance programme.
Additionally, the R&S TS8980 conformance test system by Rohde & Schwarz facilitated RF tests in line with the Global Certification Forum requirements for NTN NB-IoT, establishing the first RF performance verification for an NTN NB-IoT chipset. This achievement underscores Rohde & Schwarz’s commitment to advancing mobile device certification.
Skylo, a leader in NTN, collaborated with Rohde & Schwarz and Sony to ensure that test plans meet industry standards. The Sony Altair ALT1250 chipset, now upgradeable for NTN connectivity, supports dual-mode operations, evidencing the combined effort to ensure NTN NB-IoT technology’s market readiness, reliability, and high performance standards as dictated by Skylo’s Standards Plus.
Rohde & Schwarz’s validation of Sony’s device for NTN NB-IoT emphasises its dedication to facilitating the market adoption of IoT solutions over NTN, bringing wireless connectivity to remote locations without terrestrial network coverage for applications such as SOS messaging and remote monitoring.
At MWC Barcelona 2024, Rohde & Schwarz will exhibit its comprehensive test solution for 3GPP NTN NB-IoT with the R&S CMW500, which supports protocol, Radio Resource Management, and RF conformance testing according to 3GPP standards, as well as the Skylo test plan. This integrated approach ensures compatibility with the Skylo Network, demonstrating the versatility of the R&S CMW500 in addressing the full spectrum of testing requirements from research and development to conformance and operator testing for NTN NB-IoT.
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