Anritsu Corporation has broadened its 5G testing portfolio with the launch of new test cases designed for non-terrestrial network (NTN) devices, accelerating certification for satellite-connected 5G equipment.
The Japanese test and measurement company has added 3GPP-compliant wireless test cases to its ME7873NR New Radio RF Conformance Test System, enabling manufacturers to evaluate 5G devices that operate via satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geostationary orbit (GEO).
The new test cases were developed under the 3GPP RAN5 Technical Working Group, which sets standards for 5G device testing. They align with Release 17 of the 3GPP standards, which introduced “NR NTN” functionality, allowing 5G devices to communicate over satellite networks using the same protocols as terrestrial base stations.
Daizaburo Yokoo, General Manager of Anritsu’s Mobile Solutions Division, said the addition of NR NTN test cases to the ME7873NR would “enable faster evaluation and certification of 5G NR NTN devices” and support the development of products that provide uninterrupted connectivity worldwide.
Anritsu has collaborated with chipset vendors to perform early verification, obtaining passing test data, which positions the company to submit results for formal certification as soon as the relevant GCF and PTCRB Work Items are established. The ME7873NR platform, already certified by the Global Certification Forum (GCF) and PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB), supports sub-6 GHz frequencies out of the box and, when combined with an over-the-air Compact Antenna Test Range chamber, adds millimetre-wave capabilities.
The move reflects a broader push by equipment vendors to support non-terrestrial 5G networks, which are seen as a key enabler of global connectivity for remote regions and critical infrastructure.
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