NB-IoT: How to find NB-IoT carriers in the spectrum (part 6)

November 21, 2018 | by Gregor Tomic

NB-IoT carriers are very difficult, if not impossible, to find. The Automatic Channel Detection (ACD) feature in R&S®ROMES4 does the job automatically. But, what makes finding and identifying NB-IoT carriers so difficult in the first place? And, what implementation modes are there, and how do they differ from one another?

Read more

Machine learning in mobile network testing (part 1)

November 7, 2018 | by Miguel Román

Telecom leaders believe that machine learning (ML) will be key to deriving and inferring user behavior and expectations. This blog series demonstrates our ML applications on drive test data by discussing specific use cases and customer benefits. To start, we will discuss artificial intelligence in general.

Read more

5G NR network rollout is now – let’s test! (part 4)

September 12, 2018 | by Arnd Sibila

The first 5G standard, specified in the 3GPP Release 15, contains a high degree of flexibility in radio parameters that complicates network measurements. We conducted measurements in pre-commercial 5G trial networks with our commercially available 5G NR network measurement solution and gained early insights into performance, capabilities, and frequency band.

Read more

5G: First independent 5G test network benchmark study (part 3)

August 29, 2018 | by Arnd Sibila

US-based Signals Research Group (SRG) trusts the prototype measurement system designed by Rohde & Schwarz to meet the aggressive timeline of early 5G adopters. Learn about SRG’s findings in the first independent 5G test network benchmark study using the R&S®TSMA autonomous drive test scanner to collect valuable downlink performance metrics.

NB-IoT network insights through MIB/SIB demodulation (part 5)

August 10, 2018 | by Andreas Spachtholz

NB-IoT networks are designed for machine-to-machine communication, which generally requires low data rates. When building NB-IoT networks, it is essential to test the performance of new implementations to ensure the required network quality. Quality of service (QoS) tests are typically performed with NB-IoT modules that are controlled by software.

Read more

5G: Initial 5GTF coverage measurements (part 2)

June 12, 2018 | by Arnd Sibila

The US operator Verizon Wireless trusts our 5GTF prototype measurement backpack solution to test signal quality and to measure the coverage of fixed wireless access (FWA) in the 28 GHz frequency band. Before 3GPP, Verizon Wireless and partners created a pre-5G specification called 5G Technical Forum (5GTF).

5G: The role of mobile network testing on the path to 5G (part 1)

May 22, 2018 | by Arnd Sibila

Long before commercial services are available, everyone is talking about 5G, creating a buzz and setting high expectations in the new standard. What’s the role of mobile network testing on the path to 5G? How can scanner measurements help operators pave the way to the next generation of mobile networks?

NB-IoT: How to test quality of service in NB-IoT networks (part 4)

December 28, 2017 | by Andreas Spachtholz

NB-IoT networks are designed for machine-to-machine communication, which generally requires low data rates. When building NB-IoT networks, it is essential to test the performance of new implementations to ensure the required network quality. Quality of service (QoS) tests are typically performed with NB-IoT modules that are controlled by software.

Read more

NB-IoT: Field report with results from NB-IoT UE measurements (part 3)

September 4, 2017 | by Magnus Hylén

This field report describes key measurement results that we obtained by using NB-IoT user equipment (UE) as data collection tools. Read on and discover our findings from connecting pre-commercial NB-IoT modules and modems to the R&S®ROMES4 drive test software for network engineering and optimization.

Read more

NB-IoT: Scanners are a must for coverage measurements (part 2)

July 20, 2017 | by Manuel Mielke

In a previous article, we described typical use cases of the Internet of Things (IoT). We identified that networks for IoT applications would be optimized for the highest availability, particularly for applications under extreme receive conditions such as smart meters. Learn here how scanners help to master the coverage challenge.

Read more

NB-IoT: Overview of Internet of Things with a focus on NB-IoT (part 1)

June 22, 2017 | by Arnd Sibila

Use cases for the Internet of Things (IoT) are virtually unlimited, from smart homes and buildings to wearables and fabrics to healthcare and factories. Get an overview of the current technologies and IoT developments made by the 3GPP and learn why network coverage is a key concern in the IoT market.

Read more

Monitoring network performance is key to accessing 5G enterprise market

June 8, 2017 | by Jeremy Carpenter

While the 5G specifications are still being finalized, it is clear that operators wanting to access the new industry verticals will significantly benefit from monitoring network performance carefully. Learn how the SmartMonitor management software manages multiple probes and schedule tests remotely, giving high-level feedback in real time.

Read more

Benchmarking & optimization

More information

Field services & interference hunting

More information

Testing from RF to QoE

More information

New e-book provides unparalleled insight into the 5G NR world

What's the status of 5G NR? What are the test and measurement requirements, and how do we approach them? Download our new e-book now and get unparalleled insight into the world of 5G NR.

More information

The world's first 5G NR network measurement solution

Rohde & Schwarz is pioneering 5G New Radio (5G NR) network measurements with the world's first commercially available 5G NR network measurement solution. This solution enables users in the 5G network ecosystem as well as regulators to measure the 5G NR network coverage accurately - one of the biggest challenges in the network planning.

More information

Pioneers in NB-IoT field measurements

We are paving the way to NB-IoT by provding the world's first accurate LTE/NB-IoT coverage measurement solution: via a software upgrade, the R&S ROMES drive test software now also supports NB-IoT coverage measurements with R&S TSMx scanners.

More information