Simplifying 5G NR 3GPP R&D RF Conformance Testing

SA Mode According to 3GPP 38.521-1

Device certification for compliance with 3GPP specifications is a crucial step in the launch of 5G NR user equipment (UE). As the demand for high-performance connectivity continues to rise, ensuring that devices meet industry standards is essential for delivering reliable and efficient service. To ensure optimal modem performance, RF conformance testing needs to be initiated early in the product development process. This approach enables teams to swiftly identify and address potential issues, minimizing delays and enhancing the overall quality of the final product.

The R&S®CMX500 3GPP RF conformance WebGUI solution offers a fast and intuitive platform for executing NR-FR1 Standalone (SA) test cases in accordance with the 3GPP 38.521-1 specification. Its manual verification capabilities make it particularly well-suited for early-stage validation, debugging, and step-by-step verification of test cases, leveraging the comprehensive toolset provided by the R&S®CMX500 WebGUI.

This application note serves as a comprehensive guide for R&D professionals, detailing the setup, configuration, execution, and verification of selected 3GPP test cases with just a few clicks in the GUI. Please note that the test steps outlined in this document require the CMX-KC661B license (SA FR1 3GPP RF Test Scenarios), in addition to the NR signaling license CMX-KS600B and the NR FR1 measurement license CMX-KM600. All descriptions, configurations and limits are based on 3GPP TS38.521-1 V18.4.0 (2024-11).