S8709A Virtual Drive Test Toolset

Introduction

Mobile operators and manufacturers of 5G devices, chipsets, and network equipment are facing a growing challenge to quickly and cost-effectively deploy new products equipped with more features and technologies. The introduction of 5G NR in non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) modes, and other supporting 5G technologies, such as multi-user massive MIMO, require advanced test solutions to deliver the quality that service users expect. Successful 5G roll outs rely on mobile devices that perform reliably under multi RAT real-world network conditions. 

Most mandated device performance test plans are only covering a minor part of the existing field network configurations and parameters. Moreover, these test cases often use simplified RF propagation and interference conditions in comparison to the real-world field networks. To adequately validate the quality of service experienced by end users, there is a need for more comprehensive testing of multi-mode 5G NR devices that can verify the performance under real-world propagation and interference conditions as experienced in the field.

What is the S8709A Virtual Drive Test Toolset?

Keysight’s S8709A Virtual Drive Test Toolset is a real-world lab test environment for validating 5G devices under a wide range of network signaling and radio channel conditions. It offers a fully controlled test scenario enabling quick and systematic performance validation. Moreover, it enables users to efficiently analyze the performance of 5G new radio (NR) devices deployed in non-standalone (NSA) or standalone (SA) networks and under various mobility scenarios.

By seamlessly integrating Keysight’s 5G channel emulation and network emulation solutions with Keysight’s Nemo Outdoor and 5G Device Analytics tools, users can quickly and easily verify the end-user experience based on real-life mobility scenarios, such as challenging high-speed train conditions, motorways, tunnels, etc . with cell and network parameters from specific mobile network operator networks. The data captured in the field is imported into the S8709A Virtual Drive Test Toolset test scenario, resulting in reliable and repeatable replay of signaling events and radio channel environment in a controlled laboratory environment. 

The S8709A Virtual Drive Test Toolset is a part of Keysight’s comprehensive portfolio of 5G NR design and test solutions that spans the entire workflow from simulation, development, and design verification, to conformance and acceptance testing, and finally manufacturing and deployment. It creates a representation of real-world conditions without a need for comprehensive analysis and simulation of the environment. Lab-based testing enables mobile operators and wireless device manufacturers to quickly and efficiently benchmark mobile devices across different real-world network conditions. The S8709A Virtual Drive Test Toolset therefore accelerates the validation of wireless devices, supporting new design development from prototypes to fully functioning 5G devices.

Who benefits from using the S8709A virtual drive test toolset?

• Mobile operators to verify new devices prior to market launch and assure device and software interoperability with local network configuration 

• Mobile chipset and device manufacturers to stress test software stack, verify interoperability with mobile operator-specific signaling, and validate the compliance of DUT with the typical mobile operator device acceptance test conditions