Anritsu Corporation is pleased to announce that it is the first test equipment vendor to achieve Global Certification Forum (GCF) approved test case validation for LTE evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (eMBMS) Band 4 and Band 13 RF conformance test cases.
eMBMS is a 3GPP Release 9 defined multicast service standard for LTE mobile networks aimed at implementing larger-capacity data transmissions than supported by the legacy MBMS technology. The key merits of eMBMS technology are simultaneous broadcasting of data to unspecified numbers of users using LTE network frequencies, which offers a high distribution efficiency than the older unicast one base station to one terminal system as well as suppression of network load.
Additionally, this technology can be used during live broadcasts to send multiple video streams from different angles to users at locations where many people are gathered together, such as concerts, sports events, etc.
Commercial services have already started from 2014 in South Korea and are expected to start soon in North America.
With this new release approved by GCF in October 2014, Anritsu has become the world?s first company to win GCF validation for WI-164 E-UTRA MBMS Rel-9 FDD conformance test cases supporting Band 4 and Band 13 used in North America. As a result, Anritsu measurement solutions now support GCF validated LTE eMBMS conformance tests for frequencies expected to enter commercial service in North America before the year end.
Installing the developed eMBMS option in the ME7873L supports GCF eMBMS tests. Anritsu is continuing its focus on winning GCF/ PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB) validations to help facilitate early rollout of LTE eMBMS in various frequency bands.
Terminology
ME7873L RF Conformance Test System: This is a test platform for confirming that the RF TRX characteristics, performance, etc., of LTE/LTE-Advanced terminals conform to the 3GPP standards. It supports LTE/LTE-Advanced RF/RRM conformance tests for use at Japanese, North American and Asian mobile carrier acceptance testing.
Global Certification Forum (GCF): Standards organization defining operation rules and mobile terminal validation test standards to assure global interconnectivity of mobile terminals. GCF-approved measurement systems and measurement items assure test compliance (measurement procedure and measurement accuracy) with required conditions at mobile terminal validation tests.
RF Conformance Test Cases: Test items for confirming compliance of mobile terminal TRX characteristics, performance, etc., with 3GPP standards
WI-164 E-UTRA MBMS Rel-9 FDD: Test items defined by GCF for validating compliance of mobile terminals supporting FDD eMBMS functions with 3GPP LTE Release 9 standards
PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB): Like GCF, standards organization defining operation rules and mobile terminal validation test standards to assure global interconnectivity of mobile terminals but targeting frequency bands used by some North American mobile carriers. PTCRB-approved measurement systems and measurement items assure test compliance (measurement procedure and measurement accuracy) with required conditions at mobile terminal validation tests.
LTE eMBMS (LTE evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service): This is one technology standard for streaming multicast video over LTE networks.
