Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) has launched the CMW100 communications manufacturing test set for testing and validation of sub-6 GHz 3GPP 5G new radio (NR)-based devices. The 3rd Gene­ration Partnership Project’s (3GPP) 5G NR will support frequency ranges up to 52.6 GHz. However, initial 5G designs will use frequencies below 6 GHz with a focus on 3.5 GHz. For sub-6 GHz carrier frequencies, 3GPP currently discusses a maximum bandwidth per component carrier of 100 MHz. The R&S CMW100 communications manufacturing test set has a measurement bandwidth of 160 MHz, enabling the testing of initial 5G NR sub-6 GHz wireless devices.

Due to its high measurement speed, the R&S CMW100 is suitable for high volume production environments. The R&S CMW100 is suitable for all types of wireless devices supporting long term evolution, wireless local area network and Bluetooth, besides 5G NR sub-6 GHz. This makes it a cost-effective solution for the mass production of cellular and non-cellular devices calibrated and verified in the so-called non-signalling mode. According to the company, manufacturers of handsets and devices will benefit from a variety of measurement functionalities as they will no more need to invest separately in equipment, training and adaptation.