LTE RF Test Equipment Overview

This document provides an overview of LTE RF test equipment from leading manufacturers, primarily used for testing the RF portion of LTE devices (eNodeB/UE). This information is particularly useful for RF conformance testing of LTE-compatible UEs.

It covers testing equipment from Rohde & Schwarz, Agilent, Anritsu, and more. Specific models discussed include TS8980, CMW500, ME7873L, and E6621A.

Rohde & Schwarz

Model: TS8980

The R&S®TS8980IB and R&S®TS8980FTA are key models for LTE RF testing. (Further details on these models would be included here if available.)

Rohde & Schwarz

Model: CMW500

CMW500 is a well-known Wideband Radio Communication Tester. It’s designed to test wireless devices across various standards and technologies, including:

• GSM Mobile station test
• WCDMA Mobile station (UE) test
• LTE Mobile station test
• Bluetooth
• GPS
• DVB
• FM STEREO RADIO
• WLAN
• WiMAX (MS/BS)
• TD-SCDMA UE test (Mobile Station Test)
• CDMA2000® 1 x RTT specifications for Mobile station testing
• CDMA2000® 1 x EV-DO specifications for Access Terminal testing

Anritsu

Model: ME7873L

ME7873L LTE RF Conformance Test System: This testing platform is ideal for evaluating both transmitter and receiver characteristics of LTE mobile terminals.

This platform was developed following the guidelines of 3GPP TS 36.521-1. It also supports performance and inter-RAT tests (as per TS 36.521-3). Inter-RAT tests support LTE to other RATs and other RATs to LTE.

The other RATs include GSM/UMTS/TD-SCDMA. This LTE test platform supports GCF or PTCRB-approved frequency bands. The supported LTE E-UTRA frequency bands are band-1 to band-25 and band-33 to band-41. Support for unlisted bands can be provided upon special request.

Agilent Technologies

Model: E6621A PXT, LTE Wireless Communications Test Set

E6621A PXT provides LTE test capabilities for RF measurements of LTE UE devices.

3GPP RF conformance Specifications

• 3GPP TS 36.521, Part 1: RF conformance testing for UE
• 3GPP TS 36.521, Part 3: Radio Resource Management (RRM) conformance testing
• 3GPP TS 36.141: RF conformance for eNodeB(BS)