Base Station Solutions Test Radio Channel Performance under MIMO, mMIMO and Complex Interference Scenarios

Massive MIMO (mMIMO) provides increased cell capacity for 5G and LTE. Using the right tools enables quick performance optimization and validation of network-device interoperability. Integration and optimization of O-RAN RU and DU elements for optimal operation are essential for multi-vendor network end-to-end performance.

With the advanced massive MIMO solution, all antenna array ports are sampled simultaneously allowing realistic modeling of spatial separation between multiple mobile devices for multi-user MIMO 3D beamform validation. You can verify performance from 16x16bi to 64x16bi for complete base station multi-user MIMO TM9 UE feedback and uplink SRS-based massive MIMO scheduler/beamformer testing.

Massive MIMO testing with an external RF analog combiner is an optimized solution for cost-effective multi-user, multi-RAT, and handover mobility focused UE and base station testing. It supports the antenna array column/row combination and virtual probe/key-hole-channel channel emulation configurations.

The S8803A toolset makes comprehensive testing easy for the user by offering ready-made and verified test case packages and tools for custom test creation.

The S8803A toolset enables you to emulate up- and downlink massive MIMO channels in real-time and is extendable to:

• Measure all downlink beams simultaneously with an integrated multi-port signal analyzer
  
• Test all uplink beams with an integrated multi-port signal generator
  
• Analyze and debug up- and downlink signaling with an integrated RF sniffer
  
• Test key performance indicators, such as single- and multi-user data throughput in an instant
  
• Support creating RF Field-to-Lab test cases

5G introduces new challenges in base station testing, validation, and optimization for Network Equipment Manufacturers (NEMs), new O-RAN challengers, and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). To verify the real-world performance of multimode base stations, they must be tested with real user equipment under different mobility conditions. The S8801A MIMO Base Station Fading Performance Toolset enables performance testing in real-world radio channel conditions. The toolset also enables verifying the optimization and interoperability of different vendors' base stations, which is critical to designate the most optimal radio bearer for the end user devices.

The S8801A toolset makes comprehensive testing easy for the user by offering ready-made and verified test case packages and tools for custom test creation.

The S8801A toolset enables you to emulate up- and downlink MIMO channels in real time and is extendable to:

• Measure all downlink signals simultaneously with an integrated multi-port signal analyzer
  
• Measure all uplink signals with an integrated multi-port signal generator
  
• Analyze and debug up- and downlink signaling with an integrated RF sniffer
  
• Test key performance indicators, such as single- and multi-user data throughput in an instant
  
• Support creating RF Field-to-Lab test cases

mmWaves provide plenty of new spectrum for mobile users. 5G NR mmWave deployments rely on full mobility support and 3D beamforming at new O-RAN and traditional base stations and mobile devices. RF propagation conditions at mmWaves are significantly more challenging than at Sub-6GHz due to high blocking.

Maximize 5G device performance for real-world operation at mmWaves with validated channel emulation.

S8802A mmWave Base Station Fading Performance Toolset:

• Accelerates 5G launches by enabling realistic end-to-end, RF-to-RF, full signaling stack validation of mobile networks and mobile devices in lab
• Offers a multi-probe end-to-end dual OTA test system that enables realistic multiple beam testing
• Enables vendor independent KPI testing in lab

S8808A ISAC Channel Emulation Toolset enables researchers, chipset vendors, and network equipment manufacturers to develop and validate integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) algorithms and prototypes in a lab environment, before deploying them in the field. The S8808A supports the complete ISAC test workflow - from software modeling of sensing targets, background scenes, and communication channels to hardware-in-the-loop real-time emulation on the PROPSIM platform - enabling uninterrupted 24/7 test execution.

The S8808A accelerates ISAC development cycles, reduces deployment risks, and delivers robust performance across a wide range of 5G-Advanced and 6G use cases. For industries driving the future of wireless connectivity, lab-based ISAC validation isn’t just an advantage - it’s mission-critical.

Key Capabilities

• Early verification – Validate new technology concepts and identify potential design issues in the early R&D stages.
• Performance benchmarking – Evaluate sensing algorithm performance under realistic RF mobility, interference, and multipath conditions.
• Pre-integration validation – Test and refine sensing algorithms before integration with transceiver or TRP hardware.

The whole mobile ecosystem, including device, chipset, and mobile network operators, benefits from lab testing with real devices. The S8809A RF Field-to-Lab Toolset creates a representation of real-world conditions in a lab environment.

• Test interoperability of devices and real networks.​
• Benchmark device performance in real-world RF mobility and interference conditions.
• Verify new technology rollouts. Identify and resolve issues earlier in the R&D process​
• Test in a lab against measured field conditions to obtain high test coverage in a repeatable and controlled test environment.
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The S8809A toolset is extendable with:

• Channel Studio GCM for 3D spatial scenarios and dynamic modeling of movement. 
• PathWave VSA Analysis and PathWave Signal Generation software for additional RF MIMO measurements of devices with embedded signal analysis and signal generation capabilities
• WaveJudge Wireless Analyzer for protocol decoding, troubleshooting, and analysis