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Validate 5G devices with protocol, functional, and performance testing
The Protocol Carrier Acceptance Toolset provides comprehensive access to protocol carrier acceptance test plans mandated by the world’s 5G major network operators (MNOs). The toolset flexibly addresses a wide range of test scenarios in sub-6 GHz (FR1) and mmWave (FR2) frequencies, for both non-standalone (NSA) and standalone (SA) modes. These scenarios include signaling, performance, and application testing, encompassing Wi-Fi®, location-based services (LBS), barometric pressure, thermal, RedCap, and dual SIM dual standby. Request a quote for the Protocol Carrier Acceptance Toolset today. Want to learn more about this solution? Explore the resources below.
Alignment with MNO requirements
Keysight collaborates with MNOs and suppliers to define, implement, and validate the toolset's test cases based on their requirements.
Comprehensive test scenarios
Testing encompasses signaling testing (e.g., inter-RAT testing), performance testing (e.g., data throughput), and application testing (e.g., IMS).
Test automation
All test cases are fully automated, allowing unattended test campaign execution to maximize system utilization.
Enhanced management and reporting
Streamlines test execution and analysis with comprehensive campaign management capabilities and sophisticated logging features.
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Technology
5G NR, LTE, Cat-M, RedCap
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Test types
Signaling, Data Throughput, Power Consumption, Positioning, Audio Quality, Emergency, Thermal, Iconography
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Use cases
Carrier Acceptance (Protocol and Functional and Performance)
Typical configuration
Protocol Carrier Acceptance Toolset
Services and support
Innovate at speed with curated support plans and prioritized response and turn-around times.
Get predictable, lease-based subscriptions and full lifecycle management solutions—so you reach your business goals faster.
Experience elevated service as a KeysightCare subscriber to get committed technical response and more.
Ensure your test system performs to specification and meets local and global standards.
Make measurements quickly with in-house, instructor-led training, and eLearning.
Download Keysight software or update your software to the newest version.
Frequently asked questions
In 5G protocol testing, various telecommunication stakeholders verify that the subsystems of a 5G network are complying with their respective interface and protocol specifications published by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).
These interfaces and protocols enable critical 5G use cases like:
- high-throughput mobile broadband
- ultra-reliable low latency communication
- beamforming and massive multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO)
- accurate positioning
- conditional handovers and other mobility scenarios
During 5G protocol testing, the implementation-level interface and protocol details that underlie all these use cases are verified. Additionally, 5G protocol testing includes different types of verifications, like:
- protocol and radio frequency (RF) conformance testing
- radio resource management (RRM) conformance testing
- regulatory compliance testing
- carrier acceptance testing
- performance testing of each interface
Protocol testing is crucial to achieving crucial goals like:
- Interoperability: Every telecom stakeholder must ensure that their products or services can operate seamlessly with those of others. This is particularly critical for hardware manufacturers of mobile devices, 5G chipsets, network equipment, and IoT sensors. Non-compliance with 3GPP specifications can prove costly due to market rejection as well as possible regulatory and contractual penalties.
- Compatibility: Network operators prefer incremental upgrades to their existing infrastructure to optimize expenditure and minimize customer disruption. Protocol testing enables them to ensure that any 5G additions to their 4G networks are operating as expected and also ensures that the 4G equipment is operating as intended after these additions.
- Network reliability: 5G protocol testing enables testers to verify 5G promises like high broadband speeds, high density of devices, and remote connectivity (via non-terrestrial networks). Engineers can configure every interface and protocol layer with custom parameters to test them. This way, edge cases in functionality and performance can be rigorously tested throughout the design, deployment, and operational phases.
- Performance: 5G protocol testing enables hardware manufacturers and service providers to satisfy the performance criteria set by conformance specifications as well as carrier acceptance requirements. Additionally, they can use 5G protocol testing tools to exceed the performance criteria to gain market advantages.
- Security: 5G protocol testing is critical for ensuring network and data security in 5G networks, especially since they're being introduced in potentially hazardous places like automobiles, satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, and transport systems.
- Regulatory compliance: 5G protocol testing helps operators and manufacturers comply with regulations related to spectrum use, radiation levels, and sustainability (like minimizing power
Conformance and performance verification are important stages of 5G protocol testing in the following ways:
- Verify radio frequency and resource management: RF and RRM conformance tests ensure that devices and network equipment operate reliably with each other under any load and environmental condition.
- Ensure lower latency: Ultra-reliable low-latency communication is a key goal of 5G and is tested as part of RedCap (5G-Lite) protocol testing.
- Satisfy QoS requirements: QoS flows and related protocols, such as SDAP, are verified as part of 5G protocol testing.
- Test the core network: Carrier-grade performance, sustained data rates, and seamless mobility are checked as part of testing the interfaces and protocols used by the core network functions.
- Verify non-terrestrial components: For reliable connectivity in remote places and during disasters, 5G protocol testing verifies the non-terrestrial components and their interfaces.