Keysight First to Gain GCF Approval for 5G Protocol Conformance Test Cases Based On 3GPP Release 16 Specifications

Rhea-AI Summary

Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS) announces it is the first company approved by the Global Certification Forum for 5G new radio (NR) protocol conformance test cases based on 3GPP Release 16 specifications. This milestone, confirmed at an October meeting, allows device vendors to quickly verify designs that enhance 5G network coverage, capacity, and security. Keysight's S8704A Protocol Conformance Toolset was key in achieving this approval. The initial test cases enable validation of self-organizing network features and are expected to aid in optimizing network performance for various applications.

Positive

• First approval from GCF for 5G NR protocol conformance test cases based on 3GPP Rel-16.
• Enhancements to 5G network capabilities, including coverage, security, and latency.
• Supports quick market introductions for smart factory and autonomous vehicle applications.

Negative

• None.

Accelerates validation of self-organizing networks and the minimization of drive testing features

SANTA ROSA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS), a leading technology company that delivers advanced design and validation solutions to help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world, announced it is first to gain approval from the Global Certification Forum (GCF) for 5G new radio (NR) protocol conformance test cases based on 3GPP Release 16 (Rel-16) specifications.

The industry milestone, confirmed at the conformance agreement group (CAG) meeting held in October, enables device vendors to accelerate verification of designs that support 3GPP Rel-16 features. Implementation of 3GPP Rel-16 improves 5G network coverage, capacity, security and latency, as well as 5G device power consumption, mobility and reliability. Keysight continues to support a leading number of 5G RF, RRM and protocol conformance test cases mandated by GCF.

“The GCF approval of the first 5G NR protocol test cases based on 3GPP Rel-16 highlights Keysight’s continuous commitment to driving cutting-edge technology that is critical to realizing advanced connectivity use cases for consumers and enterprises,” said Muthu Kumaran, general manager of Keysight's device validation solutions business. “Early availability of GCF test cases enables vendors to accelerate 3GPP-compliant market introductions of designs for smart factory, autonomous vehicle and smart city applications.”

The GCF approval was achieved using Keysight’s S8704A Protocol Conformance Toolset. In early 2021, Keysight joined forces with leading modem makers to establish the industry-first 5G data calls based on 3GPP Release 16 Specifications, using 5G Protocol R&D Toolset, also part of Keysight’s suite of 5G network emulation solutions.

The initial GCF-approved test cases enable users to validate self-organizing network (SON) features. Increasing complexity of networks, coupled with the need to reduce the cost of operating a mobile network across the lifecycle, is leading service providers to implement SON functionalities including self-configuring, self-optimizing and self-healing. These test cases also address the minimization of drive testing (MDT) features that enable active devices in the network to retrieve customer experience measurements, which mobile operators use to optimize network performance.

At the CAG meeting, it was also confirmed that Keysight is the first test equipment vendor to gain GCF validation of 5G NR Release 15 protocol conformance test cases for standalone (SA) mode in frequency range 2 (FR2). Deployment of 5G NR in SA mode and in FR2 spectrum is expected to support advanced 5G applications such as fixed wireless access (FWA), which uses customer premises equipment (CPE) to deliver wired-broadband data speeds to homes and businesses. Keysight remains the only vendor to offer GCF-approved test cases that enable vendors to validate the radio frequency (RF) performance of 5G FR2 devices in standalone mode, according to 3GPP Rel-15 specifications.

About Keysight Technologies

Keysight delivers advanced design and validation solutions that help accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Keysight’s dedication to speed and precision extends to software-driven insights and analytics that bring tomorrow’s technology products to market faster across the development lifecycle, in design simulation, prototype validation, automated software testing, manufacturing analysis, and network performance optimization and visibility in enterprise, service provider and cloud environments. Our customers span the worldwide communications and industrial ecosystems, aerospace and defense, automotive, energy, semiconductor and general electronics markets. Keysight generated revenues of $4.2B in fiscal year 2020. For more information about Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS), visit us at www.keysight.com.

Additional information about Keysight Technologies is available in the newsroom at https://www.keysight.com/go/news and on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211028005775/en/

KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES CONTACTS:

Geri Lynne LaCombe, Americas/Europe

+1 303 662 4748

geri_lacombe@keysight.com

Fusako Dohi, Asia

+81 42 660-2162

fusako_dohi@keysight.com

Source: Keysight Technologies, Inc.

FAQ

What recent milestone did Keysight Technologies achieve regarding 5G NR protocol?

Keysight Technologies was the first to gain approval from the Global Certification Forum for 5G NR protocol conformance test cases based on 3GPP Release 16 specifications.

How does Keysight's GCF approval impact the market introduction for 5G devices?

The GCF approval enables vendors to accelerate 3GPP-compliant market introductions for devices supporting advanced applications such as smart factories and autonomous vehicles.

What key features does the 3GPP Release 16 improve for 5G networks?

3GPP Release 16 improves 5G network coverage, capacity, security, latency, and power consumption of devices.

What tool enabled Keysight to achieve GCF approval for 5G NR testing?

Keysight achieved GCF approval using its S8704A Protocol Conformance Toolset.