5G Mobile Network I&M Implementation
Implementing three key elements of 5G (low latency, high speed and large capacity, and multiple simultaneous connections) is expected to facilitate rollout of new applications in fields such as self-driving vehicles, remote control of heavy machinery, ultra-high-definition video streaming, telepresence at sports events, etc. However, actually implementing applications taking advantage of low latency, high speeds, large capacity, and multiple simultaneous connections not only requires a communications technology paradigm shift from 4G to 5G but also requires a simultaneous technical revolution for 5G mobile networks from 4G (LTE). Currently, 5G mobile network and proof-of-concept testing are in progress, but rollout of commercial 5G mobile network services requires provision of measurement solutions at 5G mobile network I&M for assuring stable operation and preventive maintenance of mobile fronthaul, Core, Metro, etc., network components.
5G Mobile Network Innovation
5G mobile networks are innovating as follows against a background of 5G technology featuring low latency, high speeds, large capacity, and multiple simultaneous connections.
- eCPRI/RoE Communications Technology
5G base stations handling large data volumes at high speeds are starting to use the new eCPRI/RoE communications technology instead of the legacy CPRI technology for processing communications in the antenna and signaling sections.
- Optical Network Expansion
Optical network sections are being used increasingly at various locations to increase capacity using the high speed, low latency and multiple simultaneous connections features of 5G.
- High-Speed 5G Terminals: Increase data capacity of mobile fronthaul 5G base stations.
- More 5G Base Station (mmWave) Installations: Since 5G mmWave band waveforms are more easily obstructed than LTE, each base station only covers a narrow area, which requires installation of more small 5G base stations to achieve the same coverage as LTE.
- Increased Data Traffic: Speed-up and increase the number of mobile fronthaul, Core and Metro networks.
- Beamforming Technology using mmWave (active antenna systems）
Communications between 5G terminals and base stations use so-called mmWave band frequencies of 28 GHz and 39 GHz. The key weaknesses of the mmWave band are large attenuation, directivity, and easy obstruction. In particular, directivity (slight beam slippage preventing signal reception) is a problem, and small 5G base stations require beamforming technology to transmit radio signals to 5G terminals. Small 5G base stations use highly directional active antennas.
Making the above switch in radio communications technology from 4G to 5G results in huge innovations in mobile networks supporting 5G. In addition, as commercial 5G comes into practical use, as well as increases in numbers of small 5G base station installations and conversions to optical fiber, we can expect the following increased demand based on the above-described innovation.
- Need for base station installation and maintenance test instruments supporting new eCPRI/RoE communications technology
- Need for test instruments supporting precision optical fiber measurements
- Need for test instruments supporting accurate measurement of beamforming signals in active antenna systems
- More optical fiber I&M companies requiring effective test instruments for evaluating 100G/25G Ethernet and optical circuits
Consequently, rollout of commercial 5G services will cause large changes in base-station and optical-network I&M. In other words, efficient reliable network measurement is needed more than ever.
Actual 5G Mobile Network I&M Measurements
The following measurements are key to successful 5G mobile network I&M.
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Transport
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Transport Measurements
BER and high-accuracy latency measurements, etc., at eCPRI/RoE frames between mobile fronthaul and Base Band Unit/front office
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Optical Fiber
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Optical Fiber Measurements
Troubleshooting optical circuits, such as mobile fronthaul WDM/PON equipment and Core/Metro networks
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RF
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RF Measurements
OTA measurement of channel power, occupied bandwidth, and spectrum emission mask (SEM). Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) measurements for base station validation in real-world environments. 5G demodulation measurements including modulation quality and RSRP/RSRQ, etc.
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Introduction of transport, optical fiber, and RF measurements secures network reliability and helps preventive maintenance.
TransportTransport Measurements
Transport Measurements Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M
- 5G Mobile Network eCPRI/RoE Measurements
- 5G Mobile Network Latency Measurements
- 5G Mobile Network Time Synchronization Measurements
Measurement Solution: High-Speed and Low-Latency 5G Mobile Network I&M
Transport Tester Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M
Transport Measurements Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M
5G Mobile Network eCPRI/RoE Measurements
Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) compliant interface equipment has been used for 3G and LTE systems to convert the mobile fronthaul wireless signal to the optical signal. CPRI is commonly said to need to be about 16 times faster than the radio transmission speed to perform digital conversion of radio signals. Since 5G transmission speeds are about 100 times faster than LTE, a new eCPRI/RoE technology based on market mainstream Ethernet is being adopted. With 5G featuring high speeds and large capacity, maintaining mobile fronthaul communications quality requires communications and latency tests measuring either CPRI or RoE frame bit errors and latency with high accuracy.
5G Mobile Network Latency Measurements
Since maintaining minimum assured communication speeds is generally impossible using Ethernet, latency times of the entire network including the 5G mobile fronthaul must be managed strictly. To suppress latency times between the mobile fronthaul 5G antenna and Core/Metro network, it is important to minimize the latency of the network equipment as much as possible. Implementing the 5G low-latency feature requires using two testers to accurately measure one-way delay between two distant separate points.
5G Mobile Network Time Synchronization Measurements
Use of the 5G mmWave band requires many small base stations because the high radio-wave frequency only propagates over short distances. As a result, the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) is used to synchronize time between base stations. Time synchronization using PTP demands strict evaluation of the entire network to maintain time differences within the permissible range.
With functions supporting high-accuracy eCPRI/RoE and latency time measurements as well as precision PTP time synchronization evaluation, the Network Master Pro MT1000A is ideal for implementing high-speed and low-latency 5G mobile networks.
For details of 5G High-Speed, Low-Latency mobile networks.
Transport Tester Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M
Optical FiberOptical Fiber Measurements
Optical Fiber Measurements Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M
- 5G Mobile Network PON/WDM Measurements
- 5G Mobile Network Overall (Core, Metro, 5G Mobile Fronthaul, Mobile Backhaul) Optical Line Measurements
Optical Fiber Testers Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M
Optical Fiber Measurements Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M
5G Mobile Network PON (Passive Optical Network) Measurements
5G mobile fronthaul networks require a lot of testing between the many base stations (RRH) and 5G base band unit (BBU). Using the PON method to connect the many RRH with one BBU using an optical fiber splitter is a key technique for efficient deployment of many 5G base stations. Sharing an optical fiber by using a PON helps cut costs in comparison to other methods. Any optical pulse tester (OTDR) used to measure optical fiber transmission losses as well as distances to and locations of fiber faults must have both high precision for analyzing a PON optical splitter with up to 128 branches as well as an easy-to-use Pass/Fail function for evaluating the optical splitter status.
5G Mobile Network Overall (Core, Metro, 5G Mobile Fronthaul, Mobile Backhaul) Optical Line Measurements
Optical fiber I&M (Core, Metro, 5G mobile fronthaul, mobile backhaul) requires detection and measurement of fiber breaks at trunk-cable I&M, including the access drop cable. An optical pulse tester (OTDR) must have sufficient performance to detect events, such as loss and reflections, with high accuracy in fibers ranging from a few meters to fibers exceeding 200 km in length. Additionally, the OTDR must have functions for simple display of measurement results using an original detection algorithm.
The ACCESS Master MT9085 series supports deployment of large-capacity 5G mobile networks with functions for measuring PON optical splitters now under consideration for mobile fronthaul applications; it can detect fiber events, such as optical fiber loss and reflections, in 5G mobile networks with high accuracy and also has functions for displaying easy-to-understand measurement results using an original Anritsu algorithm.
In addition, as well as keeping the popular rotary knob and hard keys from previous models, the MT9085 series adds a new touchscreen for even better operability.
For details: Touchscreen OTDR MT9085 Series
Optical Fiber Testers Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M
RFRF Measurements
RF Measurements Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M
- 5G Mobile Network OTA Measurements
RF Testers Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M
RF Measurements Required by 5G Mobile Network I&M
5G Mobile Network OTA Measurements
As RF technologies continue to become more ingrained in our daily lives, the RF spectrum is becoming more crowded at all frequencies. The ability to view the RF spectrum and measure transmissions is critical in order to avoid interference and achieve guaranteed performance of the unique technologies used in 5G networks – mmWave frequencies, active antenna systems, beamforming, and dynamic physical layers. While existing LTE networks have test ports to validate RF characterization of the radio, with active antennas systems (AAS) test ports are most likely unavailable requiring testing to be conducted over the air (OTA).
With continuous frequency coverage from 9 kHz to 9/14/20/26.5/32/44/54 GHz, the Field Master Pro MS2090A is specifically designed to meet the challenges of 5G test while maintaining support for a full range of other wireless technologies in use today. Its unparalleled performance makes measurements like spectrum clearing, radio alignment, harmonic, distortion, and coverage mapping even more accurate than previously possible. For modulation measurements on digital systems, 100 MHz modulation bandwidth coupled with best-in-class phase noise performance maximizes measurement accuracy and 0.5 dB typical amplitude accuracy provides confidence when testing transmitter power and spurious. OTA measurements are supported by standing in front of the 5GNR and AAS, ideally in the far field, and using a wave guide horn or broadband antenna to make measurements on the beams formed. The Field Master Pro MS2090A is able to make a full range of RF measurements by decoding the synchronization signal blocks (SSB) and displaying values of RSRP, channel power, EVM, etc. of each beam.
ProductsBit Error Rate Testers (BERT)/OscilloscopeMobile/Wireless Communications Measuring InstrumentsOptical Measuring Instruments
