China Mobile Research Institute, the R&D division of China Mobile, and Rohde & Schwarz have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaborating on the research of TD-LTE testing technology and test system development. The MoU highlights the cooperation on joint research in TD-LTE testing technology and test instrument development to speed up the global roll-out of TD-LTE technology.

TD-LTE, the TDD version of LTE standard which has converged development with FDD LTE enables high-speed mobile Internet access. According to the Global Mobile Suppliers Association, TD-LTE will obtain a significant share in the worldwide LTE market. The technology has gained increased support in Asia Pacific as well as in Europe and America with the backing of more than 70 companies from across the mobile ecosystem.

China Mobile has made great strides in the promotion of TD-LTE test systems development. In the field of terminal testing, the operator is leading the project group TD-LTE Work Items (WI) within the Global Certification Forum (GCF) for conformance testing, covering protocol, RF and RRM. In order to set up end-to-end testing solutions and simulate end user experience, the company is cooperating with other operators and test system vendors to develop network-simulator independent operating test (IOT) systems.

Rohde & Schwarz has been providing test solutions to mobile network providers, test houses, chipset and user equipment manufacturers for many years. The company offers RF conformance tests, RRM testing, PQA, signaling conformance tests, protocol and call box solutions in TD-LTE.

The joint research effort by China Mobile Research Institute and Rohde & Schwarz will ensure the establishment of an end-to-end TD-LTE testing environment, resulting in robust networks and high quality terminals.