Agilent Technologies Inc. announced an agreement to collaborate with China Mobile Communications Co. Ltd. Research Institute (CMRI) on the next–generation 5G wireless communication systems. China Mobile is the world’s largest mobile network operator and a market leader in 3G, 4G and next-generation wireless network development.
The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding today in Beijing. Agilent will actively support the research and development programs on 5G, led by CMRI, and provide test and measurement solutions for next-generation 5G wireless communication systems.
As the deployment and commercial operation of 4G systems are speeding up, technologists worldwide have begun searching for next-generation wireless solutions to meet the anticipated demands in the 2020 era given the explosive growth of mobile Internet, and this will lead us to the fifth generation 5G.
The 5G research areas of CMRI will focus on the major technical aspects of 5G, including large-scale antenna systems (LSAS), full-duplex radio, energy efficiency and spectral efficiency co-design, and new signaling/control mechanisms to achieve the main theme of green and soft*.
The 5G research presents new challenges for test and measurement manufacturers – specifically in the design of the instrument hardware platform and the development of new measurement methodologies.
"Our strong collaboration with CMRI on the 5G research will allow us to lead the technology exploration of next-generation wireless communication systems," said Andy Botka, Agilent vice president and general manager of the Microwave and Communications Division. “We will provide the CMRI research teams with the measurement expertise required to design, develop and validate their new 5G systems and set up the 5G prototype test-bed."
"With the strong support from Agilent in providing us with the latest measurement instruments and superb professional knowledge, CMRI will be able to establish the much needed hardware prototype platform for next-generation greener and softer wireless communication systems," said Dr. Chih-Lin I, chief scientist of CMRI. “This test platform is essential for the effective evaluation of candidate core technologies and architectures in the pursuit of 5G and the timely demonstration of the key capabilities of future wireless networks."
This strategic collaboration uses Agilent's expertise in wireless test solutions and software defined radios. Agilent has a broad range of test and measurement solutions that support 5G research. Agilent will work with CMRI team to develop test solutions for the new testing needs, including simulation and measurement solutions for large-scale antenna systems, channel measurement and modeling, and signal validation for the new PHY layer design.
Agilent's collaborative work with CMRI on 5G research reinforces the strong commitment by Agilent in China to support industry leaders in the development of next-generation wireless technologies. Agilent will have a dedicated team in its R&D center in Beijing to work directly with the CMRI teams.
For more information about Agilent’s 5G test solutions visit www.agilent.com/find/5G.