Rohde & Schwarz announced the next breakthrough in 5G data performance: With support of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., Rohde & Schwarz has validated 10 Gbps end-to-end (E2E) IP data performance using its R&S CMX500 5G radio communication tester platform. The setup was powered by Snapdragon® X65 5G Modem-RF System, the world’s first 3GPP Release 16 modem-RF system with Qualcomm® QTM545 mmWave antenna module.

The R&S CMX500 validated 10 Gbps E2E IP data performance in combination with the R&S CMQ500 shielding cube with minimal footprint. Rohde & Schwarz achieved the milestone results based on a 3GPP Release 16 5G New Radio Dual Connectivity (NR-DC) network simulation, provided by its R&S CMX500 5G radio communication tester. In the simulation, two cell groups were simultaneously connected, one using spectrum in frequency range 1 (FR1) and the other in frequency range 2 (FR2). The FR1 carrier spans over full 100 MHz bandwidth using an antenna configuration of MIMO 4x4 and 256QAM modulation. Eight additional component carriers are combined in FR2, using MIMO 2x2 and 256QAM modulation.

The demonstration covered several test cases that verified high data throughput in downlink over IP layer, using different configuration modes of the 5G protocol stack’s lower layers such as Radio Link Control (RLC) in Unacknowledged Mode and Acknowledged Mode. These configuration modes made it possible to push real IP data over the wireless communication link, making this the first time ever that real IP E2E data was used in a performance of this kind. Previously, throughput had simply been verified on the modem’s lower layer 5G protocol stack. This opens up a new era of 5G data performance, which eventually will enable eMBB use cases like 4K and 8K video streaming or augmented reality applications.

Christoph Pointner, senior vice president Mobile Radio Testers at Rohde & Schwarz, said, “Qualcomm Technologies’ leadership position in advanced modem architecture helped us to validate the capabilities of our hardware. By testing the R&S CMX500 against real modem implementation, we accomplished a new milestone in IP data throughput. 10 Gbps pave the way for much discussed 5G features, which end users are already waiting for.”