HSINCHU, Taiwan – Feb. 19, 2019 – MediaTek and Rohde & Schwarz are collaborating to perform over-the-air (OTA) tests of MediaTek’s 5G frontend modules and antenna arrays. The R&S TS8980R&D-M1 test system will be used to fully characterize, verify and test the antenna performance of MediaTek’s 5G network solutions including its Helio M70 5G modem. The system includes the new ATS1800C CATR (compact antenna test range) chamber along with the R&S SMW200A vector signal generator, R&S FSW50 signal and spectrum analyzer and R&S ZVA40 vector network analyzer.

“We’ve worked closely with Rohde & Schwarz over the past few years to accelerate the development of mmWave technologies and optimize our solutions for 5G networks,” said JS Pan, General Manager of Wireless System Design and Partnership at MediaTek. “Our tests on the Rohde & Schwarz OTA test system will ensure that our customers can confidently bring to market devices that meet the rigorous requirements of 5G.”

MediaTek’s Helio M70 is a 5G modem with both LTE and 5G dual connectivity, supporting multi-mode for every cellular connectivity generation from 2G to 5G. Designed to be in compliance with 3GPP Rel-15 and support initial non-standalone (NSA) and future standalone (SA) 5G network architectures, the Helio M70 can connect to worldwide 5G NR bands and 4G LTE bands while meeting High Power User Equipment (HPUE) support and other essential carrier features. Helio M70 is available now, and is expected to ship in the second half of 2019.

The Rohde & Schwarz solution is the first in the industry to meet some of the major challenges of real-world 5G deployments. For example, millimeter waves experience high path loss, and shadowing effects that can decrease signal strength. The solution – a beamforming antenna array design – demands a test environment that can measure multiple beam streams to ensure the required quality of each beam.

Rohde & Schwarz is providing a complete 5G mmWave OTA turnkey solution using the R&S ATS1800C CATR chamber that ensures repeatable, accurate and robust characterization of 5G transmitters and receivers.

“To deliver on the promise of high speed and reliable 5G connectivity, it’s essential to accurately measure and test antenna performance in an OTA environment,” said Alexander Pabst, Vice President Systems and Projects at Rohde & Schwarz. “Our high performance turnkey OTA system is ideally suited to help companies like MediaTek more quickly and reliably bring their solutions to market.”

The R&S ATS1800C CATR test system allows engineers to fully test their components in a non-conducted OTA environment. At 5G millimeter wave frequencies, the R&S ATS1800C can perform blackbox 3D far field measurements of 30 cm devices within a very compact footprint. It includes a highly accurate positioning system that handles transmitter and receiver performance measurements in a 5G environment with beam-formed signals, covering a wide frequency range of 20 to 87 GHz. Using the associated test and measurement equipment and the R&S CONTEST measurement software, radiation patterns of 5G antenna arrays can be measured extremely precisely in just a few minutes.

For device receiver tests, the R&S ATS1800C is used with the R&S SMW200A vector signal generator. The R&S SMW200A and R&S FSW are the first instruments of their kind to provide mmWave frequencies and 2 GHz modulation/demodulation bandwidth.

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About MediaTek Inc.

MediaTek Incorporated (TWSE: 2454) is a global fabless semiconductor company that enables 1.5 billion connected devices a year. We are a market leader in developing innovative systems-on-chip (SoC) for mobile device, home entertainment, connectivity and IoT products. Our dedication to innovation has positioned us as a driving market force in several key technology areas, including highly power-efficient mobile technologies and advanced multimedia solutions across a broad range of products such as smartphones, tablets, digital televisions, OTT boxes, wearables and automotive solutions. MediaTek empowers and inspires people to expand their horizons and more easily achieve their goals through smart technology. We call this idea Everyday Genius and it drives everything we do. Visit www.mediatek.com for more information.