Keysight Technologies Receives New Test Case Validation for Narrowband Non-Terrestrial Network Standard

• Test case validation includes transmitter and receiver demodulation and radio resource management for Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) over non-terrestrial networks (NTN)

• Support certification testing at GCF-approved testing organizations

• Record-breaking new test cases at the 78th Conformance Protocol Group meeting, including RedCap Radio Resource Management for single receiver and cross-radio access technology with EUTRA

Keysight Technologies, Inc. announced that it has validated new conformance test cases for NB-IoT NTN technology in 3GPP Rel-17. These test cases were approved at the 78th meeting of the Global Certification Forum (GCF) Conformance Protocol Group with the support of Keysight's RF/RRM DVT and conformance toolset. The convergence of terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks is a key component of the telecommunications industry's goal to achieve global coverage, support new use cases and ubiquitous mobile connectivity. The use of NB-IoT on NTN expands the use cases that require non-continuous data connectivity and low power consumption, while ensuring the throughput requirements for supporting multiple applications such as supply chain tracking and two-way messaging.

Keysight Technologies Receives New Test Case Validation for Narrowband Non-Terrestrial Network Standard

The new NB-IoT NTN conformance test case validation covers transmitter and receiver demodulation and radio resource management (RRM). The RF/RRM DVT and conformance toolset is a GCF and PTCRB recognized terminal device certification test platform and supports various frequency bands. This ensures that the terminal mobile device works as expected on the actual mobile network. These test case validations also enable Keysight to support certification testing at GCF recognized test organizations (RTOs). These test cases are managed through Keysight's new automated acceptance test framework ATLAS Test Management Center.

Keysight Technologies is a leader in NTN conformance solutions, offering the S8711A test application toolset and UXM 5G with built-in channel emulators that can simulate satellite orbits to test and certify devices under real conditions. The company has validated test cases for Skylo's Rel-17 NB NTN certification program and demonstrated satellite handover in a low-Earth orbit constellation using UXM 5G and PROPSIM at the Mobile World Congress (MWC).

Additionally, Keysight expanded its portfolio of validated test cases to other key 3GPP Rel-16 and Rel-17 areas, achieving a record number of new test case certifications in a single session. Notable test case validations included RRM RedCap for single receiver and cross-radio access technologies with EUTRA.

"Industry standards and reference certification programs play a critical role in driving technology adoption," said Muthu Kumaran, general manager of Keysight's Device Validation Solutions group . "Keysight's NTN solution enables NB-IoT NTN certification testing in a GCF-approved test organization, enabling the industry to confidently advance hybrid terrestrial and non-terrestrial connectivity scenarios by adhering to globally recognized standards. We look forward to continuing to support the wireless industry's growth in the NTN space with comprehensive test solutions."