Anritsu Company Unveils Automotive Test Suite for Automated, Accurate, Efficient, and Economical Verification of 5G TCU Performance

Allen, TX – September 24, 2021 – Anritsu Company introduces its new SmartStudio Automotive Suite (SSAS) MX728000A that provides a comprehensive automated evaluation environment for 5G Telematics Control Units (TCUs). SSAS is a unique software-based test framework that significantly reduces the expertise required to conduct tests, cost of test case creation, and maintenance. It also allows for testing thousands of band combinations that may otherwise not be evaluated, reducing overall cost-of-test, as well as improving product quality.

SSAS offers quality-management functions to configure an environment for automatically evaluating TCU cellular functions. The intelligent software characterizes TCU 5G band combinations and data throughput by reading UE capability reports, automatically creates test cases, and upon completion of testing, analyzes logs of failed test cases and suggests possible causes. By creating a turnkey evaluation environment that supports cellular functional tests on 5G TCU and 5G-based telematics services, SSAS can help ensure early rollout of automotive 5G.

Advanced automation and analysis and debug tools are integrated into SSAS. It can also automate the UE via AT commands or via an Android ADB interface. Configuration of parameters and creation of test cases, as well as UE capability analysis, can all be automated through SSAS. It also allows for automatic saving and analyzing of logs, and creating a test report, for more comprehensive and efficient inspection and debug.

After analyzing the UE capability reports, SSAS creates a table of test cases, so the user can run all band combinations supported by the UE. Similar to a spreadsheet, the user can filter columns to select a particular set of test cases to run.

SSAS eliminates simulator operation training and band information tests required for each operator, to minimize associated investigation costs. TC development and maintenance is eliminated, as SSAS supports all test stages, from acceptance to regression testing, to maximize operating rate of test facilities.

Real-world Lab Scenarios Reduce Test Time, Cost

SSAS is available as a subscription license and is compatible with the Radio Communication Test Station MT8000A and Signaling Tester MD8475B. The integrated solutions support early discovery of quality issues by verifying basic performance under realistic network conditions in the laboratory. The result is significantly reduced test times and cost due to the elimination of expensive field tests.

The MT8000A all-in-one 5G device test platform supports RF and protocol testing, functional and application operation testing, beam characteristics testing, and more. It supports Non-Standalone (NSA) and Standalone (SA) mode base station simulation functions required for development of 5G chipsets and terminals, as well as Frequency Range (FR1) Sub-6 GHz and Frequency Range 2 (FR2) millimeter wave (mmWave) bands, to support all the main frequencies used by 5G services. A 5G-to-LTE NSA test environment can be configured easily and supports a self-driving vehicle development environment.

The MD8475B base station simulator reproduces communications between base stations and UEs in the laboratory, as well. It supports the full range of cellular communication standards from 2G to 4G and can act as the LTE anchor for 5G NSA testing. The MD8475B eliminates the need to create complex test scenarios, assuring efficient tests of complex UEs.

About Anritsu

Anritsu is a provider of innovative communications test and measurement solutions. Anritsu engages customers as true partners to help develop wireless, optical, microwave/RF, and digital solutions for R&D, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance applications, as well as multidimensional service assurance solutions for network monitoring and optimization. Anritsu also provides precision microwave/RF components, optical devices, and high-speed electrical devices for communication products and systems. The company develops advanced solutions for emerging and legacy wireline and wireless technologies used in commercial, private, military/aerospace, government, and other markets.

To learn more visit www.anritsu.com and follow Anritsu on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.