ME7873NR New Radio RF Conformance Test System for 5G NR FR1 and FR2

5G NR RF/RRM conformance test system for standalone and non-standalone mode, covering FR1 and FR2 bands, GCF and PTCRB certified.

System: 5G NR
Standard: 3GPP TS 38.521, 3GPP TS 38.533
Supported test standards: 3GPP TS 36.521-3, 3GPP TS 36.521-4, 3GPP TS 38.521-1, 3GPP TS 38.521-3, 3GPP TS 38.521-4, 3GPP TS 38.521-5, 3GPP TS 38.533

Overview

The Anritsu ME7873NR is a New Radio RF conformance test system that runs 5G NR standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) RF/RRM tests based on current 3GPP standards. It works with the Radio Communication Test Station MT8000A, which simulates a 5G NR base station, and the Signalling Tester MD8430A, which simulates an LTE base station. The system also uses other measuring equipment and dedicated test software.

The platform is GCF and PTCRB certified. It covers both FR1 (Sub-6GHz) and FR2 (mmWave) frequency bands, so it can test 5G NR mobile terminals used worldwide. The software is updated to follow 3GPP standards, which change every three months. In addition to 3GPP RF/RRM conformance tests, the system supports North American carrier acceptance tests. Optional test items cover the European Radio Equipment Directive (RED).

Configurations

The hardware can be configured to match the required test items. FR1 is supported by the Rack Model and by the Lite Model. The Lite Model is an all-in-one tester that uses a single MT8000A, and its measurement times are about 20% shorter than the Rack Models. FR2 testing uses a rack system combined with a CATR anechoic chamber. Existing ME7873LA LTE-Advanced systems can be upgraded to the ME7873NR by adding the minimum required hardware, and they keep support for the ME7873LA test items.

Measurement stability and software

Three calibration methods improve measurement stability: basic calibration at acceptance inspection, auto-calibration at the start of work, and individual measurement correction immediately before each measurement, which removes temperature-related drift. The system software includes test sequence creation and editing, real-time trace log display, and automatic saving of logs. Results can be saved as HTML, XML or CSV. The software also has built-in control of an external DC power supply and temperature chamber, which the user provides.

Key Features

GCF/PTCRB-approved 5G NR test cases
Meets 3GPP standards
Upgrade from ME7873LA for LTE systems (sub-6 GHz)
Covers both FR1 (Sub-6GHz) and FR2 (mmWave) frequency bands used worldwide
Supports automatic spurious measurements both FR1 and FR2 bands
Easy sequence creation and editing
Emphasizes test system measurement stability
Executes 5G NR Standalone and Non-Standalone mode RF/RRM tests
Supports North-American carrier acceptance tests
Lite Model supports FR1 RF TRx performance tests using one MT8000A
Lite Model measurement times about 20% shorter than Rack Models
Individual measurement correction immediately before measurement eliminates temperature-related drift
Built-in control of external DC power supply and temperature chamber
European Radio Equipment Directive (RED) compliant test items (option)
Measurement results saved as HTML, XML or CSV with links to signalling logs
Real-time trace log display on the MT8000A

Specifications

Supported Standards

System	5G NR
Standard	3GPP TS 38.521, 3GPP TS 38.533
Supported test standards	3GPP TS 36.521-3, 3GPP TS 36.521-4, 3GPP TS 38.521-1, 3GPP TS 38.521-3, 3GPP TS 38.521-4, 3GPP TS 38.521-5, 3GPP TS 38.533 System design is based on these standards

Lite Model vs Rack Model

Frequency range Lite Model, Rack Model	450 MHz to 7.125 GHz Number of system racks and hardware configuration depends on support range; the FR1 Configuration specification table on page 10 lists 450 MHz to 6 GHz
Test items Lite Model	TS 36.521–3, TS 38.521–1 (In-band), TS 38.521–3 (In-band), TS 38.521–4 (Partially), TS 38.533 (Partially)
Test items Rack Model	TS 36.521–3, TS 36.521–4, TS 38.521–1, TS 38.521–3, TS 38.521–4, TS 38.521–5, TS 38.533
NR CA Lite Model	Single Carrier (EN-DC), 2CA (SA)
NR CA Rack Model	Up to 4CA and more Depends on support range
Measurement time Lite Model	About 20% faster than the predecessor Rack Models

FR1 Configuration

Input and Output connector FR1	N-type, 50Ω
Max. Input Level FR1	+35 dBm
Reference Oscillator FR1	MS2692A as standard, External oscillator signal input available (Frequency: 10 MHz, Connector: BNC)
Frequency Range FR1	450 MHz to 6 GHz
Temperature Range FR1	15°C to 35°C (operating), 0°C to 50°C (storage) Ambient temperature; basic calibration at acceptance inspection must meet this requirement; use in an air-conditioned room recommended
Power Supply (Rating) FR1	Select either 100 VAC to 120 VAC or 200 VAC to 240 VAC, 50 Hz/60 Hz
Power consumption FR1	≤7950 VA Full system configuration; sufficient power (600 VA) for basic calibration at acceptance inspection must also be supplied
Dimensions (2 racks configuration) FR1	1140 (W) × 1980 (H) × 797 (D) mm Securing with hooks at rack top recommended to prevent toppling
Dimensions (3 racks configuration) FR1	1710 (W) × 1980 (H) × 797 (D) mm Securing with hooks at rack top recommended to prevent toppling
Mass FR1	≤830 kg Full system configuration; floor must also bear 100 kg for basic calibration equipment

FR2 Configuration

Reference Oscillator FR2	MS2840A/MS2850A as standard, External oscillator signal input available (Frequency: 10 MHz, Connector: BNC)
Frequency Range FR2	450 MHz to 6 GHz (LTE Anchor), 24.25 GHz to 29.5 GHz, 37 GHz to 43.5 GHz
Temperature Range FR2	15°C to 30°C (operating), 0°C to 50°C (storage) Ambient temperature; basic calibration at acceptance inspection must meet this requirement
Power Supply (Rating) FR2	Select either 100 VAC to 120 VAC or 200 VAC to 240 VAC, 50 Hz/60 Hz
Power consumption FR2	≤11000 VA Full system configuration; sufficient power (600 VA) for basic calibration at acceptance inspection must also be supplied
Dimensions, OTA Chamber part MA8172A	2200 (W) × 1980 (H) × 1200 (D) mm
Dimensions, OTA Chamber part MA8172B	2700 (W) × 1980 (H) × 1500 (D) mm
Mass FR2	≤1600 kg Full system configuration, total of system rack part and OTA Chamber part

Compliance

CE EMC	2014/30/EU, EN61326-1, EN61000-3-2
CE LVD	2014/35/EU, EN61010-1
CE RoHS	2011/65/EU, (EU) 2015/863, EN IEC 63000: 2018
UKCA EMC	S.I. 2016 No.1091, EN 61326-1, EN61000-3-2
UKCA LVD	S.I. 2016 No.1101, EN 61010-1
UKCA RoHS	S.I. 2012 No.3032, EN IEC 63000:2018

Supported Bands

NR bands (FR1)	n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n13, n14, n18, n20, n25, n26, n28, n29, n30, n34, n38, n39, n40, n41, n48, n51, n53, n66, n70, n71, n75, n76, n77, n78, n79, n80, n81, n83, n84, n85, n89, n95, n98, n252, n254, n255, n256 Currently supported bands; further bands added according to market demand
NR band n257 FR2	26500 to 29500 MHz (UL/DL)
NR band n258 FR2	24250 to 27500 MHz (UL/DL)
NR band n260 FR2	37000 to 40000 MHz (UL/DL)
NR band n261 FR2	27500 to 28350 MHz (UL/DL)
LTE bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 48, 53, 66, 71, 255, 256

Applications

5G NR RF conformance testing
5G NR RRM conformance testing
GCF/PTCRB certification testing
North American carrier acceptance testing
European RED regulatory testing
LTE/LTE-Advanced conformance testing
NB-IoT and NR NTN satellite access testing
RedCap device testing

Included

ME7873NR Operation Manual (CD-ROM): 1 set
ME7873NR Installation Media (DVD-ROM 2 Copies): 1 set

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
ME7873NR-001	FR1 Common kit — FR1 Rack Model
ME7873NR-002	Antenna Extension
ME7873NR-003	Common Rack for FR1 System
ME7873NR-006	Additional Rack (41U) for FR1 System
ME7873NR-009	FR2 Common kit — FR2 Rack Model
ME7873NR-011	SS1 Accessory
ME7873NR-012	SS2 Accessory
ME7873NR-013	SS3 Accessory
ME7873NR-017	SS7 Accessory
ME7873NR-021	VSG1 Accessory
ME7873NR-022	VSG2 Accessory
ME7873NR-023	CWSG1 Accessory
ME7873NR-031	SS11 Accessory
ME7873NR-035	SS11 Multi RF Accessory
ME7873NR-036	SS12 eRF Accessory
ME7873NR-041	SS21 Accessory
ME7873NR-042	SS22 Accessory
ME7873NR-043	SS25 Accessory
ME7873NR-044	SS26 Accessory
ME7873NR-045	SMU Accessory
ME7873NR-046	LTE Anchor Unit Accessory
ME7873NR-048	SS11 Accessory for FR1 Anchor
ME7873NR-052	Spurious Filter2
ME7873NR-065	Fading Simulator Accessory with PC
ME7873NR-071	SPA Accessory
ME7873NR-072	MWSG Accessory
ME7873NR-074	Converter cable Kit
ME7873NR-075	Converter Cable Kit for 2AoA
ME7873NR-080	Lite Common kit — FR1 Lite Model
ME7873NR-081	U46G Accessory
ME7873NR-082	U46A Accessory
ME7873NR-083	U48A Accessory
ME7873NR-084	U63G Accessory
ME7873NR-085	SS1 Accessory 2
ME7873NR-086	SS7 Accessory 2
ME7873NR-087	SS11 Accessory 2
ME7873NR-AK011	Accessory Kit for Power Supply
ME7873NR-AK012	Accessory Kit for Power Supply
ME7873NR-AK021	FR1 Accessory Kit for NRTL
ME7873NR-AK022	FR2 Accessory Kit for NRTL
ME7873NR-UG301	Combining kit with ME7873LA
MN74000B-UG101	Hardware Upgrade from MN74000A
MN74000B-UG201	Hardware Upgrade from MN74000A
MT8000A-091	High RF Performance for MT8000A-x31
MT8000A-092	High RF Performance for MT8000A-x32
MT8000A-093	High RF Performance for MT8000A-x33
MT8000A-191	High RF Performance for MT8000A-x31 Retrofit
MT8000A-192	High RF Performance for MT8000A-x32 Retrofit
MT8000A-193	High RF Performance for MT8000A-x33 Retrofit
MT8000A-291	High RF Performance for MT8000A-x31 Retrofit
MT8000A-292	High RF Performance for MT8000A-x32 Retrofit
MT8000A-293	High RF Performance for MT8000A-x33 Retrofit
MX800090A-002	Fading Option
MX800092A	NR RFCT Model
MX800092A-001	NR Measurement Software 1
MX787300NR	Platform Functionality — NR band capability options MX787300NR-001 to -261 (Band n1 to Band n261 Capability)
MX787301NR	LTE Band Capability — LTE band capability options MX787301NR-001 to -256 (Band 1 to Band 256 Capability)
MX787302NR	Software Extension
MX787302NR-001	FR1 Power Class 2 Extension
MX787302NR-002	FR2 Extreme Temperature Condition Control Extension
MX787302NR-005	FR2 Power Class 1 Extension
MX787302NR-006	FR1 Power Class 1.5 Extension
MX787302NR-007	FR1 LowPAPR Extension
MX787302NR-010	FR1 NR 3CC 1Band Intra Cont
MX787302NR-011	FR1 NR 3CC 1Band Intra Non Cont
MX787302NR-012	FR1 NR 3CC 2Band Intra Cont
MX787302NR-013	FR1 NR 3CC 2Band Intra Non Cont
MX787302NR-014	FR1 NR 3CC 3Band Inter
MX787302NR-015	FR1 NR 3CC 1Band/2Band over BW200MHz
MX787302NR-016	FR1 NR 3CC Flexible Band Combination
MX787302NR-023	FR1 NR 4CC 2Band Intra Non Cont
MX787302NR-026	FR1 NR 4CC 3Band Intra Non Cont
MX787302NR-027	FR1 NR 4CC 4Band Inter
MX787302NR-029	FR1 HigherPowerlimit-r17 Extension
MX787302NR-030	FR1 DL1024QAM Capability Extension
MX787303NR	Extension Test Software — NB-IoT NTN and supplementary test case packages
MX787304NR	Software Function Extension
MX787304NR-001	UE Capability Analysis Extension
MX787304NR-002	Break Point Extension
MX787304NR-003	Flexible Rx Extension
MX787304NR-006	FR2 Interferer Sweep Extension
MX787304NR-007	Retest sequence creation function
MX787304NR-009	Throughput analysis per slot function
MX787304NR-010	Initial Channel Editor
MX787305NR	Regulatory FR1 Test Software — TRX test case packages for ETSI
MX787308NR	Lite Platform Functionality
MX787308NR-001	FDD NR NSA FR1 Test Software
MX787308NR-011	FDD NR SA FR1 Test Software
MX787308NR-012	FDD NR SA FR1 UL-MIMO Test Software
MX787308NR-013	FDD NR SA FR1 2Rx RedCap Test Software
MX787308NR-021	FDD NR SA FR1 2CC Test Software
MX787308NR-031	FDD-TDD NR SA FR1 2CC Test Software
MX787308NR-041	TDD NR NSA FR1 Test Software
MX787308NR-051	TDD NR SA FR1 Test Software
MX787308NR-052	TDD NR SA FR1 UL-MIMO Test Software
MX787308NR-053	TDD NR SA FR1 2Rx RedCap Test Software
MX787308NR-061	TDD NR SA FR1 2CC Test Software
MX787308NR-071	Supplementary TRx Test Cases for Verizon
MX787308NR-081	Supplementary TRx Test Cases for AT&T
MX787308NR-091	Supplementary TRx Test Cases for T-Mobile
MX787311NR	FDD NR NSA FR1 Test Software
MX787313NR	FDD NR NSA FR1 3CC Test Software
MX787320NR	FDD NR SA FR1 Test Software2
MX787321NR	FDD NR SA FR1 Test Software
MX787322NR	FDD NR SA FR1 2CC Test Software
MX787323NR	FDD NR SA FR1 3CC Test Software
MX787324NR	FDD NR SA FR1 4CC Test Software
MX787333NR	FDD-TDD NR NSA FR1 3CC Test Software
MX787342NR	FDD-TDD NR SA FR1 2CC Test Software
MX787343NR	FDD-TDD NR SA FR1 3CC Test Software
MX787344NR	FDD-TDD NR SA FR1 4CC Test Software
MX787351NR	FDD-TDD/TDD FR1/FR2 DC Test Software
MX787361NR	TDD NR NSA FR1 Test Software
MX787363NR	TDD NR NSA FR1 3CC Test Software
MX787371NR	TDD NR NSA FR2 Test Software
MX787372NR	TDD NR NSA FR2 UL CA Test Software
MX787373NR	TDD NR NSA FR2 DL CA Test Software
MX787380NR	TDD NR SA FR1 Test Software2
MX787381NR	TDD NR SA FR1 Test Software
MX787382NR	TDD NR SA FR1 2CC Test Software
MX787383NR	TDD NR SA FR1 3CC Test Software
MX787391NR	TDD NR SA FR2 Test Software