Viasat is working with German test equipment firm Rohde & Schwarz to boost testing for narrowband non-terrestrial network (NB-NTN) IoT devices connecting via satellite.

By thoroughly validating devices and confirming interoperability with Viasat’s network, the collaboration aims to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for a wide range of satellite-based IoT applications. Visitors at this week’s MWC in Barcelona experienced the test plan in action.

Satellite communications specialist Viasat and Rohde & Schwarz are working together to strengthen and expand testing for NTN capabilities, specifically for NB-IoT devices. The collaboration aims to ensure that chipsets, modules and devices interoperate seamlessly with Viasat’s satellite network and comply with 3GPP Release 17 standards.

Deploying testing methodologies upholds standards of quality, performance and reliability for Viasat’s connectivity services: delivering ubiquitous IoT applications in areas without terrestrial network coverage.

The certification test plan with Viasat (www.viasat.com) entails protocol, performance and RF test scenarios. It is based on the CMX500 (www.rohde-schwarz.com/_258274.html) one-box signalling tester from Rohde & Schwarz, designed for testing various NTN technologies, including New Radio (NR-NTN) and NB-NTN. In a single instrument, the CMX500 covers R&D through certification and carrier acceptance tests, guaranteeing reliable and repeatable results. It empowers engineers to accelerate development, ensure quality and confidently deploy reliable NTN services, safeguarding that the whole ecosystem can achieve high levels of performance.

• Rohde & Schwarz (www.rohde-schwarz.com) and Realtek Semiconductors (www.realtek.com) have successfully validated the industry’s first tester for the upcoming Bluetooth LE high data throughput (HDT) feature. The companies jointly showed the setup based on the CMP180 radio communication tester from Rohde & Schwarz, characterising Realtek’s Bluetooth RTL8922D and RTL8773J, at this week’s MWC in Barcelona and plan to do so again at next week’s Embedded World (www.embedded-world.de) in Nuremberg.

For more information on Bluetooth test products from Rohde & Schwarz, visit www.rohde-schwarz.com/bluetooth.