5G testing at 28 GHz millimeter wave report preivew

1. www.signalsresearch.com
Dispatches from the frontier of wireless research
February 1, 2018
FUN WITH MILLIMETER WAVE SIGNALS
Video Highlights of our Forthcoming Benchmark
Study of a 5GTF Network Deployment

2. 2 | Signals Flash February 1, 2018
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Last week, Signals Research Group (SRG), in collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz (R&S), conducted
what we believe is the first independent benchmark study of a 5G network deployment, specifi-
cally a 28 GHz millimeter wave system. For this study, we used the R&S TSME scanner to collect
RF signal characteristics which allow us to calculate the likely coverage areas as well as potential
maximum end user data rates. We conducted the study in Houston, Texas where Verizon Wireless
has deployed a 5GTF trial network that we believe is now supporting user traffic. Although the
5GTF specifications are not compatible with the industry-accepted 3GPP specifications, we
believe the differences have immaterial impact on the metrics that we analyzed.
We are currently in the process of analyzing the data so that we can publish a report in advance
of Mobile World Congress. Active Signals Ahead subscribers will receive the report when we
release it, while it will also be available for purchase. We have posted a video on the homepage
of our website (www.signalsresearch.com) which highlights our test methodology. The video also
provides some strong hints for the performance we observed.
As always, unlike our subscription-based Signals Ahead reports, you may forward this Signals
Flash! report to whomever you want.
➤➤ We collected mmWave RF performance metrics, such as signal strength and signal quality, using
the R&S TSME scanner. We included walk tests and stationary tests using an omni-directional
and a directional horn antenna. Samsung is the 5GTF infrastructure supplier in this market.
➤➤ The video can be accessed from our home page (www.signalsresearch.com) or you can access
it directly at www.signalsresearch.com/5gtf-video. No registration is required to view the
video.
➤➤ The video highlights several test scenarios involving line-of-site, near-line-of-site, and non-
line-of-site conditions at distances that go well beyond operator claims that we’ve heard. We
leveraged tree foliage, buildings (indoors and outdoors), passing school buses, large SUVs, and
even a bald head as part of our test methodology.
➤➤ Although the video doesn’t show actual results in detail – we do include a short clip of the
real-time TSME output – suffice it to say that we wouldn’t bother setting up a test scenario
unless we were reasonably comfortable that it would work at least marginally well.
➤➤ We will be publishing the report in advance of MWC – knock on wood. If you are attending
MWC and you would like to meet, please drop us a line.

3. 3 | Signals Flash February 1, 2018
PART OF
“THE MOTHER OF ALL NETWORK BENCHMARK TESTS”
SERIES OF REPORTS
5G:The Greatest
Show on
Earth!
Coming to an
email Inbox
near you,
soon!

4. 4 | Signals Flash February 1, 2018
FUN WITH MILLIMETER WAVE SIGNALS
3GPP has “finished” work on the early drop of Release 15, which is limited to enhanced mobile
broadband (eMBB) and the NSA (Non-Standalone) architecture option. Concurrently, operators
are trialing various vendor-specific flavors of 5G with their vendor partners. Verizon Wireless
is a bit unique in that regard since its ongoing trial networks are based on a set of published
specifications, which have the support of multiple vendors. Further, Verizon (and KT) have plans
to transition these trial networks to support commercial services. We believe Verizon is already
supporting at least some consumer traffic on its networks.
It is still the very early days of 5G and the networks that are in place today will either be replaced
or undergo significant upgrades to support Release 15. However, the RF characteristics of milli-
meter wave will remain largely unchanged. While higher layer protocols have an important role
on compatibility, OFDM-based waveform based on the 5GTF specifications will behave in a very
similar manner to an OFDM-based waveform based on the 3GPP set of specifications.
With this premise, we collaborated with R&S to conduct the industry’s first independent bench-
mark study of a commercial or trial 5G millimeter wave network. For this study, we used the
R&S TSME scanner, a portable unit that we carried around all day in a backpack and which just
happens to decode the 5GTF waveform. We tested in the Houston market where Samsung is
the infrastructure supplier. Since the network was designed to provide fixed wireless services,
we tested the network against this criterion. We performed walk tests in residential neighbor-
hoods to map out the likely coverage areas provided by the 5GTF radios that we identified on a
couple of cell towers. We then conducted multiple stationary tests at various points of interest,
including indoor and outdoor locations. We also conducted sensitivity studies to help us quan-
tify the impact of man-made and natural obstacles which could impact the millimeter wave
transmissions. Examples include tree foliage, buildings, walls, fixed and passing vehicles, not to
mention a bald head.
There is one very important difference between the scanner we used and a fixed CPE. A fixed CPE
is actively communicating with the serving cell site so the 5GTF radio can steer the beams to the
CPE. The omni-directional (walk tests and stationary) and directional horn (stationary) antennas
that we used for this study are passive, meaning the 5GTF radios aren’t even aware of their pres-
ence, let alone trying to send directional beams to them. As part of our ongoing analysis, we are
making reasonable assumptions which will allow us to make the necessary adjustments to the
data we collected. We will also include pathloss to ensure the estimated downlink performance is
not constrained by the uplink transmission path. For our analysis we will focus primarily on BRSRP,
BRSRQ, and BRS CINR, as well as comparable information for some synchronization channels.
Unlike our more in-depth Signals Ahead research reports, there are not any restrictions asso-
ciated with the redistribution of this document. Recipients of Signals Flash! may share this
document both internally within their organization and externally with reckless abandon.
In fact, we encourage it! In addition to providing near-real-time commentary and analysis
of industry noteworthy events, Signals Flash! provides readers with a summary of past and
planned research reports that we offer through our subscription-based Signals Ahead research
product. We have also taken the opportunity to promote a couple of our most recent and
futuristic reports for readers of this Signals Flash! who don’t subscribe to Signals Ahead.

5. 5 | Signals Flash February 1, 2018
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6. 6 | Signals Flash February 1, 2018
The R&S scanner captures these metrics for the top eight beams (the “B” in BRSP, BRSRQ, etc.),
which can span the four 100 MHz radio channels that we observed in each sector.
Our plan is to publish this report just in advance of Mobile World Congress. We will be distributing
the report to Signals Ahead subscribers, who will receive the report as part of their subscription.
Until next time, be on the lookout for the next Signals Ahead….

7. 7 | Signals Flash February 1, 2018
PART 2
AT&T’s 5G
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8. 8 | Signals Flash February 1, 2018
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
SIGNALS AHEAD BACK ISSUES
➤ 1/24/18 “It’s a Small Cell World after all!: The
Indianapolis 795.1” SRG conducted its third benchmark
study of small cells. For this round, we turned our attention
to LAA (Licensed Assisted Access) and the AT&T network
in Indianapolis, Indiana where Ericsson is the infrastructure
supplier.
Highlights of the Report Include the Following:
The Numbers:
• 450 GB (at least) of transferred data in the downlink
direction
• 795.1 Mbps peak data rate
• 230 Mbps average data rate (overall, including non-small
cell usage)
• More than 60% of data transferred on unlicensed
spectrum
• Nine different UNII-1 and UNII-3 channels, including
Channel 165, used at some point during the tests
• Less than 5 hours required to transfer the data (user
experience tests only)
• 1 square kilometer (approximate) test area
Just Some of the Analysis:
• PHY layer and RB normalized PHY layer throughput -
macro, small cells,unlicensed versus licensed - distribu-
tions and geo plots
• Throughput versus SINR and RSRP - by licensed and
unlicensed radio carrier; mobility versus walking
• Implied Spectral Efficiency - macro versus small cells
• Relationships between licensed primary carrier and
Band 46(5 GHz) for many key metrics (e.g., RSRP, SINR,
etc.)
• Comparisons of MIMO Rank, modulation schemes, and
MCS by radio carrier
• Impact of vehicular speed on SINR and data speeds -
small cells and macro
• Indoor Coverage Comparison - licensed versus Band 46
• User Experience
➤ 1/3/18 “RAN #78 5G Standardization Update:
NEW RELEASE HANGOVER!” SRG recently attended
the RAN#78 Plenary, held in Lisbon, Portugal. In addition
to approving the set of specifications, which comprise the
early drop of Release 15 (NSA Option 3 and eMBB only), the
Plenary made several decisions or delayed making decisions
which have a profound impact on Release 15 functionality
and the potential Release 16 functionality which remains
undefined.
Highlights of the Report Include the Following:
NextStepsandImplications.AlthoughthePlenaryapproved
the initial set of Release 15 specifications to support eMBB
and Option 3, significant work remains to finalize the speci-
fications. Q1/2018 is nearly reserved for these activities, at
the expense of other important activities. In particular, new
5G NR study items remain on hold, which impacts potential
Release 16 functionality and/or the schedule.
The Real Motivation for NSA. Although, LTE + 5G NR via
dual connectivity is important for seamless coverage and
connectivity with millimeter wave deployments, it is equally
important for sub 6 GHz (FR1) deployments, albeit for
completely different reasons. We explain.
Some New Study and Work Items. There were a few
exceptions to the “no new study and work items” policy,
largely involving absolutely critical study/work items and
pre-existing study items that are now work items. We break
them down and provide our thoughts.
New UE (User Equipment) Requirements. 3GPP approved
or is strongly considering several new requirements which
impact UE performance - both for LTE and 5G NR. We
discuss.
➤ 12/18/17 “To Delano and Beyond! A Benchmark
Study of High Power User Equipment (HPUE) in
a Commercial Band 41 LTE TDD Network” SRG
conducted a benchmark study of HPUE (High Power User
Equipment) with a Power Class 2 Power Amplifier (PA), to
determine how it performs against an ordinary smartphone
with a Power Class 3 PA. We used Sprint’s network in rural
Minnesota and the Chicago vicinity where Samsung is the
infrastructure suppler.
Highlights of the Report Include the Following:
Our Thanks. This study could not have been done without
the support of Accuver Americas, who provided us with
its XCAL-Solo drive test tool and XCAP post-processing
software.
Our Methodology. We used FTP downlink/uplink full
buffer data transfers to analyze the performance of two
smartphones, the Note 8 (Class 2) and the S7 Edge (Class
3), including data speeds and more important underlying
metrics. We used both time-based and geo-binned data for
our analysis.
A Must Read. This report is a “”must read”” for any organiza-
tion interested in how operators can impact the performance
of their LTE-TDD network, not to mention organizations that
want to know how advancements in LTE continue despite
the ongoing work on the new 5G/NR standard.
The Potential Results (read the report to learn what we
found). In theory, the benefits of HPUE include the following:
• Higher uplink data speeds, meaning a better user experi-
ence, especially at the edge of cell;
• Higher downlink data rates in situations where the uplink
coverage limits the transmission of uplink ACKs and NACKs;
• Increased uplink spectral efficiency by using higher MCS
values; and
• Increased Band 41 coverage/more time spent on Band 41.

9. EXPLORE THE
WORLD OF
5GWIRELESS
January 31, 2012, Vol. 8 No. 2January 31, 2012, Vol. 8 No. 2Redefining Research
J F M A M J J A O N D J F M A M J J A S O NS
December 8, 2015 Vol. 11, No. 10
EXPLORING THE WORLD OF WIRELESS
GET SMART[ER]
UNDERSTANDING THE INS AND OUTS OF THE 5G USE CASES
January 31, 2012, Vol. 8 NoJanuary 31, 2012, Vol. 8 NoRedefining Research
J F M A M J J A O N D J F M A M JS
December 8, 2015 Vol. 11, No
EXPLORING THE WORLD OF WIRELE
MORE 5G
January 31, 2012, Vol. 8 No. 2January 31, 2012, Vol. 8 No. 2Redefining Research
J F M A M J J A O N D J F M A M J J A S O NS
September 30, 2015 Vol. 11, No. 8
EXPLORING THE WORLD OF WIRELESS
LOOKING FURTHER
AHEAD TO 5.5G1
UPDATES ON THE 3GPP 5G STANDARDIZATION EFFORTS
1
Feel free to note the sarcasm
New subscribers to SIGNALS AHEAD will receive up to four
5G-related back issues FOR FREE with a paid subscription.
...with more
to come!
FOLLOW THE 5G STANDARDIZATION EFFORT AS IT HAPPENS
January 31, 2012, Vol. 8 No. 2December 8, 2015 Vol. 11, No. 10 PREVIEWJanuary 31, 2012, Vol. 8 No. 2January 31, 2012, Vol. 8 No. 2Redefining Research
J F M A M J J A O N D J F M A M J J A S O NS
December 22, 2015 Vol. 11, No. 11 PREVIEW
EXPLORING THE WORLD OF WIRELESS
ALL QUIET ON THE 5G FRONT
AN UPDATE ON THE 5G STANDARDIZATION EFFORTS
AND OTHER 3G-RELATED ACTIVITIES

10. 10 | Signals Flash February 1, 2018
ON THE HORIZON: POTENTIAL SIGNALS AHEAD/SIGNALS FLASH! TOPICS
We have identified a list of pending research topics that we are currently considering or presently working on completing.
The topics at the top of the list are definitive with many of them already in the works. The topics toward the bottom of
the page are a bit more speculative. Obviously, this list is subject to change based on various factors and market trends.
As always, we welcome suggestions from our readers.
5G Standardization
➤➤ 5G from a 3GPP Perspective (ongoing series of reports – published quarterly or as warranted)
Thematic Reports
➤➤ Mobile Edge Computing and the impact of data caching at the cell edge
➤➤ LTE and the Connected Car
➤➤ Cloud RAN
➤➤ LTE-Advanced Pro features, opportunities and challenges
Benchmark Studies
➤➤ Multiple 5G Benchmark studies
➤➤ OTA Benchmark Study of smartphones, part II (TM2, etc.)
➤➤ VoLTE Part Seven – VoLTE voice quality update study
➤➤ Network impacts (to include signaling) of using various smartphone OS platforms and/or applications (video,
VoLTE, social networking, etc.)
➤➤ Uplink CoMP network benchmark study
➤➤ MU-MIMO
➤➤ Massive MIMO
➤➤ IoT-Benchmark Study (Lab)
➤➤ IoT-Benchmark Study (Field)

11. please note disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter reflect those of Signals Research Group and are based on our understanding of past and current events shaping the wireless industry.
This report is provided for informational purposes only and on the condition that it will not form a basis for any investment decision. The information has been obtained from sources believed to be
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stated herein, or any opinion, projection, forecast or estimate set forth herein, changes or subsequently becomes inaccurate.
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