The document discusses conformance testing of a BLU mobile device on a CMU200 tester. Transmitter output power and reference sensitivity tests were performed. For output power, the BLU passed by meeting tolerance limits for different power classes. For sensitivity, the BLU achieved the desired 2% error rate and showed better performance than the limit line. In conclusion, the BLU passed conformance tests for output power and sensitivity based on 3GPP specifications.

1. MOBILE STATION CONFORMANCE TESTING FOR GSM
Transmission Output Power and Reference Sensitivity
Rahul Gopal Adav
PG Certification of Wireless Networking Infrastructure
Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
Kitchener, Canada
adav4ever@gmail.com
Abstract— To ensure that cell phones operate
correctly when deployed, they have to undergo
hardware and software check, known as
conformance testing [2]. In this novel, we are
going to discuss conformance specification testing
of DUT (BLU) on CMU200, graphs plotted base
on measured results and comments whether
device passed or failed the conformance test.
Keywords—BLU, CMU200,Sensitivity,Power
I. INTRODUCTION
Today, vast numbers of mobile phones are in use
around the globe. 2006 saw in well excess of 2
billion subscribers connected and over 1 billion
phones manufactured [2]. When users buy phones
they expect that the system will work. They are not
interested in the reasons why there may be problems,
often blaming the phone itself. Poor service, for
whatever reason, will result in users choosing a
different network, and adding to the rate of churn
[2].
Ensuring that cell phones operate correctly when
deployed is no easy task. Testing of the design is
required at all stages of the development. It is
necessary to check the hardware, and software. Once
the cell phone is assembled, full testing of the
complete "system" is required, testing it against its
requirements and specification. Then prior to
deployment it must undergo formal testing and be
"approved" before it can be used[2].
Dependent upon the type of cellular network, i.e.
GSM / UMTS, or CDMA (cdmaOne / cdma2000)
this formal "approval" may take one of two forms:
• Conformance test
• Interoperability test
Once the formal approval has been gained, the cell
phone can then be manufactured in quantity, sold
and deployed on the cellular network.
A. Transmitter Output Power
The transmitter output power is the average value of
the power delivered to an artificial antenna or
radiated by the MS and its integral antenna, over the
time that the useful information bits of one burst are
transmitted [1].
1) Conformance requirement
1. The power control levels shall have the
nominal output power levels as defined in
Table 1, from the lowest power control level
up to the maximum output power
corresponding to the class of the MS (for
tolerance on maximum output power see
conformance requirements 1), with a tolerance
of ±3 dB, ±4 dB or ±5 dB under normal
conditions [1].
2. The power control levels shall have the
nominal output power levels as defined in
Table 1, from the lowest power control level
up to the maximum output power
corresponding to the class of the MS (for
tolerance on maximum output power see
conformance requirements 2), with a tolerance
of ±2.5 dB, ±4 dB or ±6 dB under extreme
conditions [1].

2. Table 1 [3]
B. Reference sensitivity
The reference sensitivity is the signal level at the MS
receiver input at which a certain BER and FER must
be achieved [1].
Conformance requirement
1. At reference sensitivity level, the TCH/EFS
FER Class RBER Ib shall meet the reference
sensitivity performance of Figure 1 for GMSK
modulated channel;
4. At reference sensitivity level, the RBER/FER
class RBERII, should meet the performance of
Figure 1 for GMSK modulated channel [1].
Figure 1 [3]
Figure 2 [3]
Figure 2 shows the required minimum reference
sensitivity value for different GSM bands that DUT
shall achieve to pass the conformance test.
An example of minimum Reference sensitivity
values for GSM Band 900, with no Carrier
Interference from nearby base stations, is shown in
Figure 3. The Limit red line at -102dBm is the
Networks Maximum Reference Sensitivity Level
when tested Conducted, or Radiated in free space
inside an anechoic chamber. Any minimum
reference sensitivity values above the delta (-
102dBm) are regarded as a failure, for certification
and conformance testing performed by an RF
engineer [3].
Figure 3
In this paper, we will present the results of
conformance specification test performed in the
laboratory under static condition for GSM, using
CMU200 and BLU device the results are plotted on
a graph for comparison.
II. METHODOLOGY
A. Power Measurement
Figure 4
Test Setup:
o Start the CMU200 by pressing the start
button on front panel.
o Press the button “Menu Select” turning the
variation knob, select the desired band of
testing (850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz or
1900 MHz), using the right control arrow

3. below the Variation knob select
|”Signaling”.
o Select the Internal Reference Oscillator
10MHz by pressing the Reference
Frequency button in the vertical row. (“RF
Generator off” menu screen).
o Select RF2 Gen-Out, RX-IN RF2, input the
path loss value (dB) for Gen-Out, RX-In, by
first pressing the AF/RF button located
below from the horizontal row to input the
values in the RF Connector Setup Screen.
o Select the right-hand vertical row, press the
button "Slot Mode" and with the Variation
knob, and control arrows, turn and select
"Single Slot"
o Select the right-hand vertical row, press the
button "PCL" and with the Variation knob,
and control arrows, turn and select “Power
level “required” .
o Select and press the “BS Signal” button in
the bottom horizontal row of switches, set
the Power level high (~-60dBm) for BCCH,
and (-65dBm) TCH.
o Press the “Network Support” button and
turning the Variation knob select “GSM
only”
o Press the “Main Service” button and turning
the Variation knob select “Circuit Switched.
o Turn Signal On, OFF, and then “ON”.
o The signal is ON, stand by, wait for
synchronization between the BSTN and the
MS.
o The call between the mobile device and the
BSTN is “Established” after synchronization
[3].
o The BSTN can call the MS (Alert) by
pressing the “Connect Mobile button.
o The MS mobile handset can call the BSTN
by dialing a 4 digit number.
o The call can be disconnected by pressing the
“Disconnect Mobile” button.
o After the connection is "Established", the
Average Burst Power is displayed in the
"RUN" top left the window. It is the
required value to be measured.
B. Reference Sensitivity
Test Setup:
o Start the CMU200 by pressing the start
button on front panel.
o Press the button “Menu Select” turning the
variation knob, select the desired band of
testing (850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz or
1900 MHz), using the right control arrow
below the Variation knob select
|”Signaling”.
o Select the Internal Reference Oscillator
10MHz by pressing the Reference
Frequency button in the vertical row. (“RF
Generator off” menu screen).
o Select RF2 Gen-Out, RX-IN RF2, input the
path loss value (dB) for Gen-Out, RX-In, by
first pressing the AF/RF button located
below from the horizontal row to input the
values in the RF Connector Setup Screen.
o Select the right-hand vertical row, press the
button "Slot Mode" and with the Variation
knob, and control arrows, turn and select
"Single Slot"
o Select the right-hand vertical row, press the
button "PCL" and with the Variation knob,
and control arrows, turn and select "Power
level "required" .
o Select and press the “BS Signal” button in
the bottom horizontal row of switches, set
the Power level high (~-60dBm) for BCCH,
and (-65dBm) TCH.
o Press the “Network Support” button and
turning the Variation knob select “GSM
only”
o Press the “Main Service” button and turning
the Variation knob select “Circuit Switched.
o Turn Signal On, OFF, and then “ON”.
o The signal is ON, stand by, wait for
synchronization between the BSTN and the
MS.
o The call between the mobile device and the
BSTN is “Established” after
synchronization.
o The BSTN can call the MS (Alert) by
pressing the “Connect Mobile button.
o The MS mobile handset can call the BSTN
by dialing a 4 digit number.
o The call can be disconnected by pressing the
“Disconnect Mobile” button.
o Press the "Application" button located in the
vertical right-hand column"

4. Figure 5
o Press the “BER Average” button on the
bottom horizontal row.
o Press the “Average” button on the bottom
horizontal row, with the Variation knob
select “500 Frames”
o Press the "Meas Mode" button on the bottom
horizontal row, with the Variation knob,
select "RBER/FER"
o Press the “BER Average” button in the
vertical row, proceed to the “ON/OFF”
switch below the number pad toggling it
from Halt/OFF/RUN watching the
Halt/OFF/RUN -flag in the BER Average
window change.as selected.
Figure 6
o Toggle the OFF/ON button from OFF; to
RUN
o Select the right-hand vertical row, press the
button "BS Signal" and at the bottom
horizontal row select and press the button
TCH-Level-used TS".
o Turn the Variation knob, adjusting the “TCH
Lev BER used TS”, decreasing the BSTN
signal power to the receiver adjusting the
sensitivity output level, stopping at 2%
RBER/FER which is displayed on the top
left side of the display screen titled “Class
II”
o Result; The Minimum Radiated
REFERENCE Sensitivity for the selected
received channel power value in dBm, is
displayed in the “TCH-Level-BER used TS”
window [3].
Figure 7
III. TEST RESULTS
A. Transmitter Power Level
The Fig8.a. below shows the performed test
results of measured power level transmitted by
MS in dBm for respective power class, at 900
MHZ band.
Figure 8.a
As seen in above fig, the power class test is carried
out for the 900 MHz band, power class range 5 -19.
Figure 8.b Reported Power vs Power Class

5. As seen in the Figure 8.a, the radiated test is carried
out for BLU device for transmitter power
conformance under normal condition. It is noticeable
that DUT passes the power level test carried on with
channel 977, with BBCH set to -60dBm and TCH to
-80dBm, as the value delta which corresponds to
tolerance limits is within the specified values as in
Table 1.The graph of reported power measured from
CMU200 overview screen is plotted in Figure 8.b.
B. Receiver Reference Sensitivity
The Figure 9.a and 9.b shows, the measured values
of reference sensitivity of received signal and the
graph plot of measured values respectively.
Figure 9.a
As seen in Figure 9.a, the Class II% RBER is
measured for different frequencies in 900MHZ band
under static conditions.
Desire value of 2% is achieved for DUT as defined
in Figure 1, or it is within ± 0.5. It is maximum
desired RBER value outside this the DUT is not
suitable as this gives poor signal quality.
Figure 9.b
As in above graph, the red line is the limit line for
minimum reference level, any value is above
-102dBm (> -102dBm) to achieve 2% RBER is not
desired. For the performed test in the laboratory, the
blue line in the graph shows the values reported for
respective frequency. It well below the limit line,
can be stated that the DUT shows a better
performance by approximately +7 dBm. Under
accurate test condition, we will get more accurate
results.
IV. CONCLUSION
As, can be observed from the measured values and
graph plot. The DUT passes the conformance test as
per conformance specification provided by 3GPP,
for transmitter output power and minimum reference
sensitivity. To deploy the device in the market it still
needs to undergo the different stages of conformance
testing specified by 3GPP.
V. REFERENCES
1. The Mobile Broadband Standard. (2016,
June). Retrieved August 08, 2016, from Rel-
13 “Version -13.1.0” at
http://www.3gpp.org/DynaReport/51010-
1.htm
2. Cellular Phone Conformance Testing. (n.d.).
Retrieved August 08, 2016, from
http://www.radio-
electronics.com/info/cellulartelecomms/cellu
lar-testing/conformance-test.php
3. Doll, J., Professor. (n.d.). Wireless &
Network Tools. TCOM8020-1 Prog: 1374
Jan 2016 Handbook-Rev-A, 17-120.
doi:January 2016

6. As seen in the Figure 8.a, the radiated test is carried
out for BLU device for transmitter power
conformance under normal condition. It is noticeable
that DUT passes the power level test carried on with
channel 977, with BBCH set to -60dBm and TCH to
-80dBm, as the value delta which corresponds to
tolerance limits is within the specified values as in
Table 1.The graph of reported power measured from
CMU200 overview screen is plotted in Figure 8.b.
B. Receiver Reference Sensitivity
The Figure 9.a and 9.b shows, the measured values
of reference sensitivity of received signal and the
graph plot of measured values respectively.
Figure 9.a
As seen in Figure 9.a, the Class II% RBER is
measured for different frequencies in 900MHZ band
under static conditions.
Desire value of 2% is achieved for DUT as defined
in Figure 1, or it is within ± 0.5. It is maximum
desired RBER value outside this the DUT is not
suitable as this gives poor signal quality.
Figure 9.b
As in above graph, the red line is the limit line for
minimum reference level, any value is above
-102dBm (> -102dBm) to achieve 2% RBER is not
desired. For the performed test in the laboratory, the
blue line in the graph shows the values reported for
respective frequency. It well below the limit line,
can be stated that the DUT shows a better
performance by approximately +7 dBm. Under
accurate test condition, we will get more accurate
results.
IV. CONCLUSION
As, can be observed from the measured values and
graph plot. The DUT passes the conformance test as
per conformance specification provided by 3GPP,
for transmitter output power and minimum reference
sensitivity. To deploy the device in the market it still
needs to undergo the different stages of conformance
testing specified by 3GPP.
V. REFERENCES
1. The Mobile Broadband Standard. (2016,
June). Retrieved August 08, 2016, from Rel-
13 “Version -13.1.0” at
http://www.3gpp.org/DynaReport/51010-
1.htm
2. Cellular Phone Conformance Testing. (n.d.).
Retrieved August 08, 2016, from
http://www.radio-
electronics.com/info/cellulartelecomms/cellu
lar-testing/conformance-test.php
3. Doll, J., Professor. (n.d.). Wireless &
Network Tools. TCOM8020-1 Prog: 1374
Jan 2016 Handbook-Rev-A, 17-120.
doi:January 2016