5G Drive Testing with Electric Vehicles - eBook

A comprehensive guide
5G network drive testing
using electric vehicles

The selection of an appropriate EV for network
testing requires careful consideration of multiple
factors, with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability
emerging as a game-changing feature. V2L
technology, available in select models like the Ford
F-150 Lightning with its 9.6kW Pro Power Onboard
system or the Hyundai IONIQ 5 with 3.6kW V2L
capability, transforms the testing vehicle from a
simple transport platform into a mobile power
station for testing equipment.
The emergence of V2L capability has revolutionized
power management for testing equipment.
Traditional testing setups required complex auxiliary
battery systems, but V2L-equipped vehicles can
directly power testing equipment with stable, clean
power output. The Ford F-150 Lightning’s 9.6kW
system, for instance, can easily handle full testing
setups including multiple scanners, computers, and
auxiliary equipment without the need for additional
power systems.
When choosing an EV for network testing, the
testing environment should be your primary
consideration. Urban environments, with their
increasing number of Low Emission Zones and
restricted access areas, demand vehicles that
prioritize maneuverability and compliance with
local regulations. Compact EVs with V2L capability
like the Kia Nero excel in these scenarios, offering
a good balance of range and agility. For rural and
highway testing, where range anxiety becomes a
real concern, long-range vehicles like Ford F-150 its
Pro Power Onboard system proves invaluable. This
vehicle can cover extensive testing routes while
maintaining stable power for equipment operation.
Selecting the right electric vehicle for network testing
The landscape of mobile network testing is evolving rapidly with the emergence of electric
vehicles (EVs) as testing platforms. This guide presents a comprehensive approach to conducting
5G network drive testing using EVs, addressing both the unique challenges and opportunities
this combination presents. As cities increasingly implement stricter environmental regulations and
testing requirements become more complex, EVs offer not just a solution to access restrictions but
also advanced capabilities that can enhance the testing process itself.
2

Power management and equipment
configuration
Power management in EV-based testing operations
requires a fundamental shift in thinking compared
to traditional testing setups. V2L-equipped vehicles
eliminate the need for separate auxiliary battery
systems, simplifying the testing setup while providing
more reliable power. High-power V2L systems,
theoretically offering between 7-11.5kW, can support
comprehensive testing configurations including
multiple scanners, computers, and climate control
systems for sensitive equipment.
Testing equipment should be configured with careful
consideration of power requirements and physical
placement within the vehicle. A typical 5G testing
setup draws between 400-600W continuously,
including scanner systems (150-200W), data
collection computers (150-250W), and climate
control for equipment (100-150W). Modern EVs with
V2L capability can easily handle these loads while
maintaining stable power output.
Equipment mounting in EVs requires careful
consideration, with particular attention to both testing
authenticity and equipment protection. While the
availability of frunk (front trunk) space in many EVs
offers additional storage options, testing devices
often need to be positioned to replicate real-world
usage scenarios. Specifically, devices should be
mounted to simulate typical subscriber behavior -
such as a passenger holding and interacting with a
device - rather than being placed in positions (like
the vehicle roof) that might yield artificially optimized
results but don’t reflect realistic user conditions.
Temperature management is a critical concern in
testing setups. Equipment racks should be shock-
mounted to protect sensitive testing gear, and
proper ventilation must be maintained to prevent
overheating. The interior mounting of testing devices
not only better simulates real-world conditions but
also allows for more effective cooling through the
vehicle’s climate control system. When planning the
mounting configuration, proper weight distribution
remains crucial for vehicle handling and safety,
while ensuring all equipment remains accessible for
monitoring and adjustment during testing sessions.
Environmental impact of EVs’
usage for network testing: carbon
emissions analysis
Network drive testing operations have significant
environmental impacts that can be substantially
reduced through EV adoption. Based on data from
the International Energy Agency (IEA, 2023) and the
EPA’s vehicle emissions database, we can quantify
these benefits:
Traditional drive testing vehicle emissions (average
based on observations of NT projects performed
using TEMS™ solutions):
• Average daily testing distance: 200 km
• Annual testing days: 250 (typical working year)
• Fuel consumption while driving: 10L/100km
• Idle fuel consumption: 2L/hour
(EPA Idle Fuel Consumption Database, 2023)
• Diesel CO2 emissions: 2.68 kg CO2 per liter
(EPA Emissions Factors, 2023)
EV testing emissions (varies by region):
• Energy consumption: 20 kWh/100km (based on
real-world EV fleet data)
• Grid electricity CO2 intensity (2023 data from
respective agencies):
• European Union: 0.231 kg CO2/kWh
(European Environment Agency)
• United States: 0.386 kg CO2/kWh (EPA eGRID)
Annual CO2 reduction potential:
• EU operations: 13,673 kg CO2 (83.7% reduction)
• US operations: 11,891 kg CO2 (72.8% reduction)
3

Test cases around charging stations
Charging station testing
Charging stations have emerged as critical testing
locations, representing unique network usage
patterns that require special attention. The need
for robust network coverage at charging stations
is supported by recent studies. According to
the Electric Vehicle Council (2023), the average
charging session duration is 31.5 minutes for DC
fast charging and 142 minutes for Level 2 charging.
During these sessions, users typically consume:
• Video streaming: 45% of data usage
• Web browsing: 25%
• Video calls: 15%
• Other applications: 15%
This usage pattern creates an ideal scenario for
testing network capacity and performance under
real-world conditions.
Network testing at charging stations should
follow a comprehensive protocol that accounts
for various usage patterns. Peak usage typically
occurs during evening hours and weekends, when
multiple vehicles may be charging simultaneously
while occupants engage in various online activities.
Testing should verify that the network can handle
multiple simultaneous HD video streams, large file
transfers, and video conferencing sessions while
maintaining acceptable performance metrics.
For continuous monitoring and rapid response to
network issues at charging stations, TEMS Sense
integrated with TEMS Cloud provides an optimal
solution. TEMS Sense enables 24/7 automated
testing at and around charging stations, with results
visible in near-real-time through TEMS Cloud.
Route planning and field test team monitoring
Whether you use EVs or petrol/hybrid cars, remains the need to remotely manage the field test team,
including distributing standardized work orders, testing routines and drive routes.
Route planning for EV-based testing requires a multi-faceted approach that balances several critical factors.
While managing vehicle range and charging requirements is essential, the primary focus must remain on
meeting specific testing objectives. Testing routes need to satisfy various criteria including coverage of
predetermined percentages of cell site areas, incorporation of both primary and secondary roads, and
data collection during peak usage hours. These testing requirements often take precedence over vehicle
efficiency considerations.
Within these testing parameters, vehicle management becomes an important secondary consideration.
Routes should be optimized to utilize approximately 80% of the vehicle’s range between charging stops
to maintain a safety margin. This approach must be balanced with the requirement to test charging station
locations thoroughly, as these represent critical infrastructure points for both vehicle operations and
network usage patterns.
The complexity of these route planning requirements necessitates sophisticated management tools.
A centralized back-office solution like TEMS Cloud provides the flexibility needed to accommodate diverse
testing scenarios and customer requirements. Through this platform, testing teams can remotely configure
and distribute work orders that specify not just what to test, but precisely where to drive - a critical capability
that can be customized to meet varying customer needs and use cases. The system’s real-time visibility and
comprehensive alarm capabilities ensure that operational issues can be identified and addressed quickly,
maintaining testing efficiency while adhering to required coverage and testing parameters.
4

This continuous monitoring allows operators to
quickly identify and respond to various network
issues that could impact user experience, such as:
• Consistently low throughput during streaming or
web-browsing sessions
• Call setup failures or quality degradation
• Unexpected handovers that might disrupt service
• Performance variations during peak usage periods
The combination of TEMS products enables
proactive network optimization, ensuring that
charging station locations maintain the high-quality
network performance required for extensive user
engagement during charging sessions. Real-time
visibility of network performance allows operators
to take immediate action when issues are detected,
maintaining service quality in these critical locations.
Charging station network
benchmarking framework
Charging stations require a specialized
benchmarking framework that accounts for their
unique usage patterns. For basic coverage,
networks should deliver minimum download
speeds of 100 Mbps per user, upload speeds of
20 Mbps, and latency under 50ms with 99.9%
availability. However, optimal performance targets
should aim higher: 250 Mbps download, 50 Mbps
upload, and latency under 20ms with 99.99%
availability. These benchmarks ensure a smooth
experience for all users, whether they’re streaming
movies, participating in video calls, or handling
large file transfers during their charging session.
Different categories of charging stations require
varying approaches to testing. Highway charging
stations typically see burst usage patterns with
multiple simultaneous users during peak travel
times. Urban charging hubs experience more
consistent usage throughout business hours
but may face higher peak demands. Destination
chargers, such as those at hotels or shopping
centers, often see extended duration usage with
lower simultaneous user counts but consistent
bandwidth demands.
Documentation and reporting
Comprehensive documentation of testing results
is crucial for maintaining testing integrity and
enabling future optimization. Traditional reporting
has focused on standard testing data, but evolving
industry needs suggest an opportunity to expand
reporting capabilities to align with broader
corporate initiatives.
Conventional testing reports
Reports typically include detailed network
performance metrics, testing conditions, and quality
of service measurements. For charging station
testing specifically, reports document peak usage
patterns, concurrent user loads, and service quality
metrics. A centralized back-office solution such
as TEMS Cloud facilitates the creation of these
customized reports with flexible visualizations,
data filtering, and additional elements that help
operators optimize their networks.
5

Environmental impact reporting
As telecommunications players increasingly
embrace environmental responsibility programs,
there’s an emerging opportunity to integrate
environmental impact metrics into testing
reports. While not yet a common requirement,
environmental reporting could provide valuable
insights for operators’ sustainability initiatives.
This might include:
• Power consumption patterns during testing
• Environmental conditions impact
on network performance
• Energy efficiency metrics for different
testing scenarios
• Carbon footprint calculations
for testing operations
TEMS Cloud’s flexible reporting capabilities
position it well to incorporate such environmental
metrics as they become more relevant to
operators’ sustainability goals. By anticipating this
potential requirement, testing solutions can align
with larger corporate environmental programs
while maintaining their core focus on network
performance validation.
This comprehensive approach to reporting ensures
that operators have access to both traditional
performance metrics and emerging environmental
impact data, supporting both technical optimization
and broader corporate sustainability objectives.
Safety and emergency procedures
Safety considerations for EV-based testing
operations extend beyond traditional testing
safety protocols. Teams must be familiar with EV-
specific emergency procedures, including proper
handling of high-voltage systems and emergency
shutdown protocols. Weather conditions affect EVs
differently than traditional vehicles, particularly in
terms of range and charging capabilities, and these
factors must be incorporated into safety planning.
A comprehensive and centralized alarm system
delivered with TEMS Cloud could assist the field
test teams to address operational issues quickly
and reliably.
Future considerations
As cities continue to implement stricter
environmental regulations and more areas become
restricted to zero-emission vehicles, EV-based
testing will become increasingly important.
The evolution of V2L technology and
improvements in EV range and charging
capabilities will continue to enhance the testing
capabilities of these platforms. Testing teams
should stay informed about developments in both
EV technology and urban access regulations to
maintain effective testing capabilities.
Conclusion
The integration of EVs into network testing
operations represents more than just compliance
with environmental regulations – it offers new
capabilities and opportunities for enhanced testing
procedures. As both EV technology and 5G
networks continue to evolve, the synergy between
these technologies will become increasingly
important for effective network testing and
optimization. Also, environmental considerations
and data-driven decision making are becoming
increasingly crucial in network testing operations.
The transition to EV-based testing not only
complies with emerging regulations but also offers
substantial environmental benefits, with potential
CO2 reductions of 60-98% depending on regional
electricity sources.
Organizations that embrace these changes and
adapt their testing procedures accordingly will be
better positioned to maintain and improve network
performance in an evolving technological landscape.
Organizations must consider both the technical
capabilities and environmental impact when
planning their testing operations.
6

Annexes
The following scenarios are theoretical examples designed to illustrate best practices in various testing
environments. While based on technical specifications and industry standards, they represent typical rather
than actual implementations.
Use case 1: Urban low emission zone (LEZ) testing
This theoretical scenario demonstrates testing procedures in restricted urban areas where EVs are the only
viable option:
Theoretical testing environment:
• Location type: Dense urban area with
LEZ restrictions
• Testing duration: Extended daily shifts
• Equipment: Compact mobile testing setup
• Testing schedule: Daytime and evening coverage
Typical testing parameters:
• Daily operation window: 14-hour shifts
• Coverage area: 40-50 km² per shift
• Vehicle requirements:
• Compact EV with minimum 250 km range
• Maneuverability for urban environment
• Low noise profile for residential areas
• Power configuration:
• Average equipment draw: 2.1kW
• Peak power requirement: 3.0kW
• Backup power capacity: 1.5kW
Network testing considerations:
• Dense urban coverage requirements
• High-rise building effects on signal
• Multiple carrier testing
• Small cell integration testing
Operational requirements:
• Access permits for restricted zones
• Noise level monitoring
• Extended testing hours capability
• Local regulation compliance
• Real-time data upload capacity
Testing implications:
• Need for efficient route planning in restricted areas
• Importance of quiet operation in residential zones
• Value of compact equipment setup
• Requirement for regular charging breaks
7

Use case 2: Nordics rural highway coverage testing
This theoretical scenario illustrates testing considerations for extensive rural coverage in challenging
weather conditions:
• Location type: Rural highway network
• Testing scope: Long-distance coverage verification
• Duration: Multi-day testing sequences
• Weather conditions: Severe winter environment
Typical operating parameters:
• Daily coverage: 300-400 km
• Vehicle requirements:
• Long-range EV (400+ km rated range)
• All-weather capability
• Extended battery thermal management
• Temperature range: -15°C to +5°C
• Equipment configuration:
• Full scanner and monitoring setup
• Redundant power systems
• Heated equipment enclosures
Network testing priorities:
• Highway coverage continuity
• Handover performance
• Emergency service availability
• High-speed mobility testing
Operational considerations:
• Weather impact on vehicle range
(up to 40% reduction)
• Charging station availability in rural areas
• Equipment temperature management
• Data backup requirements
• Emergency response plans
• Need for extensive route planning
• Importance of weather monitoring
• Value of thermal management systems
• Requirement for backup power systems
Points of attention:
• Critical impact of temperature on range
• Importance of redundant systems
• Value of detailed route planning
• Need for comprehensive safety protocols
8

Use case 3: High-traffic supercharger location testing
This theoretical scenario illustrates typical patterns at a busy fast-charging location:
• Location type: Highway-adjacent fast
charging station
• Testing duration: Multi-week monitoring period
• Equipment: Full 5G testing suite with
multi-carrier capability
• Testing schedule: 24/7 monitoring with focus on
peak periods
Typical usage patterns:
• Weekday peak hours (18:00-20:00):
• Estimated concurrent users: 8-12
• Theoretical peak data usage: 1.2TB per hour
• Typical session duration: 30-35 minutes
• Weekend peak hours (14:00-16:00):
• Estimated concurrent users: 15-20
• Theoretical peak data usage: 2.1TB per hour
• Typical session duration: 40-45 minutes
Network design considerations:
• Suggested minimum backhaul: 1.5 Gbps
• Recommended redundancy: Dual carrier connections
• Coverage target: -85 dBm RSRP minimum
• Design capacity: 25+ concurrent high-bandwidth
users
• Need for extended monitoring during peak periods
• Importance of redundant testing equipment
• Requirement for multiple test devices operating
simultaneously
• Value of automated testing sequences
9

Use case 4: Multi-brand charging hub testing
This scenario demonstrates testing considerations for a large-scale charging facility:
Theoretical facility profile:
• Location type: Urban charging hub
• Charging points: Multiple brands and
charging speeds
• Testing scope: Network capacity and
user experience
• Duration: Long-term performance monitoring
Typical daily patterns:
• Average daily charging sessions: 140-150
• Peak concurrent sessions: 15-20
• Network usage distribution:
• Video streaming platforms: ~45% of traffic
• Web browsing: ~25% of traffic
• Video conferencing: ~15% of traffic
• Gaming services: ~10% of traffic
• Miscellaneous applications: ~5% of traffic
Testing requirements:
• Multi-carrier testing capability
• Extended duration monitoring
• User experience simulation
• Capacity stress testing
Operational considerations:
• Need for 24/7 monitoring capability
• Equipment placement for optimal coverage
• Power management for testing equipment
• Data collection and analysis methods
Points of attention:
• Importance of testing during various times of day
• Need for multiple testing devices to simulate
concurrent users
• Value of automated testing sequences
• Requirement for comprehensive data analysis
These use cases highlight the complexity of testing requirements. They demonstrate how testing teams
must consider not only technical requirements but also usage patterns and user behavior when planning
their testing approaches.
10

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