Keysight partners with Qualcomm to set up 5G NTN network

Keysight Technologies Inc. has collaborated with Qualcomm Technologies Inc. to establish an end-to-end 5G non-terrestrial network (NTN) connection. Keysight and Qualcomm Technologies aim to accelerate 5G NTN technology to provide affordable broadband connectivity in remote areas.

 

5G NTN deployments can provide critical health, safety, and financial benefits to rural populations while improving economic conditions for industrial sectors such as agriculture, energy, health, and transportation.

 

Cao Peng, Vice President and General Manager for Keysight’s Wireless Test Group, said, “Together with Qualcomm Technologies, Keysight is making significant leaps in digitally connecting the world’s unconnected areas where deploying terrestrial cellular networks is not a viable option. Keysight is excited to provide industry-first emulation capabilities to Qualcomm Technologies, enabling the world-leading wireless technology innovator to comprehensively address a wide range of complexities that arise as advanced space and terrestrial technologies are combined onto a single modem platform.”

 

Based on modelling constellations of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, the end-to-end 5G NTN connection was made in Qualcomm Technologies’ San Diego laboratory by combining Keysight’s 5G base station and aerospace emulation solutions with a Qualcomm Technologies 5G mobile test platform (MTP).

 

The Qualcomm Technologies MTP is a smartphone reference design that acts as a proven test device for implementing and verifying the most advanced features available from Qualcomm Technologies research labs. The collaboration enables device makers to speed development and verification of 3GPP Release 17 compliant designs.

 

Tingfang Ji, Vice President of Engineering at Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., said, “Our research with Keysight drives many innovations with significant positive impact across a multitude of sectors that rely upon robust wireless connectivity. We are pleased to leverage Keysight’s expertise in 5G emulation platforms to help the validation of our research and development for satellite-driven 5G NTN communications.”