Anritsu In Collaboration With MediaTek Verifies Rel-17 Coverage Enhancement Testcases For 5G NR SA

Anritsu Corporation is proud to announce verification and support of 3GPP RAN5 Rel-17 NR Coverage Enhancement (CovEnh) testcases in collaboration with MediaTek using the M60 UE. This verification was conducted using Anritsu’s 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR.

As 5G services continue to expand across a wide variety of devices and deployment scenarios, maintaining reliable communication in challenging radio environments has become increasingly important, particularly where uplink coverage is the limiting factor. Release 17 Coverage Enhancements were introduced to address these conditions, enabling devices to maintain connectivity and transfer data more reliably at the cell edge, deep indoors, and in other weak-signal conditions without requiring increased transmit power or additional network infrastructure.

The solution introduces a number of mechanisms employing enhanced radio coverage procedures such as Msg3 repetition, enhanced PUSCH Repetition Type A, and Transport Block processing over Multiple Slots (TBoMS) to improve uplink robustness and extend effective 5G coverage, from initial access through to sustained data transfer at the cell edge.

Through this collaboration, Anritsu and MediaTek, Inc. are supporting the industry’s validation of Coverage Enhancement conformance and interoperability, helping accelerate commercial implementation of 3GPP Release 17 features.

“By enabling accurate verification of coverage-oriented functionality, Anritsu supports operators and device vendors in improving connection reliability and overall network efficiency, particularly in scenarios where radio conditions are poor,” said Yokoo Daizaburo, General Manager of Mobile Solutions Division at Anritsu. “We are proud that our collaboration with MediaTek supports the industry’s implementation and validation of new 5G features such as Release 17 Coverage Enhancements quickly and with confidence.”

The conformance tests are defined by 3GPP in TS 38.523-1. These tests have been submitted by Anritsu to 3GPP’s Radio Access Network Working Group 5 (RAN WG5). They are available on 3GPP RAN5 portal.

Product Outline
5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR
The 5G NR Mobile Device Test Platform ME7834NR is registered as Test Platform 251 with both the GCF and PTCRB.

This platform supports 3GPP-based Protocol Conformance Test (PCT) and Carrier Acceptance Testing (CAT) of mobile devices incorporating Multiple Radio Access Technologies. It covers 5G NR in both Standalone and Non-Standalone modes, along with LTE, LTE-Advanced, LTE-A Pro, W-CDMA and NTN. When paired with Anritsu’s OTA RF chamber MA8171A and RF converters, the ME7834NR supports testing in sub-6 GHz and millimeter wave (mmWave) 5G NR frequency bands.

About Anritsu
Anritsu Corporation, a global provider of innovative communications test and measurement solutions for 125 years. Anritsu’s philosophy engages customers as true partners to help develop wireless, optical, microwave/RF, and digital solutions for R&D, manufacturing, installation, and maintenance applications, as well as multidimensional service assurance solutions for network monitoring and optimization. Anritsu also provides precision microwave/RF components, optical devices, and high-speed electrical devices for communication products and systems. The company develops advanced solutions for 5G, M2M, IoT, as well as other emerging and legacy wireline and wireless communication markets. Headquartered in Japan, Anritsu has approximately 4,000 employees across its offices in the Americas, EMEA, Asia, and other regions worldwide. For more information, visit www.anritsu.com.