O V E R V I E W AN D T E S T C H AL L E N G E S

Martha Zemede

Senior Applications Engineer/Keysight Technologies

• What is dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS)?
• Review of LTE’s “always-on” signals and MBSFN subframe
• MBSFN = Multicast/Broadcast Single-Frequency
Network
• Review of 5G NR PDSCH Mapping
• DSS techniques and physical layer structure per 3GPP
Release 15 and 16
• DSS RF measurements plus demo
• Keysight signal generation and analysis solutions
• Summary

2
 eMBB mMTC URLLC
Mobile Broadband Massive Mission-Critical
Access Machine Communication Machine Communication

• 5G vision is one network for multiple use cases

• Coverage and capacity are important
• Needs spectrum across low, mid and high bands
• Low-bands for wide-area coverage
• Mid-bands for increased capacity
• High-bands for extreme capacity

Source for Spider Diagram: ITU: 5D/TEMP/390- E 3

 MHz Before 5G First 5G Future
• 5G FR1 introduction in mid-band, and few
in low band
launch
3500 5G 5G
• Most bands between 600 MHz and 2.6
GHz are re-farmed to LTE 2600 LTE LTE
• Re-farming from LTE to NR is not feasible 2100 3G+LTE LTE
– most traffic carried by LTE LTE/5G
• DSS allows 5G on existing 4G bands
1800 LTE LTE
without re-farming and with minimal impact 900 2G+3G 2G+3G
on existing services
800 LTE LTE LTE
700 LTE/5G LTE/5G
600 LTE/5G LTE/5G
4
• Coexistence between LTE and NR in the same carrier using spectrum sharing

Spectrum Sharing
Dynamic
Real
Network
“Dynamic” is the key Traffic

• The split between LTE and NR can be

changed at any time LTE-NR split is dynamically changed to match traffic requirements
• Advantages: Can adapt to traffic
demands; rollout is possible with a
NR
software upgrade
• Disadvantages: Scheduling complexity LTE

Freq
Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (LTE-NR)
time

5
• Backward Compatibility
• Sharing of LTE and NR must be transparent to LTE devices
• Legacy devices should work without any modification
• Consequences
• Coexistence mechanisms must use techniques currently available in LTE
• LTE transmission cannot be modified
• Cannot modify LTE-CRS, PDCCH, PBCH etc..
• NR transmission needs to be adapted in order to coexist with LTE

6
• Transmission subcarrier spacing:
• LTE uses 15 kHz subcarrier spacing
• NR can use 15 kHz or 30 kHz subcarrier spacing
• From network perspective LTE and NR share the
same time/frequency resources
• LTE+NR transmission must be decodable by a UE
• NR UEs decode NR from the combined signal
• LTE UEs decode LTE from the combined signal
• NR+LTE UEs decode both LTE and NR from the
combined signal

7
 Tsymb
• NR can be deployed using 30 kHz subcarrier spacing

15 kHz
15 kHz
subcarrier
• i.e. OFDM symbols are shorter Tsymb
Not Orthogonal

subcarrier
• NR at 30 kHz and LTE at 15 kHz are not orthogonal

15 kHz

30 kHz
15 kHz

30 kHz
subcarrier

frequency
subcarrier
30 kHz

30 kHz
Solutions Tsymb/2
time
• Guard-band Tsymb/2

• Separate 30 kHz and 15 kHz assignments in frequency

Guard-band
• The bigger the separation the less interference is introduced

guard-band
• Time Multiplexing

frequency
frequency
• Separate 30 kHz and 15 kHz transmissions in time time

frequency
Frequency Separation

frequency

frequency
time

Time Multiplexing (guard-band)

Initial deployment will be based on 15 kHz spacing. time time
time
The rest of the presentation will focus on that

8
Technique #1 = Rate-Matching Technique #2 = MBSFN Subframe
• Commonly used for NR-PRDSH using • Used when rate-matching is not possible, ex
15 kHz spacing
• NR SS/PBCH
• LTE has several “always-on” signals with
fixed time-frequency resource assignment • 30 kHz NR subcarrier spacing

• LTE transmission cannot be modified • Periodic signals such as TRS and CSI-RS

• NR only transmit over the unused LTE

resources

9
• What is dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS)?
• Review of LTE’s “always-on” signals and MBSFN subframe
• MBSFN = Multicast/Broadcast Single-Frequency Network
• Review of 5G NR PDSCH Mapping
• DSS techniques and physical layer structure per 3GPP
Release 15 and 16
• DSS RF measurements plus demo
• Keysight signal generation and analysis solutions
• Summary

10
 1 LTE subframe
1 NR
1 LTEslot (15 kHz)
subframe (1 ms)
• LTE UEs rely on the “always-on” LTE signals and channels: 1 NR1slot
ms(15 kHz)

• Control region (PDCCH, PCFICH and PHICH)

• CRS (Cell Reference Signals)
• PSS/SSS/PBCH (synchronization and broadcast)
• They are always present, cannot be turned off
• LTE-CRS and control region
• Span the entire cell BW

frequency
• During DSS, LTE transmissions cannot be interfered by NR time

transmissions LTE PDCCH/PCFICH/PHICH (1, 2 or 3 OFDM symbols)

LTE CRS (2 antennas)

LTE CRS (4 antennas)

Available resources for NR/LTE

11
• The LTE-CRS time-frequency structure is dependent on the number of antenna ports
• CRSs are defined for 1, 2 or 4 antenna ports, with unique mapping for each antenna port

• For one or two antenna ports, maximum of three empty symbols between CRS transmission
• For four antenna ports, two empty symbols between CRS transmission
Two antenna ports* Four antenna ports

LTE-CRS
1 RB (12 1 RB (12
subcarriers) subcarriers)

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
1 LTE subframe (14 symbols,1ms) 1 LTE subframe (14 symbols,1ms)

*The time domain allocations are the same as one antenna port
12
• Multicast/Broadcast Single-Frequency Network (MBSFN) transmission added in LTE Release 9
• MBSFN subframe is divided into two regions:
• Non-MBSFN region carries LTE-CRS and control region, same as the normal LTE subframe

• MBSFN region content depends on the usage of the subframe ex. DSS; data for LTE devices using TM 9 or 10
• No CRS transmission within the MBSFN region

• The following LTE subframes can be configured as MBSFN subframes:

• FDD: subframes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8

• TDD: subframes 3, 4, 7, 8 and 9 First slot Second slot

Non-MBSFN/Control
region (2 sym.)

MBSFN region
MBSFN Subframe

13
• What is dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS)?
• Review of LTE’s “always-on” signals and MBSFN subframe
• MBSFN = Multicast/Broadcast Single-Frequency Network
• Review of 5G NR PDSCH Mapping
• DSS techniques and physical layer structure per 3GPP
Release 15 and 16
• DSS RF measurements plus demo
• Keysight signal generation and analysis solutions
• Summary

14
PDSCH Mapping Type defines the time-domain structure of the PDSCH and DMRS symbols

Mapping Type A Mapping Type B

• DMRS is located in symbol 2 or 3 of the slot • DMRS located in the first symbol of the data
• DMRS location is relative to the slot boundary
allocation
• DMRS location is relative to where the data is located
• Slot based transmission
• Known by “mini-slot”

NR PDSCH DM-RS
NR PDSCH

15
 NR PDSCH DM-RS
NR PDSCH

• Mapping Type A dmrs-TypeA-Position = 2

Length = 9 symbols
• Starting symbol can be 0, 1, 2 or 3 in a slot dmrs-AdditionalPosition = 0
• Duration can be from 3 to 14 symbols in a slot
• DMRS symbol always occupies symbol 2 or 3
dmrs-TypeA-Position = 3
• Up to 3 additional DMRS symbols, in a slot Length = 14 symbols
dmrs-AdditionalPosition = 1

dmrs-TypeA-Position = 2
Length = 14 symbols
dmrs-AdditionalPosition= 3

16
 NR PDSCH DM-RS
• Mapping Type B NR PDSCH

• Starting symbol can be any position within a slot

• Duration can be 2, 4 or 7 OFDM symbols in a Starting symbol = 5
slot* Length = 2 symbols
• DMRS symbol is the first assigned symbol*
• One additional DMRS symbol in a slot

Starting symbol = 6
Length = 7 symbols
*3GPP Rel-16 updates for DSS use case: dmrs-AdditionalPosition = 1
• Duration extended to 9 and10 symbols
• DMRS symbol might not be the 1st assigned symbol
if it conflicts with LTE-CRS

17
• What is dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS)?
• Review of LTE’s “always-on” signals and MBSFN subframe
• MBSFN = Multicast/Broadcast Single-Frequency Network
• Review of 5G NR PDSCH Mapping
• DSS techniques and physical layer structure per 3GPP
Release 15 and 16
• DSS RF measurement plus demo
• Keysight signal generation and analysis solutions
• Summary

18
• Currently, 3GPP provides guidance for DSS -> leaves high
flexibility in the implementation
• As a consequence each vendor has its own proprietary
implementation
• Current specifications cover:
• LTE-CRS Rate-Matching patterns for NR PDSCH
• 7.5 kHz frequency shift for uplink
• Updates to PDSCH Type B for efficient use of available
resources (Rel-16)

19
Challenges: 1 LTE subframe (1 ms)
1 NR slot (15 kHz)

• LTE cell without user data is not empty

• How does a network insert 5G channels in
resources not used by LTE?
• How about around LTE’s “always-on” channels and
signals?

• We will cover how that is done for the following

channels:

frequency
• NR PDSCH time

• NR SS/PBCH LTE PDCCH/PCFICH/PHICH (1, 2 or 3 OFDM symbols)

LTE CRS (2 antennas)

• NR PDCCH LTE CRS (4 antennas)

Available resources for NR/LTE

20
Technique #1 = Rate-Matching Technique #2 = MBSFN Subframe
- Used for NR 15 kHz subcarrier spacing - Used when rate-matching is not possible, ex:
- Used for NR data, PDSCH - NR SS/PBCH
- 3GPP has explicit LTE-CRS Rate-Matching - 30 kHz NR subcarrier spacing
patterns defined for NR PDSCH
- Periodic signals such as TRS and CSI-RS
- Not used for PDSCH-DMRS
- NR SS/PBCH cannot be rate-matched
- Can be used for other channels, but no explicit
patterns defined in 3GPP

21
• Network provides “RateMatchPatternLTE-CRS” information to NR UE regarding the LTE-CRS
• Based on this information, the NR UE ignores the LTE-CRS resource elements (REs) when
decoding the NR PDSCH

Rate-Match Pattern LTE-CRS Description

Carrier Frequency DL 0 to 16383 Subcarrier offset between NR Ref Point A and
center of the LTE channel bandwidth
Carrier bandwidth DL n6, n15, n25, n50, n75, n100 LTE channel bandwidth in # of PRBs
MBSFN Subframe 1 to 8 instances of EUTRA- LTE subframes configured for MBSFN
Config List MBSFN-SubframeConfig
Number of CRS-Ports n1, n2, n4 # of LTE-CRS antenna ports to rate match around
v-Shift n0, n1, n2, n3, n4, n5 Frequency domain position of CRS within an LTE
RB
3GPP Ref TS 38.214, TS 38.331

22
 NR Rate-Matching Pattern LTE Transmission – 2port
LTE Control Symbols

Resource element
Resource element
LTE-CRS

NR PDCCH

NR PDSCH DMRS

NR PDSCH Using Mapping Type A NR PDSCH

Empty 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Reserv ed 1 rate matching pattern

• NR starts after LTE control region (Resource element granularity)

Type-A (0 DMRS addPos)

NR PDSCH Transmission NR with Rate Matching LTE + NR Transmission
• NR PDSCH does not transmit on resource
elements reserved for LTE-CRS
• Only applies to data (i.e. DMRS cannot be rate-
matched or puctured)

Freq
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Time

Type-A (2 DMRS addPos) Type-A (1 DMRS addPos)

Restriction
• NR DMRS cannot be transmitted in the

Freq
same symbol as LTE-CRS 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Time With “Alternative DMRS location”
• E.g. PDSCH Mapping Type-A with 2 or 3
additional DMRS positions are not possible
Freq

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
Time
23
• “Alternative DMRS location” avoids collision LTE Control Symbols
of an additional DMRS with LTE-CRS LTE-CRS

Type-A (1 DMRS addPos)

• Moves DMRS from Symbol 11 to 12 NR PDCCH
NR PDSCH DMRS

• Applies under the following conditions: NR PDSCH

• 15 kHz subcarrier spacing

• PDSCH Mapping Type A with 13 or 14 symbols
• dmrs-TypeA-Position = 3
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
• dmrs-AdditionalPostition = 1
1 Slot (14 symbols)
• It is a UE capability
• The UE needs to notify the network it Alternative DMRS location moves the additional 5G PDSCH DMRS
supports this feature position to Symbol #12 (from Symbol #11) because there is LTE-
CRS on Symbol #11.

24
- Used for NR PDSCH
- For NR 15 kHz subcarrier spacing

- LTE-CRS Rate-Matching patterns defined by 3GPP

- Not used for PDSCH-DMRS
- Can be used for other channels, but no explicit patterns defined in 3GPP

25
SS/PBCH time domain mapping locations for FR1:
1 Subframe (1 ms)
1st SS/PBCH Block 2nd SS/PBCH Block
Case A
15 kHz L=4
≤ 3 GHz 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

1st SS/PBCH Block 2nd SS/PBCH Block 3rd SS/PBCH Block 4th SS/PBCH Block
Case B
30 kHz L=8
> 3 GHz (FR1)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

1st SS/PBCH Block 2nd SS/PBCH Block 3rd SS/PBCH Block 4th SS/PBCH Block
Case C
30 kHz L=8
> 3 GHz (FR1)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

When using 15 kHz for SS/PBCH, we need a minimum of four empty symbols between LTE-CRSs. WHY?
• SS/PBCH Block spans 4 OFDM symbols in the time domain
• SS/PBCH must avoid all resources occupied by LTE CRS
• SS/PBCH is not rate-matched – will affect synchronization

26
 1 LTE Radio Frame = 10 Subframes = 10 ms 1 LTE Radio Frame = 10 Subframes = 10 ms

SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF SF
#0 #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #0 #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9

Two LTE-CRS antenna ports Four LTE-CRS antenna ports

Resource Elements (REs)

LTE-CRS

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

1 subframe (1 ms) 1 subframe (1 ms)

Case A
15 kHz L=4
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Case B
30 kHz L=8
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Case C
30 kHz L=8
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

27
 NR operating SS Block SCS SS Block pattern Range of GSCN
band (note) (First – <Step size> – Last)
5279 – <1> – 5419
• For FR1, large percentage of the n1
n2
15 kHz
15 kHz
Case A
Case A 4829 – <1> – 4969
4517 – <1> – 4693
operating bands use 15 kHz subcarrier n3 15 kHz
15 kHz
Case A
Case A 2177 – <1> – 2230
n5
spacing for SS/PBCH 30 kHz Case B 2183 – <1> – 2224
n7 15 kHz Case A 6554 – <1> – 6718
2318 – <1> – 2395
• Using 15 kHz spacing (Case A), ALL n8
n12
15 kHz
15 kHz
Case A
Case A 1828 – <1> – 1858
SS/PBCHs conflict with LTE-CRS n20 15 kHz Case A 1982 – <1> – 2047
n25 15 kHz Case A 4829 – <1> – 4981
n28 15 kHz Case A 1901 – <1> – 2002
n34 15 kHz Case A 5030 – <1> – 5056
n38 15 kHz Case A 6431 – <1> – 6544
Solution for 15 kHz spacing: n39 15 kHz Case A 4706 – <1> – 4795
n40 15 kHz Case A 5756 – <1> – 5995
15 kHz Case A 6246 – <3> – 6717
1. Use MBSFN Subframe n41
30 kHz Case C 6252 – <3> – 6714
n50 15 kHz Case A 3584 – <1> – 3787
n51 15 kHz Case A 3572 – <1> – 3574
15 kHz Case A 5279 – <1> – 5494
n66
30 kHz Case B 5285 – <1> – 5488
n70 15 kHz Case A 4993 – <1> – 5044
n71 15 kHz Case A 1547 – <1> – 1624
n74 15 kHz Case A 3692 – <1> – 3790
n75 15 kHz Case A 3584 – <1> – 3787
n76 15 kHz Case A 3572 – <1> – 3574
n77 30 kHz Case C 7711 – <1> – 8329
n78 30 kHz Case C 7711 – <1> – 8051
n79 30 kHz Case C 8480 – <16> – 8880
NOTE: SS Block pattern is defined in section 4.1 in TS 38.213 [10].
Ref. TS 38.104 Table 5.4.3.3-1: Applicable SS raster entries per operating band (FR1)
28
 LTE Transmission – MBSFN Subframe

Resource blocks (RBs)

• Two SS/PBCH blocks fit within an LTE Control symbols

MBSFN subframe LTE-CRS MBSFN region

NR SS/PBCH (empty)
• LTE- FDD: subframes 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8
can be configured as MBSFN

• Other NR transmissions can also use Non-MBSFN

this region region

NR SS/PBCH Transmission, 15 kHz LTE + NR Transmission

(Ex. Subframe #1) (Ex. MBSFN Subframe #1)

Resource blocks (RBs)

SSB SSB SSB
SSB
Index 3 Index #2 Index #3
Index 2

Freq
NR SSB symbols within subframe #1 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Time

29
• Cannot collide with LTE-CRS and control channels LTE PDCCH/PCFICH/PHICH

LTE-CRS

• NR allows PDCCH to be transmitted in any symbol NR PDSCH DMRS

NR PDSCH Data

• LTE normal subframes NR PDCCH

• NR PDCCH is transmitted in symbols between LTE-

CRS LTE Normal Subframe LTE MBSFN Subframe

Resource Elements (REs)

• LTE MBSFN subframes
• NR PDCCH can be transmitted anywhere in the
MBSFN region of the subframe

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

30
 7.5 kHz

• Main area for DSS in NR uplink is Half-Subcarrier Shift LTE

• For 15 kHz spacing, LTE and NR orthogonality is
maintained if subcarriers are aligned in frequency NR
• LTE introduces a 7.5 kHz frequency shift in the UL

• NR by default does not introduce this frequency shift DC

15 kHz
subcarrier Not orthogonal
• NR update for DSS:
7.5 kHz
• 7.5 kHz frequency shift added for the uplink
LTE
• It is configurable since it is only needed when NR UL is NR+7.5 kHz
coexisting with LTE UL

• Only used for NR at 15 kHz since at 30 kHz, it is already not

orthogonal with LTE
15 kHz DC
subcarrier Orthogonal

31
32
 • NR PDSCH Type B extended to 9 and 10 symbol length for DSS (from maximum of 7)
• The positions of the DMRS are defined not to collide with symbols containing LTE-CRS

• Extend configuration of LTE-CRS rate matching patterns

• Support multiple LTE carriers within an NR carrier

3GPP Rel-15: Mapping B with Maximum of 7 symbols 3GPP Rel-16: Mapping B with 9 and 10 symbols

Keysight N7631C Signal Studio Pro for 5G NR and 89600 VSA software support 3GPP Rel-16 DSS enhancements

33
 N R P D S C H T Y P E B 9 / 1 0 S Y M B O L – 1 5 k H Z U S E C AS E

• Rel-15 Issue 3GPP Release 15

LTE Control Symbols
• NR PDSCH cannot use all available symbols in the slot LTE-CRS

• Situation NR PDCCH
NR PDSCH DM-RS
• NR PDCCH on 3rd & 4th symbol NR PDSCH
• Mapping Type A not possible Empty
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
• PDSCH Type B cannot start at symbol 4 Type B length 7 symbols
• DMRS must be front-loaded and will collide with LTE-CRS
• Max length for Type B is 7 symbols; the last two 3GPP Release 16
symbols cannot be utilized.
• Rel-16 Solution The goal is to utilize all
available symbols in the slot
• PDSCH Mapping Type B of length 9 and 10 and avoid collisions between
• PDSCH Type B data start at symbol 4; DMRS moved to PDSCH and LTE-CRS
symbol #5
• DMRS doesn’t have to be front-loaded for this use case 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Type B length 10 symbols

34
• What is dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS)?
• Review of LTE’s “always-on” signals and MBSFN subframe
• MBSFN = Multicast/Broadcast Single-Frequency Network
• Review of 5G NR PDSCH Mapping
• DSS techniques and physical layer structure per 3GPP
Release 15 and 16
• DSS RF measurements plus demo
• Keysight signal generation and analysis solutions
• Summary

35
 RF test requirements are not defined by 3GPP, flexible tools are required

Challenges:
• 4G and 5G systems must be synchronized in both the time and frequency domains
• Otherwise causes resource block misalignment between LTE and NR

• Very fast coordination rate is used between the LTE and NR packet schedulers
• Adds risk to allocate same resources
• Scheduler must ensure which band the NR UE supports the use of symbol 12 instead of symbol 11 for
the additional DMRS (PDSCH Mapping Type A), otherwise causes high BLER

Test solution:
• Flexible solution supporting DSS with parallel measurements of LTE and NR
• Needed to validate functional design and real-world operating tests

36
• Verify LTE and NR signals can be separated from the combined signal
• Check for successful synchronization of LTE and NR signals with high sync correlation

• Verify LTE performance is not impacted by the DSS implementation

• Check for low EVM and pass the CRC checking

• Verify the NR SS/PBCH transmission, using MBSFN subframe, is successful

• Check for low EVM and pass the CRC checking

• Verify the rate-matching pattern is implemented correctly on the NR-PDSCH

• Check for low EVM and pass the CRC checking

37
8 9 6 0 0 V S A “ M U LT I - M E AS U R E M E N T S ”

Shared acquisition: LTE

and NR acquired at once
Synchronous Simultaneous capture and
Acquisition parallel measurement of
LTE and NR

Measurement
List

Meas01 = NR Meas02 = LTE

38
8 9 6 0 0 V S A “ M U LT I - M E AS U R E M E N T S ”

PathWave Vector Signal Analysis (89600 VSA)

Measurement:
NR Modulation
analysis LTE
NR

Measurement:
LTE Modulation
analysis

LTE + 5G Signal analyzer Measurements • Truly simultaneous; able to

DSS acquires the signal processed observe interactions
signal simultaneously • Side-by-side results

Keysight 89600 VSA software can perform multiple measurements, of all technologies, in parallel

39
 Signal Studio for waveform creation:
N7631C – 5G NR
N7624C – LTE/LTE-A FDD
Keysight VXG
Signal Generator

89600 VSA for signal analysis: Keysight UXA

89601BHNC – 5G NR Signal Analyzer
89601BHGC – LTE/LTE-A FDD

40
 V E R I F Y C R S R AT E - M AT C H I N G P AT T E R N

Scenario – PDSCH Mapping A

• LTE transmission with MBSFN subframes (Subframe #1)
• NR at 15 kHz; NR PDSCH on LTE subframes #1, #2, #3, using LTE-CRS rate matching pattern
• NR SS/PBCH transmitted in LTE MBSFN subframe (Subframe #1)
• NR and LTE combined using MSR capability of N7624C Signal Studio for LTE/LTE-A

Keysight N7631C Signal Studio Pro for 5G NR Keysight N7624C Signal Studio Pro for LTE/LTE-A
“RateMatchPatternLTE-CRS”
parameters.

LTE-CRS locations shown LTE Subframe 1, 2 & 3 reserved for NR. No data,
within the 5G NR application only CRS and control.

LTE-CRS locations shown as white bars. SS/PBCH in MBSFN

Subframe (SF #1); PDSCH and PDCCH in SF 1, 2 & 3 LTE-MBSFN subframe (SF #1). Empty, no CRS

41
 Meas 01: 5G NR Meas 02: LTE

• One acquisition
• Simultaneous
measurements, each
with user-selectable:
- freq/span settings
- meas./demod. setups
- trace type(s)

89600 VSA DSS screen capture showing simultaneous demod of 5G NR and LTE on the same carrier

42
 ~100% sync
correlation for both
NR and LTE
indicate the 89600
VSA separated the
combined LTE and
NR signal and
locked to each
separately. We can
LTE Sync correlation: 99.7% also see that in a
NR Sync correlation: 99.6% Sync source = P-SS low EVM of the
Sync source = PSS, SSS Sync signals.

The constellations
~ 1%EVM for LTE P-SS/S-
and EVM metrics
SS/PBCH
~0.1% EVM for NR SS/PBCH:
of the other
MBSFN transmission is channels show
successful! problem with the
transmitted signal
43
 Gray color is LTE
though identified as
“inactive” because we
are in 5G NR mode
Orange color is 5G NR;
Cyan is LTE-CRS. LTE- LTE-CRS is transmitted across
CRS is identified within the full frame; 5G NR
5G NR mode occupying 3 subframes

• 3D power plot shows the power of all the 5G NR channels and LTE-CRS are identified by
transmitted signals channel type as shown by the colors
• This confirms both LTE and NR channels are
transmitted at the same power levels.
44
 The allocations
match the
LTE Allocation Trace shows
LTE SF #1 is MBSFN. No
LTE SFs #2 & 3 only have transmitted signal
LTE-CRS and Control. NR
CRS (i.e. cyan color bars). NR PDSCH is rate-matched
SS/PBCH is transmitted here in these SFs.

The rest of the LTE SFs

are used for LTE

NR Allocation
Trace shows NR
occupying 3 SFs
(SF1, 2 & 3)
The overlaid trace shows the
full 10 MHz radio frame
occupied by LTE and NR

45
C O U P L I N G M E AS U R E M E N T S

Key findings:
• Error vector traces show
the symbol with highest
EVM
• Coupling marker across
measurements pinpoint
LTE EVM vs. Time where the error is and
Trace: Peak EVM is on what channel/signal it
Symbols with CRS
corresponds to
NR EVM vs. Time Trace: Coupling
marker between LTE and NR show the • Error is caused by LTE-
Error is on PDSCH-DMRS symbol (Sym CRS colliding with
#11 of each slot (LTE-CR), colliding with PDSCH-DMRS
LTE-CRS also transmitted on same
symbol
Marker table provide detail
information about the
channel/signal type, symbol #,
subcarrier #, EVM plus more

46
 • The transmitter applied
“additionalDMRS-DL-Alt”
to move the NR PDSCH-
DMRS to Symbol #12
(from #11)
NR PDSCH-DMRS (green • Successful demodulation
color) moved to Symbol
#12 of each Slot with 0.14 %/ 0.17% EVM
for 5G NR/LTE

Needs to be enabled
on the 89600 VSA

47
EVM of each channel is
very low
• Does the PDSCH rate-matching with LTE-
CRS affect the channel coding?
• Does the SS/PBCH transmission in the
LTE-MBSFN subframe affect the channel
coding?
• 89600 VSA provides channel decoding with:
• CRC pass/fail information for all channels
• All messages carried on the PBCH
CRC passes for all • All information carried on the PDCCH
channels

48
 Marker showing LTE-CRS power
• 3D traces are
3D Power 3D EVM best suited as a
visualization tool
NR-PDSCH
• You can rotate
the 3D model,
zoom in and
NR 3D Power plot also out, and pan to
measures LTE-CRS
transmitted across the view a particular
full frame (Cyan color) element of the
component
carrier.
• Marker coupling
with other traces
RE Power 3D: 3D Resource Element Power with Error Vector 3D: 3D Error Vector Spectrum and
Symbols on the X axis, Carriers on the Y axis, and Error Vector Time with Carriers on the X axis,
Power on the Z axis Symbols on the Y axis, and EVM on the Z axis

49
• What is dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS)?
• Review of LTE’s “always-on” signals and MBSFN subframe
• MBSFN = Multicast/Broadcast Single-Frequency
Network
• Review of 5G NR PDSCH Mapping
• DSS techniques and physical layer structure per 3GPP
Release 15 and 16
• DSS RF measurements plus demo
• Keysight signal generation and analysis solutions
• Summary

50
 LTE-CRS Power within
• Simultaneous measurement of LTE and NR 5G NR 3D Power plot

• Requires LTE and NR license

• 3GPP Rel-16 enhancements

• PDSCH rate matching around LTE CRS
• Normal and MBSFN LTE subframes
supported
• 5G NR 15 kHz subcarrier spacing
• Alternative DMRS location when additional
DMRS is enabled
• Measure LTE-CRS power within 5G NR
mode
• Coupling of markers across different measurements, traces and
domains
• Transport layer channel decoding with CRC pass/fail
• 3D Power and 3D EVM traces for best visualization
51
• New “LTE Coexistence” added to N7631C NR DL • 3GPP Rel-16 enhancements:
carrier
• Four sets of LTE-CRS rate matching
• LTE-CRS rate matching per 3GPP definition
• PDSCH Type B extended to 9 and 10 symbol length
• 5G NR 15 kHz subcarrier spacing
• Part of N7631C 2020 Update 1.0 – July 2020
• MBSFN subframe configuration
• RE Resource Mapping graph showing LTE-CRS RE
allocations
• Relative frequency between NR and LTE from center
is displayed
• Combine 5G NR and LTE waveforms using MSR
feature in LTE Signal Studio
• Import 5G NR waveform (.wfm) to N7624C/N7625C
Signal Studio with version 2019 Update 1.0 or later
• Requires N7624C/N7625C license

52
Free 30-day
Trial License Keysight VXG Signal
Generator
www.keysight.com/find/vxg
PathWave Signal Generation
www.keysight.com/find/signalstudio

Keysight UXA Signal

Free 30-day Analyzer
Trial License www.keysight.com/find/uxa

PathWave Vector Signal Analysis VXG and X-Series Signal Analyzers –

(89600 VSA) a powerful combination for 5G
www.keysight.com/find/vsa

53
D S S A N D R AT E M AT C H I N G

NR Configuration for LTE

LTE MBSFN Configuration
CRS Rate Matching

The world’s most powerful and integrated 5G network emulator

54
 D S S F I E L D M E AS U R E M E N T – V E R I F Y C APAC I T Y

Nemo Outdoor + 5G smartphone • Understand DSS

overhead impact on
DSS enabled live network capacity
Nemo post
5G Network • Verify spectrum
processing tools
for analysis sharing between LTE
and 5G
• Verify total spectrum
utilization (spectral
efficiency)
• Verify that the
overhead is not more
than expected as per
the 3GPP
specifications
Nemo Handy SW running on 5G smartphone • Verify mobility and
handovers
55
• What is dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS)?
• Review of LTE’s “always-on” signals and MBSFN subframe
• MBSFN = Multicast/Broadcast Single-Frequency Network
• Review of 5G NR PDSCH Mapping
• DSS techniques and physical layer structure per 3GPP
Release 15 and 16
• DSS RF measurements plus demo
• Keysight signal generation and analysis solutions
• Summary

56
• DSS is a powerful feature for network operators
• Allows deploying NR using already available spectrum

• Allows progressive deployment of NR services with limited impact to existing LTE users

• Can dynamically control the amount of spectrum dedicated to LTE or NR

• DSS is backward compatible with existing LTE devices

• DSS techniques can be applied with current LTE devices in the market
• LTE techniques rely on already existing tools (e.g. MBSFN subframes, network scheduling, etc.)

• Specific features introduced in NR to avoid interfering with LTE

• LTE not modified to maintain backward compatibility

• Improvements are coming in Rel-16 to remove some inefficiencies in NR Rel-15

• Keysight provides a comprehensive set of DSS measurement solutions covering signal generation, signal
analysis, UE emulation, network emulation and outdoor drive test solutions

57
Javier Campos, of Keysight Technologies, is a key technical contributor to this webcast.

To learn more about 5G NR PHY layer, refer to one of his 5G webinars:

• Understanding the 5G NR Physical Layer
https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2057309/B9D2488170B972C033A5133B43B26D8F?partnerref=weblinkreferralKEE394

• Completing Rel-15 of 5G NR Physical Layer

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2057307/7A66358A56EF816F575D6AE6E1BA44CC?partnerref=weblinkreferralKEE394

• Introducing Rel-16 of the 5G NR Physical Layer

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2057303/4A7208303B0001DF78E31536AD139E03?partnerref=weblinkreferralKEE394

• Dissecting Rel-16 of the 5G NR Physical Layer

https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/2187496/4484894CBFC24E8CEA9CF6D035B5B037?partnerref=weblinkreferralKEE394

58