Complex wireless technologies underpin the internet of things and fifth and sixth generation (5G and 6G) mobile networks. These ‘new radio’ technologies require improved underpinning documentary wireless standards for the radio signals, the systems, the transmission environments used, and the radio frequency exposures created. Current challenges faced by the telecommunications sector include a lack of accurate, fast, low-cost, and traceable methods for manufacturers to demonstrate that 5G/6G product verifications match customer specifications. This project aims to develop the practical and efficient measurement methods required to enable normative standards to better match rapidly emerging radio technologies for 5G/6G product and system over-the-air testing, for wireless channels up to sub-THz, and for radio frequency exposure assessment.

The specific objectives are:

• New Radio Over-the-Air Metrology (WP1): To develop traceable cost-effective NR over-the-air measurements to 30 GHz for: (i) new radio over-the-air system performance evaluation of sub-6 GHz and mm-wave MIMO systems with consideration where feasible of RTS, MPAC and RC+CE based methods taking into account ETSI TR 38.827 requirements; (ii) new radio over-the-air RF parametric conformance measurements of sub-6 GHz MIMO and mm-wave massive-MIMO systems using selected power-related parameters (e.g. TRP, EIRP) with uncertainty evaluations with consideration where feasible of DFF, IFF, NF-FF, mid-field and RC methods taking into account ETSI TR 38.810 and TS 38.141-2 requirements. In addition, to evaluate the methods via international comparison exercises.
• Radio Propagation Metrology for Wide-bandwidth Communications up to sub-THz (WP2): To characterise the complex real-world sub-THz wide-bandwidth radio propagation channel suitable for the planning of short/medium-range wireless communication and active services operating up to 750 GHz for practical realization for 5G/6G communications by: (i) the development, and verification of three traceable channel sounding testbeds (operating up to 330 GHz, 550 GHz and 750 GHz respectively), (ii) the performance comparison of these testbeds with the results added to an open access database and (iii) the validation of the test beds via channel modelling, and potentially using novel approaches based on band stitching techniques and optical cable solutions.
• Traceable and Efficient new radio RF exposure metrology (WP3): To develop and evaluate measurement protocols to quantify RF exposure levels from 5G base stations based on measuring PD exposure and from 5G mobile phones in terms of SAR and Absorbed Power Density measurements, including traceability. This will include (i) developing a measurement methodology for measuring PD exposure levels of 5G new radio base stations for incorporation into Good Practice Guidance and for submission to, e.g. IEC 62232, and IEC 62669 for their consideration as an input to Technical Specifications and (ii) developing a standardised measurement procedure for the quantification of RF exposure in terms of SAR and Absorbed Power Density measurements of 5G new radio mobile phones suitable for submission to international standardisation bodies, e.g. CENELEC CLC/TC 106X, and IEC TC106 MT3 for their consideration as an input to standards.
• Creating impact (WP4): To contribute to the standards development work of the technical committees of the relevant standards developing organisations, e.g. CENELEC CLC/TC 106X, IEEE 802.15 SC THz, 3GPP and ETSI ISG mWT and to ensure that the outputs of the project are aligned with their measurement needs, communicate quickly to those developing the standards and to those who will use them (e.g. the telecommunications industry), and in a form that can be incorporated into the standards at the earliest opportunity.

At this workshop you will hear results to date from this 3-year project, viewpoints from leading industry speakers and have the opportunity to speak with the project scientists.

Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

For all NPL events we aim to accommodate specific needs and personal circumstances, but are reliant on individuals sharing this information with us. If you have any specific requirements or adjustments to support your attendance (whether in person or virtual), please do let us know by emailing events@npl.co.uk, so that we can discuss how we can best support you. Any information shared will be confidential and deleted after the event.