IoT devices based on NB-IoT technology will also encounter many challenges in the design and production process.

In 2017, the Internet of Things (IoT) marked its first year of commercialization. The Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) standard was officially frozen, and key players in the domestic market began their strategic layouts, while equipment manufacturers actively promoted the technology. This period laid the foundation for the rapid expansion of IoT commercial applications. However, similar to smartphones, IoT devices based on NB-IoT technology face numerous challenges during design and production—some are similar, Others are unique. These challenges include ensuring long-term reliability, managing power consumption, and meeting strict certification requirements. Keysight offers advanced testing tools that simulate real-world scenarios, enabling precise and repeatable lab measurements. These tools help engineers tackle seemingly impossible tasks, such as: - **Reliability**: IoT devices must operate continuously for years, often in harsh or remote environments with high installation and maintenance costs. - **Extended Coverage**: NB-IoT provides 20dB better coverage than traditional technologies like GPRS, with a coverage radius about four times larger. Devices may be located in remote or complex settings. - **Power Consumption**: Most IoT devices rely on batteries and cannot be easily updated. Long battery life is crucial. - **Certification Testing**: NB-IoT operates in licensed bands, requiring compatibility with existing networks and secure authentication mechanisms. It's clear that IoT engineers face significant challenges. To succeed, they must equip themselves with the right tools. Keysight’s comprehensive IoT test solutions offer powerful support, helping engineers understand and optimize their products effectively. **1. NB-IoT Data Transmission (Function) Test** A key difference between NB-IoT and other LPWA technologies is its operation in licensed bands, managed by operators. This leads to a cleaner spectrum environment and improved security. Before deployment, engineers need to verify that NB-IoT terminals can communicate effectively with base stations. Keysight’s UXM Base Station Simulator integrates multiple measurement functions into one instrument, allowing efficient verification of call setup, network configuration, and BLER testing. For extended coverage testing, it can evaluate sensitivity, synchronization performance under low SNR, blocking, and intermodulation effects, simulating various environmental conditions to understand fading channel characteristics. **2. Power Consumption and Battery Life Test** Most IoT applications require long-term operation, sometimes over 10 years. Therefore, power consumption is a critical factor. Engineers must test both functional and performance aspects of low-power modes. Keysight’s NB-IoT low-power test system supports operators and labs in evaluating power consumption across different operational states. It helps identify and debug power usage efficiently. Additionally, Keysight’s CX3300 current waveform analyzer delivers ultra-low power analysis with high bandwidth, enabling quick and accurate power feature extraction for chips and modules. For battery testing, Keysight’s BT2191A and BT2152 solutions significantly reduce self-discharge test time and provide accurate measurements of self-discharge current, essential for both IoT and power battery applications. **3. NB-IoT RF Test** RF signal quality is crucial for NB-IoT. Transmitter and receiver performance must be evaluated to ensure reliable communication. Keysight’s CXA N9000B series analyzers support tests like transmit power, occupied bandwidth, ACLR, and modulation analysis. Receiver sensitivity is also vital. Keysight’s tools help measure bit error rates and ensure compliance with standards like -108.2dBm at 95% throughput. **4. NB-IoT Conformance Test** Like traditional cellular devices, NB-IoT requires conformance testing by organizations like GCF and PTCRB. Keysight’s T4010S compliance system covers all required test cases, improving pass rates and accelerating time-to-market. **5. EMI Interference Test** Pre-compliance testing is essential to identify and resolve EMI issues early in the development cycle. Keysight’s tools enable engineers to detect interference sources, analyze their propagation paths, and optimize designs for better compliance. At EDICON 2018, Keysight will also discuss how to maximize ROI in testing and optimize capital and operating expenses. With Keysight’s solutions, engineers can confidently navigate the complexities of IoT development, ensuring reliable, efficient, and compliant products.

2.54mm Pitch

2.54mm Pitch

2.54mm Pitch

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