5G NR mmWave Development (n257/n258)
5G New Radio millimeter-wave bands n257 (26.5-29.5 GHz) and n258 (24.25-27.5 GHz) deliver multi-gigabit data rates using wideband carriers up to 100 MHz and high-order modulation (256-QAM). The UTS7032A provides direct mmWave measurement capability—no external mixers required—enabling complete 5G transmitter characterization including EVM per 3GPP requirements, ACLR to -28 dBc specification, occupied bandwidth verification, and TDD switching transient capture with 100% POI guarantee.
Key measurements: EVM for 64-QAM through 256-QAM per 3GPP TS 38.104, ACLR verification to -28 dBc limits, occupied bandwidth across 50-100 MHz carriers, TDD uplink/downlink switching transients, channel power and EIRP.
Real-time bandwidth requirement: 5G mmWave uses 50-100 MHz carriers. The UTS7032A's 40 MHz standard RTSA handles 50 MHz carriers; upgrade to 160 MHz RTSA for complete 100 MHz carrier capture.
Ka-Band Satellite Communications (27.5-31 GHz)
Commercial Ka-band satellite systems use 27.5-31 GHz for uplink transmissions from VSAT terminals, broadband satellite internet (HughesNet, Viasat), and maritime/aviation satellite communications. The UTS7032A covers the complete Ka-band uplink range, enabling comprehensive terminal testing—transmit power and EIRP verification, carrier frequency accuracy (critical for transponder coordination), spectral regrowth and shoulder emissions, and high-order modulation quality (16APSK, 32APSK for DVB-S2X).
Bands covered: Ka-band uplink 27.5-31 GHz (29.5-30 GHz primary), Ka-band downlink 17.7-21.2 GHz (18.3-20.2 GHz primary), complete Ku-band 10.7-14.5 GHz.
Key measurements: Uplink EIRP verification, carrier frequency accuracy (<100 kHz tolerance), C/N ratio, modulation quality for DVB-S2/S2X, spectral mask compliance, adjacent transponder interference analysis.
28 GHz Fixed Wireless Access (FWA)
5G Fixed Wireless Access systems operate at 27.5-28.35 GHz (LMDS band in US, local multipoint distribution service) providing multi-hundred Mbps broadband to residential and business customers. The UTS7032A provides complete coverage of this allocation for FWA base station and customer premises equipment (CPE) development—output power verification, beam steering validation, interference analysis, and link budget measurements.
FWA characteristics: Point-to-multipoint architecture, beamforming and MIMO, typically 50-100 MHz channel bandwidths, high-order modulation for maximum spectral efficiency.
Critical measurements: Per-beam output power and EIRP, beam steering accuracy and null depth, adjacent channel leakage, receiver sensitivity and dynamic range.
Point-to-Point Microwave (28-32 GHz)
Licensed point-to-point microwave systems extend into the 28-32 GHz range for high-capacity backhaul, private networks, and infrastructure communications. The UTS7032A's extended coverage enables complete characterization of these millimeter-wave links—transmitter output power and spectral purity, receiver sensitivity, path loss measurement, and interference analysis—without frequency limitations or external downconverters.
Applications: Cellular backhaul for 5G densification, enterprise campus networks, utility communications (power grid monitoring and control), government and military tactical communications, broadcast studio-to-transmitter links.
