VERIFICATION
Procedure
Abstract
Outlines the procedures to read and verify the UE capabilities using the R&S CMW500 RF Tester
UE Capabilities verification using the R&S CMW500
Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2
Objective ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
Requirements................................................................................................................................................ 2
Procedure...................................................................................................................................................... 3
Step 1 – CMW500 Setup: .......................................................................................................................... 3
Step 2 – Perform an Attach: ...................................................................................................................... 4
Step 3 – Read the UE Capabilities from the CMW500: ............................................................................. 0
Supported Band List EUTRA .................................................................................................................. 0
Supported Band Combinations ............................................................................................................. 0
Appendix ....................................................................................................................................................... 3
Decoded RRC Messages samples .............................................................................................................. 3
UE Capabilities verification using the R&S CMW500
Introduction
UE Radio Access Capabilities information is sent over an RRC message in response to the RRC UE
Capability Enquiry request from the Network (eNB). This occurs during the initial registration procedure.
This information will be used by the Network for DRBs, MAC and PHY parameters configuration. The
Network indicates the RAT for which it is requesting the capabilities. An example of the content of both
messages, enquiry – response, can be found in the appendix of this document for reference purposes.
Why do we spend time verifying this? It is important verify the UE capabilities before spend time and
effort troubleshooting issues related to feature(s) which are not supported or yet enabled on the UE.
The trace of the RRC messages can be available from the device’s LOGs which are obtained using tools
like QXDM or alike. When such tools are not available to the tester, the following procedure can be used
instead.
Objective
The present document outlines the requirements and procedures to verify the UE capabilities using the
R&S CMW500 RF tester.
Requirements
- R&S CMW500 RF Tester
- RF cables and connectors (We assume this procedure is executed in conducted mode)
- R&S testing mode SIM card
- DUT with labeled RF ports.
UE Capabilities verification using the R&S CMW500
Procedure
As previously stated, the UE capabilities message is sent by the UE during RRC initial registration. The
basic idea, for the procedure outlined here, is to attach the DUT to the CMW500. The CMW will retrieve
the device’s capabilities information. The tester, then, will be able to verify and validate it.
NOTE: The following is an example. Values and parameters are for illustration purposes only.
Almost all the testing scenarios require the UE to perform an ATTACH procedure so, this step should be
straight forward.
Once you have set up the environment, turn on the CMW LTE Signaling module (eNB) then, power cycle
the UE or, perform an Airplane Mode (AM) ON/OFF switching for the UE to acquire the Network and
initiate the ATTACH procedure.
Under the “Event Log” section, there is a drop-down menu. Use it to select “UE capabilities” to display
the retrieved values bellow.
You can maximize this section (UE Capabilities) to navigate and explore each item.
The information provided by the UE is packed In RAT specific containers. In the example below, we breakdown some of the elements to illustrate
how to interpret them. We have focused in some of the LTE specific IEs. For a detailed list of the capabilities and their required values, refer to
the “AMX features compliance” document.
NOTE: The analysis of the information contained in the UE capabilities message must be contrasted against the results in the test cases executed
during the homologation process.
Rf-Parameters
Defines which E-UTRA radio frequency
bands are supported by the UE. For 1, 4, 28, 2, 7, 3, 5, 8, 12,
each band, support either half-duplex 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 41, 66.
supportedBandListEUTRA operation, or full-duplex operation is
LIST of AMX LTE designated bands Yes
Go to next section for The values listed here depend on the operator’s
indicated. For TDD, the half-duplex more details on this IE. available spectrum, allocation scheme by RAT, etc.
indication is not applicable.
* Refer to latest “AMX features compliance” document
Supported Band List EUTRA
Under RF parameters, you can verify the list of Supported Bands as displayed in Figure 4. The table’s
columns indicate the UE support for half duplex mode, 256QAM downlink modulation scheme and
64QAM for the uplink.
By default, the CMW500 shows only 5 entries in the table so, you’ll need to change the number to the
maximum allowed in order to see all the supported combinations the UE reports. In our case that
number is 47. Check out the Figure 5 for details.
By expanding the BW combination item, you’ll see a table like those in Figure 6 and Figure 7. The rows
represent the combination index, beginning from 0, and, the columns represent the CC index being the
first column the PCC, the second is the SCC and so on. The last column is the BW combination set. For
more detail on the
UE Capabilities verification using the R&S CMW500
Depending on how deep you want to analyze the information, you would like to explore the details as
displayed in the Figure 8. The table shows additional information for each CA band configuration case
like the BW Class (A, B, C, etc.).
Let’s check the case for combination index 16 and 17. Basically, the table states the following:
- Combination 16: Two component carriers (CCs), using band 17 and 4. MIMO 2x2 is supported in
both DL channels. Notice how Uplink channels is not aggregating more carriers. It uses only one
CC in band 17 bandwidth class A with no MIMO support.
- Combination 17: Two CCs. Just the same that in the previous combination. The difference is the
uplink carrier which uses band 4 instead band 17.
UE Capabilities verification using the R&S CMW500
Appendix
Decoded RRC Messages samples
NW UE
Interpreted PDU:
UE NW
Interpreted PDU:
As you can see, the container for EUTRA is very large. This is the result of an even more complex
technology like LTE. Look at the complete decoded text for more details in the following embedded file
UE-cap-decoded.txt