Partnership to advance NTN OTA testing for 3GPP mobile and IoT devices

Microwave Vision Group (MVG) and Anritsu have announced a joint testing solution supporting OTA validation of NTN communications for Mobile and IoT devices. MVG has adapted its multi-probe OTA systems to incorporate the capabilities of Anritsu's Radio Communication Analyzer MT8821C, providing a lab-based environment for realistic satellite link emulation in compliance with 3GPP requirements.

As NTN deployments gain momentum, particularly through LEO satellite constellations, Mobile and IoT devices must now show robust performance under conditions that differ significantly from terrestrial operation. These include Doppler shift due to satellite motion, increased signal propagation delays, complex network reselection mechanisms between satellite and ground networks, and roaming across regulatory domains. Emulating these variables accurately in the lab is vital to ensure device readiness and reduce dependency on field trials.

To address this challenge, MVG has configured its OTA systems, such as the SG system and StarLab, to host Anritsu's MT8821C as the core signal generation and analysis platform. The MT8821C, widely recognised for its reliability in LTE and IoT testing, brings advanced RF and protocol capabilities into MVG's controlled OTA measurement environments. This permits manufacturers to evaluate critical metrics such as Total Radiated Power (TRP), Total Isotropic Sensitivity (TIS), and receiver sensitivity under satellite-like test conditions.

MVG's OTA product manager, Sebastien Gaymay, highlights a crucial benefit: "By adapting our test chambers to operate with the MT8821C, we're giving R&D teams the ability to emulate key NTN communication scenarios directly in the lab. This enables earlier debugging and faster development cycles for satellite-capable Mobile and IoT devices."

The MT8821C supports a wide frequency range and supplies stable, high-throughput RF testing for LTE, LTE-Advanced, Cat-M1, and NB-IoT terminals. Within the MVG system, it enables synchronised measurements through WaveStudio software, enabling test engineers to simulate and assess device performance under realistic NTN conditions aligned with 3GPP TS 36.521-4.

Toshiya Otowa, manager of Solution Marketing Department, Mobile Solutions Division at Anritsu, says, "Thanks to our collaboration with MVG, we are now able to conduct testing of NTN-compatible mobile and IoT devices under conditions that closely resemble real-world environments. Thereby, we are pleased to contribute to the realisation of a truly connected society enabled by NTN technology, where connectivity is available anytime, anywhere."

This solution is ideal for OEMs and integrators working on global asset tracking, remote monitoring, and industrial IoT applications – areas where NTN networks will be key to expanding coverage. It also facilitates testing against network specifications such as those defined by Skylo, helping vendors verify performance and readiness for deployment on commercial NTN services.