The company describes the MD8430A as a base station simulator that can “build a simulated network necessary for the development of chipsets and devices.” It is connectable to a NTN device for GEO satellites, thereby making it possible to “test the connection with the NTN network and roaming between the terrestrial network and NTN network.”
Anritsu describes NTN NB-IoT as intended for areas not covered by terrestrial base stations. The technology is used in a variety of fields, including maritime shipping, logistics, mining, and automotive.
Speaking in a press release, a spokesperson said: “It enables a host of IoT devices to connect to the network with low power consumption. Current specification is 3GPP Release 17. With this functionality enhancement, Anritsu will help to improve the quality of NTN devices and contribute to the realisation of a prosperous network society.”
Moving onto its development, the spokesperson continued: “In the past, individual satellite operators have offered proprietary satellite communication services. However, since the standardisation of NTN communications in 3GPP Release 17, the satellite communication service market has rapidly grown, with various verifications based on the standard specifications becoming necessary.
“For GEO satellites, NTN device vendors need test environments that can simulate the communication delay over a distance of approximately 36,000 km between satellite and device. Satellites must also transmit information over this distance to the device for delay compensation.”
