The majority of IoT devices will use wireless technologies like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Zigbee, Thread or LP-WAN (Sigfox, LoRa) that are sharing frequencies in unlicensed bands. Some applications that require global coverage and/or mobility will focus on cellular technologies. Actually, mainly 2G and 3G technologies are used but the future will belong to 4G technologies like LTE-M, NB-IoT and emerging 5G-Technologies. All these technologies come with different RF characteristics, communication protocols and network architectures. Therefore testing of the overall communication behavior of wireless IoT devices is an important topic in order to ensure proper functionality as well as life-time quality and performance. For example the coexistence of multiple technologies operating in one device or in in areas with high radio usage like cars or living rooms is of great importance and therefore requires special attention in the design and validation processes. Moreover every device must be tested against the applicable regulations, standards and operator-specific requirements.
The presentation gives a short introduction in emerging wireless technologies for IoT, related test challenges and solutions.
Joerg Koepp, Rohde & Schwarz