SGS : Changes to CTIA OTA Test Plan Certification in 2018 and 2019

Following the release of proposed changes to the CTIA OTA Test Plan, what new requirements must manufacturers meet to ensure continued compliance?

Companies wishing to gain access to the US market for wireless devices, such as smart phones, tablets and notebooks, must comply with the requirements for CTIA OTA Test Plan certification. CTIA is a trade organization representing the US wireless communications industry and is administrator of the PTCRB certification program for GSM, UMTS and LTE wireless devices. Testing to CTIA OTA Test Plan requirements is performed by CTIA Authorized Testing Laboratories (CATLs).

Established in 1997 by leading wireless operators, PTCRB is a certification organization that defines test specifications and methods to ensure device interoperability on global wireless networks. Its member operators are committed to ensuring device quality through a rigorous certification process. PTCRB certification is an indication that operators and device manufacturers are confident that a device is fully compatible with mobile networks. Products without PTCRB certification therefore run the risk of being blocked by wireless networks, who cannot be ensured of their interoperability.

Planned Changes to the CTIA OTA Test Plan

Stakeholders need to be aware of the planned changes to the OTA Test Plan and the dates they can expect them to be released and become mandatory.

Version 3.8 will be released in July 2018, with a mandatory date of November 2018. It is expected this version will contain several changes, including:

Changing from individual TIS (I-TIS) to combined TIS (C-TIS)

• Normative requirements for LTE Category M1
• HPUE TRP Testing
• MBS (Metropolitan Beacon System: 925.977 MHz)
• ZigBee (optional test procedure)
• Bluetooth and Bluetooth LE (optional test procedure)
• CA testing simplifications (including operator CA priority list)
• Normative Wrist-Worn Device Testing (LTE, LTE Cat. M1, and LTE A-GNSS)
• Alternate OTA test procedure for devices intended to operate at a very low transmit duty-cycle
• Addition of CA 70C for TRP and TIS Testing

Version 3.9 of the CTIA OTA SISO Test Plan has a proposed release date of November 2018, with a proposed mandatory date of March 2019. It is expected to cover:

• Cat M1 A-GNSS for VoLTE-capable devices (dependent on RAN5 progress)
• Category NB1
• Adding new bands:
  • 600 MHz Band (Band 71)
  • 3.5 GHz CBRS Band (Band 48: Band 42+Band 43)

• License Assisted Access (LAA) and additional 2DL and 3DL CA combinations
• 4CC/5CC CA utilizing 'Virtual SCell' approach
• Cellular desense due to Wi-Fi for IoT Devices
• IoT/M2M device definition (Appendix O)
• 3 to 6 GHz OTA testing (including representative phantoms)
• Test time reduction (e.g. use of TRP pattern for TIS for TDD protocols/bands, support of an operator-specific test scope, etc.)
• Reverb for non-MIMO testing other than large FF (Device Applicability FFS)

In addition, stakeholders should also be aware of the proposed timeline for 5G related work items below.

Ensuring Access to the US Market

Manufacturers of wireless devices should be aware of the proposed changes to CTIA certification that can be expected in the next two years. It is expected that mandatory dates for each of the test plan releases will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Currently there is no indication of dates for authorization of CATLs to the new releases. Stakeholders are therefore advised to check with a CTIA-approved third-party testing provider to ensure they remain ahead of the proposed changes and continue to have access to the US market.

SGS OTA Testing Services

SGS offers testing and certification services to help manufacturers and suppliers of wireless devices gain access to target markets around the world. With a global network of wireless testing laboratories, and experts who understand industry and carrier requirements, we are approved/certified to run the OTA requirements for many major carriers in the US and worldwide. Learn more about SGS's OTA testing services.

To learn more, contact:

Dr. Peter Liao
Global OTA Technical Leader
Wireless Laboratory
t: +886 2 2299 3279 ext. 1562