A Pathway on 5G EMC Testing: A Tutorial

Abstract

The fifth-generation wireless system (5G) is becoming more present in today's reality. Understanding the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements is critical for preparing future device designs to conform to the upcoming standards. This article provides an overview of EMC's role in the certification process and provides an updated standardization guide, comparing emissions and immunity tests of the latest 3GPP/ETSI and ITU recommendations. We discuss the test methodologies and challenges when setting up EMC test facilities, especially for OTA at the FR2 band. We also provide an example of equipment selection as a guide for 5G 3GPP RF conformance tests for User Equipment (UE) and Base Station (BS). Finally, thinking about the future, we dive into the next-generation wireless communication world to provide insights on how 6G technology advancements would impact EMC.