Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:KEYS) and Ericsson have collaborated to troubleshoot and validate interoperability between an Ericsson pre-6G base station (gNB) and prototype pre-6G devices, using Keysight's WaveJudge Wireless Analyzer Solutions. The work demonstrates full-stack pre-6G interoperability testing using real network infrastructure and devices, supporting early validation of emerging 6G concepts as standards development continues. The collaboration will be demonstrated live at Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026.

As 6G standardization efforts begin, the industry increasingly needs to validate early implementations against evolving specifications. Pre-standard 6G systems are exploring new concepts such as cm-wave spectrum, wider channel bandwidths up to 400 MHz, massive Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) performance gains, and improved protocol efficiency. Interoperability testing between prototype base stations and devices is particularly complex due to differences in design choices and interpretations of draft standards, making it difficult to identify root causes of performance or signaling issues.

Keysight addresses these challenges with its WaveJudge Wireless Analyzer Solutions, which acts as an independent third-party solution to decode and analyze signaling from both the gNB and UE. WaveJudge highlights discrepancies between expected and actual behavior, enabling faster issue identification and resolution between vendors. The solution provides detailed multi-layer analysis and KPI insights, allowing engineers to evaluate link performance, verify advanced features, and quantify the benefits of emerging 6G technologies.

Lucas Hansen, Vice President and General Manager, Wireless Devices, and Operators at Keysight, said: "Early validation is critical to advancing next-generation wireless. By working closely with Ericsson, we are enabling early exploration of new ideas alongside the standards development process. Keysight's WaveJudge solutions help identify issues quickly and accelerate our customers' path from research to real-world deployment."

• WaveJudge Wireless Analyzer Solutions
• 6G Communications

At Keysight (NYSE:KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we're delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product life cycle. We're a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.