NB-IoT
Test NB1 and NB2 devices in standalone, in-band or guard-band deployments. Explore coverage levels, repetitions and small-data communication.
3GPP support: Release 19.
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Develop and debug NB-IoT, LTE-M, RedCap and eRedCap devices with the AMARI Callbox Series. Control the radio network and core network, investigate power-saving behaviour and repeat application tests in your lab.
All four technologies are included by default in every AMARI Callbox. Choose the model according to your bands, bandwidth and simultaneous cells.
Test NB1 and NB2 devices in standalone, in-band or guard-band deployments. Explore coverage levels, repetitions and small-data communication.
3GPP support: Release 19.
Test Cat-M1 devices with FDD, half-duplex FDD or TDD configurations. Exercise coverage enhancement Mode A and message repetitions.
3GPP support: Release 16.
Validate reduced-capability 5G SA devices, from registration to data traffic. Configure bandwidth parts, access permissions and half-duplex operation to match the device.
Supports RedCap, introduced in 3GPP Release 17.
Develop enhanced reduced-capability 5G devices. Check capability signalling, eRedCap cell access and application connectivity with a compatible NR SA configuration.
Supports eRedCap, introduced in 3GPP Release 18.
Release references describe the documented capabilities for each technology. Match your installed software and device capabilities to the intended test; Tech Academy documents the latest software, including test releases.
For NB-IoT and LTE-M, configure Power Saving Mode (PSM), the extended periodic tracking-area-update timer T3412 and active time T3324. Check negotiated values, sleep entry and the next device-originated transmission.
Vary extended DRX cycles and Paging Time Windows. Test downlink delivery when the device listens for paging, and compare responsiveness across configurations. Tech Academy provides PSM/eDRX setup guidance for both NB-IoT and LTE-M.
Exercise Wake-Up Signal and group WUS configurations for compatible NB-IoT and LTE-M devices. Check paging behaviour with different wake-up settings.
For compatible RedCap and eRedCap devices, explore NR eDRX, RRC Inactive and the 5G core's Mobile Initiated Connection Only (MICO) mode with active time. Select features supported by the device and check reconnection and data delivery.
Use Callbox protocol logs to understand state transitions. Add an external power analyser to measure device current and energy alongside the network scenario.
Check attach or registration, authentication and data-session establishment. Run your application's periodic reports, commands and reconnect sequences, then inspect signalling when a transaction fails.
Vary RF conditions and NB-IoT or LTE-M repetition settings. Investigate connection reliability and delivery time as coverage changes. Match the setup to the device's supported coverage mode.
Test NB-IoT control-plane CIoT optimisation and control-plane Early Data Transmission (CP-EDT) with compatible devices. Recent software adds mobile-terminated CP-EDT and CIoT overhead reduction, enabling comparisons of signalling and application delivery.
Test initial and dedicated bandwidth parts, including a RedCap BWP within a wider NR carrier. Check cell access for 1Rx and 2Rx devices, and verify allowed or barred behaviour for RedCap and eRedCap.
Use suitable multi-cell configurations to investigate reselection, supported handover procedures and recovery after coverage loss. Adapt each scenario to the technology and device capabilities.
Keep a baseline network configuration and repeat the same scenarios after firmware changes. Use protocol logs and remote APIs to investigate regressions and automate recurring checks.
NB-IoT, LTE-M, RedCap and eRedCap are standard across the range. Select radio resources for the complete test configuration, including any wider carrier containing a RedCap bandwidth part.
| Model | Suggested use |
|---|---|
| AMARI Callbox Mini | Compact development setup for one cell at a time. |
| AMARI Callbox Classic | Multi-cell IoT scenarios within the model's LTE/NR bandwidth limits. |
| AMARI Callbox Advanced | IoT testing alongside wider-bandwidth 5G and multi-cell configurations. |
| AMARI Callbox Ultimate | Additional radio resources for mixed-technology and multi-cell test plans. |
| AMARI Callbox Extreme | Larger multi-cell configurations for demanding device validation. |
| AMARI Callbox Elite | Separate test networks using two eNB/gNB instances and up to two core networks. |
Confirm bands, carrier bandwidths and simultaneous cells for your selected technology. The individual model pages describe the available configurations.
Every AMARI Callbox includes NB-IoT, LTE-M, RedCap and eRedCap support and five SIM cards. No additional technology option is required for these four modes.
Use a compatible device and matching subscriber credentials. Connect through a conducted RF path with suitable attenuation, or a controlled radiated setup. Select the Callbox for your target bands and cell configuration.
Add a power analyser for current and energy measurements, and any shielding or RF accessories required by your setup. FR2 testing requires the AMARI NW FR2 Option and a band-matched AMARI FR2 Hardware Package.
IoT device + test SIM + selected Callbox + external power analyser. Establish application connectivity, configure PSM and eDRX, then compare negotiated timers, paging and reporting cycles with the device's current trace.
Compatible NR SA device + test SIM + selected Callbox. Configure cell access and bandwidth parts, check the reported device capabilities and run application traffic. Repeat with different access and power-saving settings supported by the device.
NB-IoT or LTE-M device + selected Callbox + controlled RF attenuation. Repeat connection and data-transfer tests across coverage and repetition settings. Compare results and protocol logs before and after a firmware update.
Yes. All four are included across the Callbox range. Use compatible devices and configurations for each technology; simultaneous operation depends on the chosen model and radio resources.
NB-IoT-NTN is included by default. See NTN device testing for satellite scenarios, channel simulation and configuration guidance.
Share your technology, device model, bands and required cells, along with your power-saving, coverage or application scenarios. Our team can match a Callbox configuration and accessories to your test plan.
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