Rohde & Schwarz and Broadcom to Showcase Wi-Fi 8 Testing Innovations at MWC 2026

Rohde & Schwarz, in collaboration with Broadcom, is preparing to display its powerful CMX500 multi-technology multi-channel signalling tester at MWC Barcelona 2026. The showcase, located at the Rohde & Schwarz booth (5A80), will feature newly added Wi-Fi 8 (IEEE 802.11bn) testing capabilities. By validating a prototype Wi-Fi 8 device from Broadcom, the demonstration will highlight the unique physical layer features of the upcoming wireless standard.

Addressing UHR Challenges with the CMX500

As wireless networking transitions beyond simply increasing throughput, the IEEE 802.11bn amendment focuses heavily on Ultra High Reliability (UHR). This advancement is crucial for delivering consistent, high-quality connectivity across dense environments, managing the explosion of connected devices, and supporting demanding applications like VR/AR, 8K streaming, and industrial IoT.

Wi-Fi 8 builds upon the strong foundation of Wi-Fi 7, retaining core parameters such as supported frequencies up to 7.125 GHz, channel bandwidths up to 320 MHz, 4096QAM modulation, and Multi-Link-Operation (MLO). However, achieving its ambitious UHR goals requires innovative PHY and MAC layer technologies that introduce significant new testing hurdles.

At MWC 2026, industry professionals can see firsthand how the enhanced CMX500 one-box signalling tester addresses these exact challenges:

• Distributed Resource Units (dRU): Wi-Fi 8 utilises dRUs to overcome power spectral density (PSD) limits. The CMX500 allows users to validate a device’s ability to boost uplink transmit power and improve overall connection reliability.
• Unequal Modulation (UEQM): To improve throughput in difficult reception scenarios, UEQM allows each MIMO link to use a different modulation scheme. Users can leverage UEQM analysis to ensure test devices accurately adapt modulation using specified modulation and coding scheme (MCS) combinations.
• Comprehensive Signalling Mode Tests: By covering a broad range of Wi-Fi 8 features, engineers can perform an in-depth analysis of next-generation performance characteristics.

A Future-Ready Platform for All Standards

The CMX500 stands out as a modular, highly versatile one-box signalling tester that enables comprehensive multi-technology testing. It covers a massive spectrum of standards, including LTE and NR in SA/NSA modes, NR-NTN, NB-NTN, Direct-to-Cell (D2C/DTC) testing, and WLAN (including Wi‑Fi 7 and Wi‑Fi 8).

This consolidation allows R&D engineers to comprehensively test their wireless device designs across both the latest cellular and non-cellular standards using a single, streamlined instrument setup.

Attendees can experience the CMX500 validating a Wi-Fi 8 device from Broadcom, alongside other test solutions for next-generation WLAN, at the Fira Gran Via in Barcelona, Hall 5.