OREANDA-NEWS. SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) announced that it today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rohde & Schwarz, a Germany-based independent manufacturer of test and measurement equipment for mobile radios and radio communications, on joint research and development of next-generation antenna technologies.

Under the MOU, SK Telecom and Rohde & Schwarz will work together to create a testbed for Active Antenna System (AAS), a core technology in the next-generation antenna system, for performance verification; and to conduct research and development activities for next-generation antenna system equipment. Rohde & Schwarz will provide SK Telecom with signal generator (SMW200A, SGS100A) and radio network analyzer (TSMW).

As regards to PETA Solutions, a group of technologies SK Telecom developed in order to enhance the performance of its LTE-Advanced/LTE network, it has been currently focusing on promoting network evolution through small cell technologies. In particular, it has suggested a differentiated technology concept called 'SUPER Cell' to expand network capacity and improve data quality.

Moreover, in line with its SUPER Cell concept, SK Telecom has been focusing on research and development of next-generation antenna system since 2011 to dramatically improve data speeds. In particular, AAS is a comprehensive antenna technology that can be applied to all types of networks including LTE-Advanced. It is also capable of increasing the number of radio channels between a base station and handset by several times to tens of times.

With the application of AAS, customers will be able to experience high-quality service even in areas of high data traffic as the antenna can coordinate the amount of radio signals to be sent from the base station.

“We are pleased to join hands with SK Telecom, the world's top LTE service provider, to research and develop next-generation antenna technologies,” said Christian Leicher, Chief Operating Office of Rohde & Schwarz. “We hope that our joint efforts will serve as a basis for the development of the most innovative network technologies that will drive further evolution of telecommunications network.”

“Joint research and development between SK Telecom, a mobile operator, and Rohde & Schwarz, a communications network measurement equipment manufacturer, will generate synergies in the development of next-generation network technologies. And with these technologies, we will continue to provide our customers with high quality services” said Choi Jin-sung, Head of ICT R&D Division at SK Telecom.

Established in 1933, Rohde & Schwarz is an international electronics group specialized in the fields of electronic test equipment, broadcasting, radio monitoring and radiolocation, and radiocommunication. In addition to the Munich headquarters, there are regional headquarters in the US (Columbia, Maryland) and in Asia (Singapore). Worldwide, the company has a total of around 8700 employees in over 70 countries. Exports account for approx. 90 percent of revenues.