Keysight has developed a laptop-based drive-test and walk-test platform for evaluating commercial cellular networks from 2G through 5G New Radio (NR). The Nemo Outdoor 5G-NR solution is designed to capture real-world network behaviour by connecting to test smartphones, IoT devices, and scanning receivers to record air-interface characteristics, protocol signalling, and user-level performance while the devices are in motion. The collected data supports both real-time observation and post-processing analysis, enabling engineers to evaluate network performance across the full network lifecycle, from rollout and optimization to benchmarking and continuous monitoring, using a single unified platform.
Measuring Quality Beyond Signal Strength
Network performance is ultimately experienced by the end user. For this reason, the solution places strong emphasis on Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) measurements. Rather than relying solely on theoretical metrics, Nemo Outdoor evaluates performance using real applications running on commercial, non-rooted smartphones, allowing engineers to observe how services such as video streaming, voice calls, and data transfers behave under actual network conditions. The system supports both data and voice testing, enabling verification of consumer experience through native applications. Voice quality evaluation and application-level testing help translate raw radio measurements into meaningful performance insights that reflect what subscribers actually encounter.
Deep Visibility into the Network
At the core of Nemo Outdoor is its ability to connect directly to the diagnostic interfaces of supported smartphones and devices. This provides access to full modem information, including RF parameters, Layer 1 to Layer 3 KPIs, and signaling messages. With thousands of statistical calculations performed on collected data, engineers can examine network behavior in detail and identify performance bottlenecks with greater confidence. Advanced troubleshooting features further support network analysis by enabling detection of missing neighbors, pilot pollution, and co-channel or adjacent-channel interference. Automatic base station location detection and blind scanning assist in identifying coverage gaps and interference sources across the measurement route.
Scalable Testing for Complex Networks
Field testing often requires simultaneous measurements from multiple devices. Nemo Outdoor supports scalable configurations, allowing several smartphones, IoT devices, and scanners to be connected to a single laptop. This capability makes it possible to perform benchmarking across devices, technologies, and operators within the same test run, simplifying comparison and analysis. For indoor environments, the solution can be extended to walk-test scenarios using a backpack configuration, maintaining multi-device testing capability in locations where vehicle-based measurements are not feasible.
From Data Collection to Insight
The value of drive testing lies not only in data acquisition but also in post-processing and analysis. Nemo Outdoor collects comprehensive datasets designed for detailed post-processing, enabling deeper investigation of network behavior over time and across locations. Benchmarking tools and analytics support structured comparison of networks and devices, helping engineers assess performance trends and identify optimization priorities throughout the network lifecycle.
A Practical Tool for Real-World Network Evaluation
By combining multi-technology support, application-level testing, scalable device connectivity, and detailed radio analysis, the Nemo Outdoor 5G NR Drive Test Solution serves as a practical field companion for understanding how mobile networks perform in real usage scenarios. It bridges the gap between theoretical network design and user-perceived performance, providing engineers with the measurements needed to evaluate, troubleshoot, and refine wireless networks where it matters most—outside the lab, in the real world.
Click here to learn more about the Nemo Outdoor 5G-NR solution from Keysight.