ETSI TS 151 021 specifies the Radio Frequency (RF) test methods and conformance requirements for GSM 400, GSM 700, T-GSM 810, GSM 900, ER-GSM 900 and DCS 1800, PCS 1900, GSM 850, MXM 850 and MXM 1900 Base Station Systems (BSS)s. These have been derived from, and are consistent with, the core GSM specifications specified in the requirements reference subclause of each test with the exception that requirements expressed as a reference to regulatory documents (e.g. FCC) have not been included in the present document.

The present document is applicable to BSS meeting the requirements of either GSM Phase 2 or GSM Phase 2+. Unless otherwise stated, all tests are applicable to BSS meeting Phase 2 and/or Phase 2+ GSM requirements, because the requirements of the Phase 2 and Phase 2+ core GSM specifications which are referenced in the test are consistent. Most differences between Phase 2 and Phase 2+ requirements represent Phase 2+ features which are optional for the BSS to support.

Conformance requirements may be tested to verify all aspects of the performance of a BSS. These minimum requirements are intended to be used by manufacturers and operators to allow conformance and acceptance testing to be performed in a consistent manner; the tests to be performed should be agreed between the parties.

In some tests there are separate requirements for micro-BTS and BTS. If there is no separate requirement for a micro-BTS, the requirements for the BTS apply to a micro-BTS.

In Rel-7, higher symbol rate is introduced for EGPRS2-B. EGPRS2-A and all other channels use normal symbol rate. For definition of normal and higher symbol rate see 3GPP TS 45.004. All tests and requirements apply to both symbol rates except otherwise stated in the test.

In some tests there are separate requirements for multicarrier BTS, that apply for all classes of multicarrier BTS (Wide Area, Medium Range and Local Area, cf. [22]) unless otherwise stated. If there is no separate requirement for a multicarrier BTS class, the requirement designated for BTS and normal BTS apply to that multicarrier BTS class.

In Rel-12, BTS operating in the ER-GSM 900 band is introduced. In some tests there are separate requirements for BTS operating in the ER-GSM 900 band. If there is no separate requirement, the requirements for normal BTS apply.

In Rel-13, BTS support of a low-complexity, low data throughput service in environments experiencing high propagation attenuation as indoors in basements etc. is introduced. This service, based on EGPRS, with extended coverage is called EC-GSM-IoT. The requirements for EGPRS apply in case no specific requirement is explicitly stated for EC-GSM-IoT.

In the present document, the reference point for RF connections (except for the measurement of mean transmitted RF carrier power) is the antenna connector, as defined by the manufacturer. The present document does not apply to repeaters or RF devices which may be connected to an antenna connector of a BSS, except as specified in subclause 4.10.