The Gflex® scanning receiver is a compact, high-performance PCTEL® scanner designed for mobile network testing across sub-8 GHz and mmWave frequency ranges.
Gflex supports drive testing, walk testing, government applications, multi-operator benchmarking, 2G–5G network testing, NTN validation, V2X testing, spectrum clearing, interference detection, and coverage assurance.
A single lightweight Gflex scanner can collect mmWave and sub-8 GHz data in one pass, using one unit.
Product Overview
Gflex is designed for fast, flexible wireless network testing across multiple operators, technologies, and frequency ranges.
It can be used for:
- Drive testing
- Walk testing
- Government applications
- 2G through 5G testing
- 5G NR testing
- mmWave testing
- Sub-8 GHz testing
- Multi-operator benchmarking
- Network optimization
- Network troubleshooting
- In-building wireless testing
- Interference detection
- Signal intelligence applications
Frequency Range
Gflex supports:
| Range | Details |
|---|---|
| Sub-8 GHz | 10 MHz to 8 GHz |
| mmWave | 24.25 GHz to 44 GHz continuous |
| Additional mmWave | 47.2 GHz to 48.2 GHz continuous |
Supported Technologies
Gflex may support:
- 5G NR
- LTE FDD
- TD-LTE
- LTE C-V2X
- NB-IoT
- UMTS
- GSM
- WiFi 6
- Spectrum analysis
- Custom power measurements for any channel
Supported technologies, bands, and features may vary by scanner configuration, software option, and license.
Key Features
Gflex features may include:
- Measures up to 120 5G channels
- Ultra-fast simultaneous 5G/4G/3G/2G testing
- I/Q streaming and capture
- 20 MHz and 100 MHz wide step IF filter
- 5G/4G/3G/2G Mobile Blind Scan
- Simultaneous NTN and terrestrial 4G/5G testing
- Dual polarization beamforming measurements
- 4G/5G Dynamic Spectrum Sharing, also known as DSS
- 4x2 and 2x2 LTE MIMO measurements
- Compact scanner design
- Hot-swappable battery pack
- Support for multiple software platforms
Applications
Gflex may be used for:
- Optimization and troubleshooting
- Multi-network benchmarking
- NTN validation and compliance
- V2X network testing
- Spectrum clearing
- In-building wireless testing
- Signal intelligence
- Interference detection
- Coverage assurance
- Drive testing
- Walk testing
- Government testing applications
Features and Benefits
Fast and Powerful
Gflex can streamline testing by combining the work of multiple devices into one compact scanner.
It can test up to 120 5G channels simultaneously across mmWave and sub-8 GHz bands.
Gflex uses multi-core processing to support fast scan speeds, including when 4G measurements are added.
Portable and Convenient
Gflex is designed as a lightweight, compact scanner for indoor and outdoor testing across multiple operator networks.
It supports multiple software platforms and includes a hot-swappable battery pack for longer walk testing sessions.
Future-Ready for 5G and Beyond
Gflex is designed for 5G and future wireless testing needs.
Its expanded mmWave and sub-8 GHz range supports broad 5G band coverage, and its wide step IF filter supports measurement of full 5G bandwidth.
Flexible for Advanced Applications
Gflex is field-upgradeable and can adapt to advanced testing needs.
It supports:
- I/Q streaming
- I/Q capture
- Signal intelligence applications
- Simultaneous terrestrial and NTN testing
- Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything, also known as C-V2X
- A wide variety of 5G network configurations
5G New Radio NR Capabilities
Gflex supports 5G NR measurement modes including:
- NR Top N Signal
- Synchronization channels, including PSS and SSS
- PBCH
- Layer 3 Reporting
- MIB for FR1 and FR2
- SIBs 1 through 9 for FR1
- SIB1 for FR2 in NR Top N mode
- Dual polarization beamforming measurements
- Blind Scan
- Mobile Blind Scan
Common 5G NR data modes include:
- PCI
- Beam Index
- PSS-RP
- SSS-RP
- PSS-RQ
- SSS-RQ
- PSS-CINR
- SSS-CINR
- RSPBCH-RP
- RSPBCH-RQ
- RSPBCH-CINR
- SSB-RP
- SSB-RQ
- SSB-CINR
- SSB index
- SSB-RSSI
- SSS Delay Spread
- Time Offset
5G NR Measurement Notes
| Item | Sub-8 GHz | mmWave |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum channels | 60 | 60 |
| Maximum PCIs | 16 | 16 |
| Maximum beams per PCI | 8 | 64 |
| Single-channel rate | 44/sec FR1 | 44/sec FR2 |
| Multi-channel rate | 33/sec FR1 | 25/sec FR2 |
Supported SSB periodicities include:
- 5 ms
- 10 ms
- 20 ms
- 40 ms
- 80 ms
- 160 ms
LTE FDD and TD-LTE Capabilities
Gflex supports LTE FDD and TD-LTE measurements including:
- Top N Synchronization Channel Reference Signal
- P-SCH and S-SCH
- Resource Block measurements
- Wideband and subband measurements
- Dynamic Spectrum Sharing
- Layer 3 Reporting
- Blind Scan
- Mobile Blind Scan
- NTN measurements
Common LTE data modes include:
- PCI
- RP
- RQ
- CINR
- Cyclic Prefix
- Time Offset
- Delay Spread
- RF Path Measurements
- MIMO measurements
- NTN Frequency Offset
Gflex supports LTE Ultra High Speed mode.
LTE C-V2X Capabilities
Gflex supports LTE C-V2X testing.
Measurement modes may include:
- PSCCH
- PSSCH
Data modes may include:
- RSRP
- RSSI
- CINR
- Direct Frame Number
- Direct Sub Frame Number
- Subchannel
- Channel Busy Ratio
Transmission mode:
- TM4
NB-IoT Capabilities
Gflex supports NB-IoT measurements including:
- Top N NRS
- NPSS
- NSSS
- Layer 3 Reporting
- Blind Scan
- Mobile Blind Scan
Supported operation modes may include:
- In-Band
- Guard Band
- Stand-alone
UMTS and GSM Capabilities
UMTS / WCDMA / HSPA+
Measurement modes may include:
- Top N Pilot
- Layer 3 Reporting
- Blind Scan
- Mobile Blind Scan
GSM
Measurement modes may include:
- Color Code
- Layer 3 Reporting
- Blind Scan
- Mobile Blind Scan
Gflex supports up to 400 BSIC decodes per second.
WiFi 6 Capabilities
Gflex supports WiFi 6 measurements using supported USB WiFi adapters.
Supported adapters may include:
- D-Link AX1800 Wi-Fi 6 USB Adapter DWA-X1850
- ASUS Wi-Fi 6 AX1800 USB Wi-Fi Adapter
Supported WiFi data may include:
- Signal Strength
- Channel Number
- Channel Bandwidth
- BSSID
- Device Name
- SSID
- Security Protocol
- 802.11 Media
- Beacon Interval
- Channel Utilization
Supported WiFi frequency ranges include:
- 2.4 GHz to 2.483 GHz
- 5.15 GHz to 5.85 GHz, subject to country regulations
Power Measurements
Gflex supports:
- RSSI measurements
- Enhanced Power Scan, also known as EPS
- Spectrum analysis
- Custom power measurements for any channel
| Measurement | Details |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | ±1 dB across basic RF input power range |
| Dynamic range | -120 to -20 dBm @ 30 kHz |
| Enhanced Power Scan | 5 kHz to 20 MHz in 2.5 kHz increments |
| Spectrum analysis range | Greater than 90 dB |
RF Characteristics
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Sub-8 GHz frequency range | 10 MHz to 8 GHz |
| mmWave frequency range | 24.25 GHz to 44 GHz continuous; 47.2 GHz to 48.2 GHz continuous |
| Safe RF input range | ≤ +0 dBm |
| RF operating range | -20 dBm max |
| Frequency accuracy | ±0.05 ppm GPS locked; ±0.1 ppm GPS unlocked |
| Conducted local oscillator | -55 dBm typical |
VITA 49.2 I/Q Streaming and Capture
Gflex supports VITA 49.2 I/Q streaming and capture for advanced applications.
Supported capabilities may include:
- 10 MHz to 8 GHz I/Q
- 24 GHz to 48 GHz I/Q
- 20 MHz, 50 MHz, and 100 MHz instantaneous bandwidth
- 16-bit I and 16-bit Q data format
- UDP communication protocol
- 10-GigE SFP+ continuous I/Q streaming
- RJ-45 Ethernet I/Q capture
I/Q features may be used for government applications, signal intelligence, and advanced spectrum analysis workflows.
Physical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Maximum power | 40 W max |
| Size | 6.42 in W x 8.13 in D x 2.37 in H |
| Weight | 4.8 lb |
| Operating temperature | 0°C to +50°C |
| Storage temperature | -30°C to +80°C |
| Humidity | 5% to 95% relative humidity, non-condensing |
| Host communications | USB 3.0, 10/100/1000 Ethernet RJ-45, 10-GigE SFP+, Bluetooth® |
Antenna Ports
Gflex antenna ports include:
- RF sub-8 GHz: SMA Female, 50Ω
- Bluetooth: SMA Female, 50Ω
- GPS: SMA Male, 50Ω SMB
- RF mmWave: 2.4 mm Female
GPS / GNSS
Gflex supports GNSS functionality including:
- Galileo
- GPS
- GLONASS
- BeiDou
- QZSS
GPS/GNSS features may include:
- 72-channel internal receiver
- 2.5 meter position accuracy
- Cold start acquisition under 26 seconds
- Hot start acquisition under 2 seconds
- Tracking sensitivity greater than -150 dBm
Safety, EMC, and Environmental
Gflex is listed with the following compliance and environmental references:
- Safety: EN 62368-1
- EMC: EU 2014/53/EU
- Shock and vibration: SAE J1455
- RoHS: Directive 2011/65/EU and amendment 2015/863, RoHS 3
When to Contact PCTEL Technical Support
Contact PCTEL Technical Support if:
- Gflex is not detected by SeeHawk software
- USB, Ethernet, SFP+, or Bluetooth connection is not working
- mmWave measurements are not appearing
- Sub-8 GHz measurements are not appearing
- Blind Scan does not detect expected channels
- 5G channel measurements appear incomplete
- I/Q streaming or capture is not working
- RF measurements appear inaccurate
- Expected bands or technologies are missing
- GPS lock is not working
- WiFi adapter is not detected
- Firmware or software compatibility is unclear
- Calibration or measurement accuracy is in question
When contacting support, provide:
- Scanner model
- Scanner serial number
- Software name and version
- Scanner firmware version
- Connection type: USB, Ethernet, SFP+, or Bluetooth
- Host device type
- Technology being tested
- Frequency band or channel
- Whether the issue is sub-8 GHz or mmWave
- Whether I/Q streaming or capture is involved
- Description of the issue
- Error message or screenshot, if available
Related Products and Software
This article may relate to:
- Gflex® scanning receiver
- SeeHawk® Touch
- SeeHawk® Collect
- SeeHawk® Reports
- SeeHawk® Central
- PCTEL scanning receiver accessories
- Windows laptops
- Android tablets
- WiFi 6 adapters
- I/Q streaming and capture workflows
Notes
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
Supported bands, technologies, data modes, software features, and frequency ranges vary by scanning receiver configuration.
Upgrades may be available for previously purchased scanning receivers. Contact a PCTEL sales representative for more information.
PCTEL® and Gflex® are registered trademarks of PCTEL, Inc.
Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG.
©2025 PCTEL, Inc. All rights reserved.
Rev. P, November 2025