With LTE (3G Long Term Evolution) becoming a global phenomenon, Aeroflex will dramatically accelerate the roll out of the major new features planned for 2009 for its recently launched 7100 Digital Radio Test Set for LTE mobile device test.
The roll out of new features for the Aeroflex 7100 during 2009 relates to LTE/CDMA2000 inter-working, LTE/UTRAN & GERAN handover, TD-LTE mode and LTE mobile device conformance test.
-Several major CDMA network operators announced aggressive plans to adopt LTE as their next generation network technology which will operate in parallel with their existing networks. Both the 3GPP and 3GPP2 standards bodies have actively cooperated to finalize the necessary standards to enable this inter-working to be deployed. The 7100 will introduce the ability to test LTE/CDMA2000 network selection and Idle Mode handoff in Q2 CY2009, followed by Active Mode handover in Q3 CY2009.
-To provide seamless, global coverage, LTE devices will need to support 2G/3G access. From Q4 CY2009, the 7100 will provide ability to test backward compatibility with existing 2G/3G networks by simulating LTE, WCDMA and GSM.
-The LTE standard supports both paired and non-paired operation with the Frequency Division Duplex (FDD-LTE) and Time Division Duplex (TD-LTE) modes. The demand for TD-LTE mode is primarily driven by China's decision to adopt it. However, network operators in other countries are also now evaluating TD-LTE. The 7100 will include a TD-LTE test capability in Q4 CY2009.
-The focus of the 7100 is currently on the R&D market. However, it will also provide the signaling unit for future protocol and RF conformance test systems for LTE. The conformance test specifications – 36.521 for RF and 36.523 for protocol – are being proactively developed to ensure that the introduction of certification happens in good time for the commercial launch of LTE networks. Support for TTCN3 will be introduced on the 7100, enabling it to use the standard test cases being generated by ETSI on behalf the 3GPP RAN5 Working Group.
Based on tried and tested Aeroflex RF and baseband technology, the 7100 supports both RF parametric and protocol testing for LTE terminal devices by simulating the network from the physical layer to the core network IP infrastructure. With its focus mainly on the R&D market from the component to the handset level, the 7100 delivers the most comprehensive testing capability for LTE mobile devices available in a single bench-top instrument.