Agilent has released the PXT Wireless Communications Test
Set, a common hardware test platform for use across the
LTE development lifecycle. The PXT test set is designed
for RF characterization, protocol verification and end-to-end
application testing of LTE user equipment (UE).
"The PXT Wireless Communications Test Set allows producers
of LTE user equipment to 1) rapidly move from development
to deployment; 2) improve the integrity and quality of their
products; and 3) reduce product cost," said Guy Sene,
vice president and general manager of Agilent's Microwave
and Communications Division. "With the introduction
of this test set, Agilent further strengthens its unmatched
portfolio of electronic test solutions for LTE and other
wireless technologies."
The key features of PXT include:
--Offers frequency coverage to 6 GHz, 20 MHz bandwidth,
MIMO, base-station emulation -- all in an integrated unit
that can be configured with a wide range of network parameters
through an easy-to-use Windows-based user interface;
--Consists of a RF parametric test suite that provides test
mode signaling for characterization and verification of
the UE transmitter and receiver;
a functional and application test suite that supports enhanced
protocol and end-to-end application testing; stressing and
debugging signaling; and data handling capabilities of UE
designs; and real-time protocol logging that adds to its
extensive debugging and analysis capabilities.
Agilent has also launched eight new measurement applications
for its PXA X-Series signal analyzer. The measurement applications
cover a range of industry standards in cellular communication,
wireless networking, digital video and other general purpose
applications.
In addition, three new measurement applications have been
added to Agilent's MXA and EXA signal analyzers portfolio
and the LTE FDD, LTE TDD and EDGE Evolution applications
have been updated.
The new measurement applications are used in R&D, design
validation and production to ease the burden of physical
layer testing for 3G/3.5G/3.9G cellular, wireless and digital
video applications, and RF testing for general-purpose applications.
The new X-Series applications for the PXA include:
--Wireless networking applications, including 802.16 OFDMA
and Bluetooth.
--The new N9081A Bluetooth measurement application (also
new for MXA/EXA) is compliant with Bluetooth core specification
version 2.1+ EDR and Low Energy (LE), making the X-Series
the only signal analyzers to offer Bluetooth LE support;
--Cellular applications, including GSM/EDGE/EDGE Evolution
and TD-SCDMA;
--Digital video applications, including DTMB and CMMB;
--General-purpose applications, including analog demodulation
and SCPI remote language compatibility. The N9062A SCPI
remote language compatibility measurement application allows
the PXA, MXA and EXA signal analyzers to emulate Rohde &
Schwarz FSP, FSU and FSE spectrum analyzers in remotely-
controlled, automated test equipment systems.
The updated LTE FDD and TDD measurement applications now
feature:
--In-band emissions and spectrum flatness measurements with
pre-set limit lines for UE transmitter conformance test;
--Downlink transport layer decoding for PBCH, PCFICH, PDCCH
and PDSCH channels;
--Conformance EVM measurement optimized for measurement
speed for manufacturing throughput
--Support for UE specific RS for LTE-TDD.
The updated EDGE Evolution measurement application now
supports new capabilities being defined in Release 9 of
the 3GPP GERAN standards. These capabilities include voice
services over adaptive multiuser channels on one slot (VAMOS),
an evolution of GSM for doubling GSM voice capacity, and
multicarrier GSM (also known as MC-BTS). To date, the X-Series
are the only signal analyzers offering support for both
MC-BTS and VAMOS.
All of the new and updated measurement applications use
a hardkey/softkey manual user interface plus SCPI programming
capabilities. This is particularly beneficial in automated
testing, such as during design validation and manufacturing.
X-Series Measurement Applications
The new and enhanced measurement applications are part
of a common library of more than 22 advanced measurement
applications within the Agilent X-Series family. The X-Series
analyzers use an evolutionary approach to signal analysis
that spans instrumentation, measurements and software. The
X-Series analyzers; with an upgradeable CPU, memory, disk
drives and I/O ports; enable engineers to keep their test
assets current and extend instrument longevity. Proven algorithms,
100 percent code-compatibility and a common user interface
across the X-Series create a consistent measurement framework
for signal analysis. This ensures repeatable results and
measurement integrity, making it possible for engineers
to leverage their test system software through all phases
of product development. Engineers can further extend their
test assets by transporting applications across multiple
X-Series analyzers.
Price:
N9081A (Bluetooth) is priced at US$4,800.
N9010A/N9020A-ESC (External source control (MXA/EXA)) is
priced at US$1,500.
N9062A (SCPI remote language compatibility) comes free of
charge.
Availability: Available for download in September.
For more information visit: www.agilent.com.
