Agilent introduces “industry-first” TD-LTE receiver measurements drive-test system

Details: Category: Wireless Networks; 15 October 2009; 9276 views

The recent software upgrade of a proven receiver by Agilent Technologies enables early verification of base-station coverage and integrated testing of networks up to eight frequency bands...

Agilent Technologies has recently announced TD- LTE (Test Data-Long Term Evolution) receiver measurements as a software upgrade to its proven Agilent E6474A Drive Test Network Optimisation Platform. A key market for the E6474A system is Africa where local partner Concilium Technologies has supplied a number of the systems to wireless service providers throughout the continent.

“The Agilent W1314A receiver with this software upgrade extends the capabilities to allow the service provider to quickly verify base-station RF (Radio Frequency) coverage, plot accurate coverage maps and validate planning in the early development of LTE networks,” believes Steve Alves, Managing Director of Concilium Technologies. “This new option builds on the existing FDD-LTE (Frequency Driven Duplex-Long Term Evolution) measurements in the Agilent solution to provide both FDD-LTE and TD-LTE measurements on a single measurement platform. Agilent receivers...reduce the need for large and more expensive ‘rack-and-stack’ test phones.”

The Agilent drive test platform already supports established, related wireless technologies, including HSPA+, UMTS, 1xEV DO and TD-SCDMA. The W1314A receiver with the software enhancement will not only measure LTE P-SCH, S-SCH RSSI and LTE Cell-ID, but provides simultaneous measurements of the older 2G and 3G networks as well.

Although LTE is the first global wireless standard, it is built on earlier technologies allowing its enhanced platform to overlay analysis. An Agilent receiver can measure up to eight frequency bands - which eliminates the need to carry additional receivers into the field making the platform a more flexible solution.

“...LTE is going to be a global standard in both the FDD and TDD (Test Driven Development) domains making a value-add to customers through equipment that is flexible and upgradeable,” says Todd Biddle, General Manager Agilent's Network Solutions Division/Assurance. “From the outset, we design our hardware products to cope with the evolving standards in wireless technologies, delivering ongoing customer value through software upgrades.”

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