November 29, 2004
The trend of incorporating GSM, GRPS
and Edge/EGPRS into new, multifunction portable wireless devices
is placing new testing demands on R&D teams and chipset
manufacturers. And as these devices with features such as simultaneous
voice and data sessions and picture messaging continue to evolve,
the Global Certification Forum and other standards organizations
are demanding tighter conformance testing prior to high-volume
manufacturing and consumer use.
Historically, R&D engineers and chipset
manufacturers have subscribed to networks or used conformance
test systems to test new multifunction wireless designs. However,
designers are now finding that the emerging generation of wireless
devices is pushing the limitations of these traditional development
environments. Lack of control over subscriber networks is making
it increasingly difficult to reliably test new designs. Subscriber
networks typically limit testing to late night hours, making
it inconvenient and time consuming to verify designs. Conformance
systems, which can cost $200,000 to $300,000, are script-based
and cannot operate in real time. This limitation makes it difficult
to accurately predict device behavior in "real life"
application environments. Couple the inability to operate in
real time with multiple personnel vying to use these systems,
and it's easy to see how problems can quickly escalate.
The Agilent E5515C wireless communications
test set with lab applications avoids these problems, providing
a bench-top network emulator for straightforward and cost-effective
testing of:
- Handset RF Performance
- Network Service Features
- Application Functional Test
- Manufacturing and Handoff Test
This solution works with all of the major
wireless technologies, enabling integration and protocol engineers
to test functionality and RF parameters of new wireless devices
in a real-world environment. For reference design houses and
chipset manufacturers, the E5515C with lab applications is a
multi-format RF and protocol test set that combines RF test
and data verification in one design tool, helping to speed wireless
device development.
RF Performance
One of the first development hurdles is getting
the phone to connect with the network. For example, when a W-CDMA
device attempts to gain access to the network, it signals the
local base station using short RF bursts called physical random
access channel (PRACH) preambles. If the device under development
has difficulty connecting, the bench-top network emulator lets
engineers analyze the PRACH Preamble using a graphical indication
of the profile, error vector magnitude, phase and constellation.
These tools make it easy to identify problems down to the chip
level. It also provides measurements like code domain power
and waveform quality to help tune the user equipment (UE) to
conform to RF and protocol standards.
Network Service Features
The next challenge in wireless device development
is verifying the product's ability to perform everyday operations
such as changing channels, performing soft handoffs, and operating
in compressed mode. In this stage the Agilent E5515C with lab
applications lets engineers test and optimize operation using
tools and options for testing multiple burst profiles. For GSM
environments it provides functional validation of network services
such as simple short messaging services (SMS) that include Chinese
character sets, picture messages and wireless application protocol
(WAP) location-based services. For EGPRS environments it ensures
functionality through incremental redundancy.
Application Functional Test
In addition to verifying a product's ability
to perform everyday operations, designers must ensure the device
will quickly and seamlessly execute customer demanded functions.
In this case, the Agilent E5515C with lab applications provides
high-rate packet and circuit data channels allowing for real-world
Web surfing, video conferencing or data transfer. Agilent's
Wireless Protocol Advisor, included with every lab application,
logs all messages from the wireless device down to the decoded
bit level, allowing analysis of each protocol layer. This powerful
debugging tool helps engineers quickly isolate and correct problems
with new designs or mature designs that have undergone hardware
or firmware changes.
Manufacturing Handoff and Testing
For the manufacturing environment, Agilent
offers technology-specific test applications that are fully
compatible with the Agilent lab applications. This compatibility
helps manufacturing engineers develop test plans and achieve
repeatable wireless device performance to standards set during
the design stage. Using the same platform for design and manufacturing
enables a smooth and fast transition from design to manufacturing.
Conclusion
The Agilent E5515C with lab applications
provides engineers with tools for RF measurements, network emulation,
real-time protocol analysis, and service capabilities across
a variety of wireless technologies. This flexibility helps shorten
development time, expedite the transition of the wireless device
into high-volume manufacturing and ensure end-user satisfaction
of the device's multi-function capabilities in real-world conditions.
###
Contacts:
Janet Smith, Agilent
+1 970 679 5397
janet_smith@agilent.com
Annie Lennon
Weber Shandwick, for Agilent
+1 503 552 3747
alennon@webershandwick.com
|
Contact Us