Agilent Technologies Introduces RF Full Conformance Test System for 3G Mobile Handsets

today announced the latest addition to its GS-8800 family of RF design verification and conformance test solutions: the GS-8853 3G RF Conformance Test (RCT) system. This full-featured system for mobile handset conformance test leverages the measurement speed, accuracy and repeatability strengths of Agilent products to create a reliable, high-performance conformance test system. These capabilities make it ideal for wireless test laboratories, handset manufacturers, chipset vendors and NEMs performing full wireless RF conformance test.

The Agilent GS-8853 RCT system performs accurate, repeatable measurements, testing handsets for conformance to the individual test standards as prescribed by the Global Certification Forum (GCF) for UMTS mobile phones. PCS-type certification review board (PTCRB) validation is expected shortly. The GS-8853 system builds on the successful Agilent 8960 wireless communications test set. This architecture adds other high-performance Agilent instruments as well as the Anite Baseband Processor and Anite System Software to perform RF conformance testing to 3GPP TS34.121-1 test specifications for Release 99 W-CDMA and Release 4/5 W-CDMA/HSDPA technology -- all within a single test platform.

Supporting multiple technology formats (e.g., 2G to 3G and 3.5G conformance test) and an extensive range of bands, including Band 1, II and V, the GS-8853 flexibility minimizes the user’s capital investment, ensures development of quality products and provides an easy upgrade path for Release 6/7 HSPA/HSPA+ formats planned within 2008.

“Measurement speed, accuracy and repeatability are key differentiators of the new 3G RF conformance test system,” said Niels Fach, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Mobile Broadband Division. “Coupled with its support for multiple formats and scalability, the GS-8853 further strengthens our portfolio of solutions supporting wireless standards across the entire R&D lifecycle -- ensuring our customers have the tools they need to develop high-quality, standards-based mobile handsets.”

Agilent’s GS-8800 family of multiformat RF design verification and conformance systems include the GS-8811 and GS-8812 benchtop design verification systems, as well as the GS-8830 Series rack-mount design verification systems. The GS-8800’s measurement capabilities are augmented by an RF Interface Module, which handles RF switching and conditioning, and offers the highest measurement accuracy possible. The software includes pre-defined tests that conform to the individual technology standard, as well as a design verification environment where users can easily configure or modify these tests. Based on a core platform of Agilent test equipment and software, the GS-8800 family provides scalable solutions for the entire product lifecycle meeting the advanced requirements for both R&D design verification and conformance test.