Agilent Technologies’ New X-Series Measurement Application Automates LTE Measurements

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced a new 3GPP LTE measurement application for its X-Series signal analyzers. Providing the industry’s most comprehensive embedded solution with hardkey/softkey and SCPI programming user interface, the measurement application brings physical layer testing of uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) LTE signals to the test rack. When coupled with the industry-leading speed of Agilent’s X-Series analyzers, it offers some of the fastest LTE measurements in the market, making it especially well-suited for use in automated testing during design validation and prototype production.

The Agilent N9080A LTE measurement application, along with the X-Series analyzers, provides a more complete picture of LTE signal problems and their causes for better, faster design troubleshooting. It offers the same rich feature set as the LTE option found in Agilent’s industry-leading 89600 Vector Signal Analysis (VSA) software, but also puts comprehensive LTE signal analysis in the test rack with familiar automation tools like SCPI programming and LAN/LXI compatible interfaces. As a result, the engineer spends more time validating designs and implementing tests, and less time learning programming tools and instrument interfaces.

With its coverage of the latest 3GPP LTE standard, the N9080A enables effective analysis of UL and DL LTE signals, including single-channel MIMO analysis, in a single option. As a result, engineers can make transmitter measurements on eNB (base station) and user equipment (mobile station) with up to $17,000 savings compared to other commercially available LTE software.

The N9080A supports all LTE bandwidths and modulation formats per the latest 3GPP TS 36 standards. Specific modulation quality measurements include EVM per OFDM carrier, EVM per OFDM symbol, EVM per slot and EVM per Resource Block -- a measurement unique to Agilent. These measurements help identify EVM performance per user, per radio frame, per sub-frame, per slot, per resource block, and per symbol. Selective analysis by channel, subcarrier or symbol help the engineer troubleshoot and uncover previously unseen errors.

“Measurement flexibility and speed are key requirements for today’s R&D, design validation and production engineers,” said Guy Sene, vice president of Agilent’s Signal Analysis Division. “The new 3GPP LTE measurement application is a continuation of Agilent’s strategy to provide the X-Series analyzers with the most complete set of measurement applications on the market. By offering more flexible measurements, along with better measurement speed than other commercially available solutions, our application ensures today’s engineers can successfully achieve their measurement goals.”

Agilent’s new LTE measurement application features a well-designed user interface, including four simultaneous, user-selected displays. This saves the engineer time by displaying desired measurements without switching. Marker coupling among multiple traces, plus color coding by channel type, speeds the process of tracking an error from the constellation through the multiple EVM traces.

Agilent X-Series signal analyzers feature the MXA and EXA solutions. The Agilent MXA is the industry’s fastest, most accurate mid-range signal analyzer. Agilent’s EXA offers speed at a lower price point. Together they offer unprecedented speed and application coverage.

An additional product aimed at LTE is the Agilent 89600 VSA software with LTE option. It can be used with more than 30 Agilent products to make LTE measurements anywhere in the block diagram -- from baseband to antenna, on digitized or analog signals -- using spectrum and signal analyzers, oscilloscopes and logic analyzers. Measurements can also be made on simulated designs created with the Agilent EEsof Advanced Design System. Information about Agilent’s broad range of 3GPP LTE products is available at www.agilent.com/find/LTE.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Agilent N9080A 3GPP LTE measurement application for the X-Series signal analyzers is now available for purchase through Agilent’s distribution or direct sales channels. The N9080A is priced at $12,000.