Latest Test and Measurement News

Rohde & Schwarz adds PIM Analyzer to its mobile Network Testing Portfolio

22 November 2016 - The network performance for LTE and LTE-Advanced in particular is negatively affected by passive intermodulation (PIM). Communication Components Inc. (CCI) has developed the PiMPro Tower Series, providing mobile network operators and their service providers with an ideal solution for PIM testing during the installation and maintenance of base stations. The PIM analyzer is now available exclusively from Rohde & Schwarz. The T&M expert offers single-source test solutions extending over the entire lifecycle of a mobile network.

In response to the continually increasing demand for higher data rates, network operators have to increase the spectral efficiency of their networks up to the theoretical limit. However, the high sensitivity of LTE and LTE-Advanced makes any interference even more noticeable. These passive intermodulation effects have therefore developed into a challenge for network operators wanting to ensure the quality of their networks. PIM effects can be caused by corroded connectors or poor antenna isolation, for example. Within buildings, distributed antenna systems (DAS) can be strongly affected by PIM due to the metal structures used to route cables.

Communication Components Inc. (CCI), a fast-growing provider of radio access network (RAN) technologies, has developed the PiMPro Tower Series PIM analyzer on the basis of its RAN expertise. Effective immediately, Rohde & Schwarz has exclusive global sales rights for the PiMPro Tower Series. The analyzer ideally complements the extensive mobile network testing portfolio from Rohde & Schwarz, which includes T&M solutions for compliance, installation, optimization, operation and benchmarking of mobile networks.

Service teams in the field who install and maintain mobile radio base stations are able to rapidly detect sources of errors using, for example, the portable R&S ZVH cable and antenna analyzer from Rohde & Schwarz. The analyzer performs fast and error-free VSWR, cable loss, distance-to-fault and power measurements. The PiMPro Tower Series - offered by Rohde & Schwarz at an attractive price - optimally enhances this functionality by adding PIM test capability, which becomes increasingly important.

The particularly lightweight instrument, which comes in a practical backpack, is ideal for use on transmitter masts. The user-friendly analyzer offers two 40 W output signals for PIM tests, making it the only instrument of its kind to address real-world challenges in the field. Even in battery mode, it can deliver this high output power for up to three hours. Users are able to perform PIM, return loss, distance-to-PIM and distance-to-fault measurements without requiring additional hardware, even in difficult-to-access areas. Its excellent measurement sensitivity of -135 dBm and its ability to reduce two-tone transmit signals to 24 dBm (100 mW) make the PIM analyzer the ideal instrument for measurements on base stations and DAS.

The PiMPro Tower Series from CCI is now available from Rohde & Schwarz.

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