Test of High-Speed HSPA+ Wireless Devices 

29 April 2011 - Anritsu introduces a software option for its MD8480C W-CDMA/GSM Signaling Tester that enables testing for the latest W-CDMA/GSM devices supporting simultaneous 64QAM and MIMO. The MX848001E-17 Simultaneous 64QAM/MIMO option enables the MD8480C Signaling Tester to conduct protocol-based testing on new W-CDMA/GSM wireless devices that incorporate this feature.

Simultaneous 64QAM/MIMO offers network operators and consumers 42 MB/s download speeds similar to DC-HSDPA, with the advantage that spectrum is conserved through use of a single 5 MHz channel rather than the two channels required for DC-HSDPA. With this option, the MD8480C now supports all W-CDMA data rates, from 12.2 kB/s voice calls to 42 MB/s data calls, including new category 17, 18, 19, and 20.

“We are proud to be able to offer support for both 3GPP evolutionary paths - LTE and HSPA+,” said Wade Hulon, Vice President and General Manager of Anritsu Company. “This new software option for the MD8480C underscores our commitment to support industry test requirements for the HSPA+ path, as data rates advance to 4G rates. We look forward to supporting further advances of HSPA+, as data rates trend even higher to support consumer demands for high-speed data.”

A W-CDMA/GSM-capable signaling tester, the MD8480C supports protocol-based W-CDMA/GSM test requirements, with up to four W-CDMA and two GSM base stations on up to two RF channels. The MD8480C is used as a component of Anritsu’s Conformance Test (CT) systems, including the ME7873F W-CDMA RF CT System and ME7832A Protocol CT System. In addition, the MD8480C is used for inter-RAT handover test cases in the ME7873L LTE RF CT System and ME7832L LTE Protocol CT System. The MD8480C is also available as a component of the ME7834A/L Mobile Device Test Platform, providing support for R&D, operator acceptance, and protocol CT.

The MD8480C is available in a range of configurations and the MX848001E-17 software option can be easily added to MD8480Cs with E-version base station cards. Upgrades to MD8480C testers with C-version base station cards and the MD8480B signaling tester are available.