Telecom test and measurement (T&M) vendor Agilent Technologies today unveiled LTE- Advanced uplink 4×4 MIMO signal generation solution to verify FDD and TDD LTE-A Evolved Node B receivers.
The solution – which is a world’s first — comprises N7624B/25B Signal Studio for LTE/LTE-Advanced FDD/TDD software with newly added support for UL 4×4 MIMO.
Jim Curran, marketing manager of Agilent’s Microwave and Communications Division, said: “Our UL 4×4 MIMO test solution further complements Agilent’s comprehensive portfolio of LTE-Advanced signal-generation and analysis solutions.”
The eNB is required to support up to 8×8 MIMO in the downlink, while user equipment is required to support up to 4×4 MIMO in UL. After the recent UL 4×4 MIMO enhancement, Signal Studio is equipped to meet this requirement. Support for DL 8×8 MIMO was introduced last year.
In any MIMO system, ensuring the receiver correctly decodes the MIMO signal is paramount. Signal Studio with UL 4×4 MIMO support allows engineers to generate a simulated 4×4 MIMO signal and download waveforms into multiple signal generators (e.g., Agilent MXG) or a baseband generator and channel emulator (e.g., Agilent PXB) for use during eNB receiver test.
This capability is ideal for R&D engineers working in LTE-A early engagement, where access to real UE is generally not available. With the enhanced Signal Studio for LTE/LTE-A solution, engineers have a good replacement for UE at the early stage of the LTE-A standard and can evaluate their receivers, said Agilent Technologies.
Digital pre-distortion is a new capability being added to the LTE/LTE-A Signal Studio software. Also new is real-time LTE signal generation support for the Test Case Manager software, which works with Signal Studio.
The DPD capability works with Signal Studio’s envelope tracking function to help developers test ET power amplifiers. Using the capability, developers can apply DPD to their RF and ET signals before they are fed into an ET PA or power supply.
With support for real-time LTE signal generation now available in Test Case Manager, engineers working on LTE base stations can better handle the LTE receiver conformance testing defined by 3GPP TS36.141 (including clause 7 and 8).
Test Case Manager enables engineers to perform complex standard-based tests with a streamlined user interface, saving time and effort and reducing inconsistencies in procedures and test results among multiple users.
Price:
| N7624/25B Signal Studio for LTE/LTE-Advanced FDD/TDD | ||
| Option TFP | Advanced LTE-Advanced FDD/TDD R10 | $3,339 |
| Option KFP | Envelope Tracking | $1,000 |
| N7649B Test Case Manager | ||
| Option ETP | LTE FDD and TDD eNB receiver tests | $1,000 |
