RF Scanner supports LTE and EvDO operation.April 28, 2009 -
Providing simultaneous multi-band and multi-mode RF measurements, Long-Term Evolution Scanner supports LTE baseband scanning in 700 MHz bands while supporting EvDO scanning of 850/1,900 MHz bands. Software-Defined Radio solution is fully programmable and provides both received signal strength indication and technology-specific baseband decoding. Featuring out-of-band signal rejection, RoHS-compliant scanner is suited to carriers deploying 4th generation broadband wireless data networks.
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Original Press release
Ascom (Sweden) AB
Grimbodalen 2, P.O. Box 8783
Göteborg, , SE-402 76
Sweden
Ascom Introduces High Performance LTE Scanner
-- Ascom's newest scanner solution supports LTE and EvDO operation, offering simultaneous 3G/4G high performance, multi-band RF scanning, while simplifying advanced analysis of LTE deployments --
LAKE FOREST, Calif., April 13 /-- Ascom Inc., an industry-leading supplier of wireless test systems for field applications and network performance optimization, today announced the availability of its Long-Term Evolution (LTE) 700 MHz spectrum scanning receiver solution, which supports simultaneous multiband and multi-mode RF measurements. The new scanner design supports LTE baseband scanning in the 700 MHz bands while simultaneously supporting EvDO scanning of the 850/1900 MHz bands, simplifying deployment of multi-mode LTE/EvDO systems and offering advanced baseband decoding analysis for LTE deployment. An enhancement of Ascom's existing leading RF scanner design, this third generation Software-Defined Radio (SDR) solution builds on Ascom's proven technology while serving to increase its utility and improve performance at the same time.
"The addition of LTE support extends the capability of our leading multi-technology scanning receiver family to the 700 MHz frequency band and it adds 4G capabilities to our evolving scanner range," said Mark Chapman, president and general manager of Ascom Inc. "Our multiband, dual-mode scanner is ideally suited to carriers deploying new and exciting fourth generation broadband wireless data networks in the U.S., and I believe this further demonstrates our commitment to lead the market for multi-technology scanning solutions."
Supporting precise measurements of the downlink signal strength in 850 MHz, 1900 MHz, and 700 MHz bands, the scanner is offered in three forms: as a standalone scanner product, as an upgrade to Ascom's popular Symphony(TM) Quality of Service (QoS) wireless network benchmarking and optimization products, and as an OEM version for integration with third party test and monitoring equipment.
The scanner module is fully programmable and supports simultaneous scanning of multiple technologies (CDMA-1x, EvDO, and LTE) and provides both received signal strength indication (RSSI) and high performance, technology specific baseband decoding. As with previous designs, CDMA modes deliver Ec/Io, Ec/Ep, individual Walsh code measurements, All PN scan, and an automated Top PN scan. The unit's rapid CDMA scan rate of 100ms/512 PNs coupled with high precision measurements offers unparalleled analysis capabilities for CDMA operators, simplifying pilot pollution detection and neighbor list optimization as well as identifying "island cell" conditions and other timing related and multi-path interference induced issues.
Similarly, the LTE mode provides E-UTRA carrier RSSI, Reference Symbol received power, Ec/No and SIR on the primary and secondary synchronization signals, Cell IDs, Cell Master Information Block data, Cell System Information Block data, MIMO reference signals, Ec/Io, SIR, and CCIR, and a wealth of other LTE RF information. The LTE scanner performs synchronization detection at a rate of six LTE channels per second.
As with all Ascom scanners, the LTE scanner's high performance RF front-end offers superior out-of-band signal rejection and high frequency stability, and its robust design ensures accurate measurements even in the presence of strong interfering signals. This makes it ideal for operations where absolute RF accuracy of all signals is required, such as RF propagation validation, automated frequency planning data collection, and network optimization. Its high IP3 also provides operational resilience in applications where close proximity to other transmitting antennas can induce intermodulation interference such as drive test and competitive benchmarking programs. The scanner is intended for use by carriers deploying cellular voice and data services in the AWS frequency block and in applications such as spectrum clearing, initial deployment, and network service coverage determination. It also offers cellular operators the ability to add extended service coverage monitoring to their existing QoS benchmarking programs.
Built to exacting standards, the Ascom scanning receivers are fully RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliant and designed to operate reliably in real world field conditions and under harsh operating environments, ensuring integrity of data collection and maximizing engineering productivity.
About LTE
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) targets requirements of next-generation networks including downlink peak rates of at least 100 Mbit/s, 50 Mbit/s in the uplink, and RAN (Radio Access Network) round-trip times of less than 10 ms. LTE supports flexible carrier bandwidths, from 1.4 MHz up to 20 MHz, as well as both FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) and TDD (Time Division Duplex).
The goals for LTE include improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving services, making use of new spectrum and refarmed spectrum opportunities, and better integration with other open standards. The architecture that will result from this work is called EPS (Evolved Packet System) and comprises EUTRAN (Evolved UTRAN) on the access side and EPC (Evolved Packet Core) on the core side. EPC is also known as SAE (System Architecture Evolution), and E-UTRAN is also known as LTE.
The main advantages of LTE are high throughput, low latency, plug-and-play from day one, FDD and TDD in the same platform, superior end-user experience, and simple architecture, resulting in low operating expenditures. LTE will also support seamless connection to existing networks, such as GSM, CDMA, and WCDMA. However, LTE requires a completely new RAN and core network deployment and is not backward compatible with existing UMTS systems.
About Ascom
Ascom is an international solution provider with comprehensive technological know-how in mission-critical communication. The company concentrates on the core areas of Wireless Solutions (high-value, customer-specific on-site communications solutions) and Security Solutions (applications for security, communication and control systems for infrastructure operators, public security institutions, and the Army). The company has subsidiaries in 17 countries and a workforce of some 2,000 employees worldwide. Ascom registered shares (ASCN) are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich. For more information, visit www.ascom.com.
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