Aeroflex Extends LTE Measurement Capabilities to its PXI Platform
The PXI 3000 Series Modular Test Platform is the cost-effective, low risk production test solution to accelerate time to volume for LTE devices
4G World(TM) 2009-Chicago-September 16, 2009-Aeroflex, the leading global provider of Long Term Evolution (LTE) test equipment today announced it has added new LTE measurement capabilities to its flexible, modular PXI 3000 platform. This latest addition enables production test engineers to achieve faster time to volume for RF components and LTE user equipment. The new solution leverages itself on Aeroflex's track record in LTE testing for R&D and the proven yield and throughput benefits of the PXI 3000 Series platform in mobile handset manufacturing.
Aeroflex's new measurement suite option for the PXI 3000 allows production test system engineers to use low-cost modular PXI equipment to characterize LTE terminals, chipsets and RF components. LTE terminals will feature the coexistence of LTE with legacy standards in the same device. Support for multiple cellular standards in a single test platform is key to improve production yield and reduce test times.
The new measurement suite is complemented by the new LTE waveform generation capabilities of Aeroflex IQCreator® software, which supports the PXI 3000 Series as well as the Aeroflex 3410 Series of bench-top digital RF signal generators, making them ideal for LTE RF component test.
"The new LTE test support for the PXI 3000 Series further strengthens Aeroflex's LTE test offering and complements our other test platforms such as the 3410 and 7100, enabling the fastest path from R&D to low cost manufacturing test and providing reduced risk in achieving the best time to volume," said Tim Carey, PXI product manager at Aeroflex.
Aeroflex's PXI 3000 and 7100 platforms share much in common, simplifying the migration from R&D to manufacturing. The same software algorithms underpin both platforms and comparable RF performance is achieved, so equipment used by R&D engineers will give results that correlate very well with measurements in the factory. This can eliminate delays that occur when a range of instrument types behave differently and require time-consuming troubleshooting to overcome the discrepancies.
Upcoming deployments of LTE networks around the world and a strong forecast in consumer demand for 4G services mean the ramp to volume manufacturing must be supported by a flexible test solution that will strengthen production output. The PXI 3000 platform achieves this by reducing test times and costs, enabling future capacity expansions while maintaining performance and accuracy levels comparable to that of the R&D system.
The leading products in the Aeroflex LTE product portfolio will be showcased in booth 110 of the 4G World exhibit in Chicago on September 16 and 17.
About the LTE FDD Measurement Suite
The new LTE FDD Measurement Suite for the PXI 3000 Series enables characterization of LTE FDD signals in accordance with the requirements outlined in 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 8. This allows LTE analysis of the single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) uplink and Aeroflex will soon be adding OFDMA downlink support as well. In addition to numerical measurement results, the measurement suite provides trace displays for spectrum emission mask (SEM), complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF), constellation plots, error-vector magnitude (EVM) vs. carrier, and EVM vs. symbol. Capabilities expand across the entire range of possible frequencies and bandwidths, from 1.4 to 20 MHz, when used with any of Aeroflex's PXI modules.
About IQ Creator Version 8.10
IQCreator® is a Windows®-based software application that enables a user to set up a modulation scheme and create an ARB file for use in conjunction with the PXI 3020 Series modular signal generators and the 3410 Series bench-top digital RF signal generators. IQCreator® Version 8.10 adds complete LTE FDD support for the PXI 3000 Series RF modular instrument and 3410 Series digital signal generators enabling uplink and downlink LTE stimulus response measurements on components used in LTE based products.
Availability
IQCreator® Version 8.10 is now available and can be downloaded from the Aeroflex website. Version 8.10 of IQCreator® is shipping now with all new 3020 Series PXI signal generator modules fitted with option 100.
To arrange a demonstration of the new LTE FDD Measurement Suite for the PXI 3000 Series contact your Aeroflex sales representative at (800) 853-2352 or info-test@aeroflex.com.
About Aeroflex Test Solutions
Aeroflex Test Solutions is a global leader in the Test and Measurement Instrumentation marketplace. Its products support a wide range of industries including aerospace, defense and wireless mobile and broadband communications. Its proven solutions encompass a full spectrum of instrumentation from turnkey systems, stand alone boxes and modular components that provide customers with highly reliable, customized, innovative and cost effective tools for solving their test and measurement requirements.
About Aeroflex
Aeroflex Incorporated is a global provider of high technology solutions to the aerospace, defense, cellular and broadband communications markets. The Company's diverse technologies allow it to design, develop, manufacture and market a broad range of test, measurement and microelectronic products. Aeroflex Incorporated was founded in 1937 and today has more than 2,600 employees worldwide. Additional information concerning Aeroflex Incorporated can be found on the company's website: www.aeroflex.com.
Tarah Hartzler
McClenahan Bruer Communications
(503) 546-1014
tarah@mcbru.com
James E. De Broeck
Aeroflex Incorporated
(316) 522-4981
jim.debroeck@aeroflex.com
