RF test system creates real-world lab conditions
19-01-2016 | By Paul Whytock
A constant pressure for manufacturers of mobile communication technology is the relentless challenge to rapidly implement new mobile devices and infrastructure that is equipped with more features and technologies like MIMO, Carrier Aggregation and voice-over-LTE. Not surprisingly, testing procedures have to evolve to effectively deal with these design pressures.
Ideally test systems should employ data captured in the field to create test routines by emulating real-world RF network conditions in a controlled laboratory environment. Such a test solution could significantly reduce unnecessary field-testing and potentially accelerate network rollout.
Simulated network support for its Virtual Drive Testing Toolset (VDT Toolset) that lets users benchmark mobile devices in a controlled environment has been developed by wireless test specialists Anite.
The VDT Toolset offers realistic RF and network simulations which enables mobile operators and device manufacturers to perform a larger quantity of device testing in the laboratory rather than the field.
The system employs network signaling and RF propagation log data, captured in the field using drive test tools, to reproduce a realistic mobile device performance testing environment in the laboratory.
It uses a range of Anite IP and products including the Propsim F32 Channel Emulator.
The latest wireless technologies are now being adopted in new vertical market applications such as in the connected car, smart cities and high-speed train travel to deliver greater user opportunities and benefits. Anite says this toolset can effectively verify communication system connectivity reliability in these applications.
