The latest LTE-Advanced technology offers faster download speeds than its LTE predecessor and is being deployed increasingly worldwide to cope with higher data traffic volumes. The key technologies in achieving these faster speeds are carrier aggregation (CA), which aggregates several component carriers together, and MiMo, which uses multiple input and output antennas. They result in a complex test environment due to the increased number of RF ports. In addition, the need for Inter-RAT tests with existing legacy systems requires a tester with stable support of both the legacy and the latest standards all in one platform.
To meet these needs Anritsu has developed the all-in-one MD8475B tester offering a 4CC CA test environment for development testing of LTE-Advanced terminals.
The MD8475B tester is designed for the development testing of smartphones – running performance tests and IP layer throughput tests of the latest devices equipped with four component carrier aggregation (4CA) and 2x2 MiMo technologies. It removes the needs for users to develop own test scenarios by using SmartStudio state-machine software featuring an easy-to-use GUI and a stable automatic measurement environment.
The MD8475B is fully backward compatibility with the current Signalling Tester MD8475A and scenario-less Smart Studio GUI. This is achieved by using a common control and signaling environment for both models, whilst the new B model introduces a greater number of RF ports (for 4CA and MiMo) and capability to operate the RF carriers up to 6 GHz, as well as a higher throughput measurement capability.
