Europe Netherlands : Yokogawa Electric Corporation has developed a test software option for the VC3300 wireless communication tester that supports the TD-SCDMA third generation (3G) mobile telecommunications system now being considered for commercialisation in China. Shipment of this software option will commence at the end of December.
The VC3300 wireless communication tester tests mobile-phone base station connections and wireless communication characteristics with high speed and high accuracy. When test software supporting communication systems such as GSM and WCDMA are installed on the VC3300, it can test mobile phones that are based on both of these standards.
With installation of the newly developed TD-SCDMA test software option, the VC3300 can be used on production lines or at repair centres to test TD-SCDMA mobile phones. Since the test function for this communication system is provided as a software option, no hardware modification is required.
Development background
WCDMA and other 3G wireless communications standards are rapidly entering commercial use, particularly in Japan, Europe, and North America. TD-SCDMA is one such standard, and it is being developed for use in China. In preparation for the next year's Beijing Olympics, major cities around the country are planning to expand their test networks and start fully-fledged commercial services. TD-SCDMA mobile phones will also support GSM, which is a second-generation standard already used in China, and are planned to operate as dual-mode terminals. In response to these needs in China, Yokogawa has added TD-SCDMA terminal testing functions to the VC3300 that support both GSM and TD-SCDMA.
Product features
1. Easy configuration for specific applications
The measurement function for each communication system is provided as a software option. This means that the function for a new communication standard can be added by simply purchasing additional software, thus eliminating the need for hardware modification.
2. Accurate testing functions
The test option enables the VC3300 to conduct transmitter and receiver characteristic tests as well as voice loopback tests in a call connected state. The tuning of chipsets in a TxRx mode non-call state is also supported. In which the connection of mobile phones to the tester is established using a dedicated testing process, in place of an ordinary connection.
Major target markets
The enhanced VC3300 is aimed at the development, production, quality assurance, and service departments of mobile phone manufacturers
Applications
The test software option makes the VC3300 ideal for tuning testing and shipment approval testing of call connections, wireless characteristics, voice calls, etc. for TD-SCDMA mobile phone terminals
Yokogawa's commitment to this field
Yokogawa is a pioneer in this industry. In November 1997, it introduced to the market a W-CDMA evaluation system for signal generation/analysis. This was the first W-CDMA evaluation system to be provided by a measuring instrument manufacturer, and it attracted much attention.
In July 2002, Yokogawa released the world's first W-CDMA service tester, the VC100, and began worldwide sales of the VC200 W-CDMA mobile phone tester with a GSM measurement function. The VC3300 is designed for tuning testing and shipment approval testing in mobile phone manufacturing plants. In comparison to conventional products in its class, the VC3300 makes no compromise in measurement speed or accuracy, for a much lower cost.
About Yokogawa Test & Measurement
Yokogawa Test & Measurement Division, which trades in Europe under the name of Yokogawa Measurement Technologies, is a major worldwide force in the test & measurement market, with products that include portable test instruments, recorders and data-acquisition systems, semiconductor-related test systems, oscilloscopes, power meters, and wireless and optical communications test equipment.