
Europe
: Racal Instruments Wireless Solutions (RIWS), an Aeroflex company,
has announced its enhanced and upgraded 3G base station test system,
the 6413A. The 6413A has been designed to help network operators rigorously
test their networks prior to roll-out and to guarantee continued quality
of service. It is expected to replicate the success of RIWS' market
leading 6113 base station test system used by virtually every manufacturer
and operator in the world with sales standing at over 2,000 units.
Traditional
base station test systems focus on transmitter testing mainly because
receiver testing is inherently complex and difficult. The 6413A's
lub control is a unique feature allowing network operators to carry
out both receiver and transmitter testing. Operators that conduct
transmitter only tests or just use a test mobile to make test calls
risk failing to meet their expected quality of service. This feature
makes the 6413A unrivalled in the level of test coverage it can provide
and the thoroughness with which operators can test all aspects of
a base station's performance. In addition to increasing confidence
levels in the performance of 3G networks as they are rolled out, a
further benefit of receiver testing is that it allows operators to
identify any gradual degradation in base station performance that
may be missed by conventional network monitoring tools.
Commenting
on the importance of the 6413A to the industry, Stephen Hire, RIWS'
marketing manager said, "As mobile networks have matured, subscribers
have become less tolerant of poor quality of service. This makes it
all the more important for network operators to ensure that their
base stations are properly installed and then adequately maintained
on an ongoing basis."
The new
6413A is more compact for increased portability and is even easier
to use than its predecessor the 6413, incorporating embedded touch-screen
technology. Orders are now being taken and the majority of initial
sales are expected in Europe and APAC.