Anritsu Corporation has launched a new signalling tester, MD8475B, for research and development (R&D) professionals engaged in the performance evaluation of user equipment, supporting various communication standards, including the latest long term evolution (LTE)-advanced specifications. The MD8475B tester is specifically designed for R&D sections engaged in developing smartphones and running performance and IP layer throughput tests of the latest user equipment with four component carrier aggregation (4 CC CA) and 2×2 multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) technologies.

The new tester removes the need for test scenarios through SmartStudio state-machine software, which includes an easy-to-use u­ser interface and a stable automatic measurement environment.

The key features of the MD84758 signal analyser are as follows:

  • All-in-one support for 4CC CA and 2×2 MIMO evaluations: The MD8475B is the world’s first all-in-one tester supporting both 4CC CA and 2×2 MIMO with easy scenario-less operation using the SmartStudio GUI. It brings down equipment costs and saves workspace by eliminating the need for several meas­uring instruments to improve development efficiency.
  • Improved IP throughput test efficiency: The IP throughput test evaluation environment for 4CC requires the configuration of a high performance server environment. With its built-in IP generator function, the MD8475B simplifies the test environment by eliminating the need for an external server.
  • Expandable platform supporting frequency up to 6 GHz: The MD8475B platform is future-proof and expandable. Its design is optimised for evaluating user equipment using the 5 GHz unlicensed band driven by licensed assistance access for LTE specifications and WLAN.
  • Full backward compatibility with current signalling tester MD8475A and scenario-less SmartStudio user interface: SmartStudio facilitates quick and easy user equipment evalu­ation without requiring complex test scenarios. SmartStudio for signalling tester MD8475A has been the ideal test solution for many users at every stage, from the early development of LTE smartphones to the mature market, including call processing normal and quasi-normal tests, emergency and early warning tests such as mobility tests and Wi-Fi offload tests.

Further, SmartStudio plays a key role in improving development efficiency by offering seamless transitions to regression and stress tests done at the downstream of user equipment development processes where the automated test environment is required.

Apart from reusing the existing assets of test cases created with MD8475A, SmartStudio Manager can automate the ­enormous number of full network tests that are required by ­calculating the co­mbinations of CC numbers, MIMO numbers and supported wireless frequency bands required for LTE-advanced evaluations.