Test mobile with DC-HSDPA support is a first says Aeroflex

DC-HSDPA extends the resource utilisation and spectrum efficiency of existing W-CDMA networks by providing an alternative method to HSPA+ to increase peak data rates in the downlink to a maximum 42Mbps. This is achieved by enabling handsets to take advantage of two adjacent 5MHz channels on the same Node B at the same time to create 10MHz downlink bandwidth. Unlike HSPA+, DC-HSDPA delivers a peak data rate of 42Mbps without the need for MIMO spatial multiplexing and the associated, potentially costly, basestation (Node B) hardware and antenna upgrades this can entail. As a result, DC-HSDPA facilitates improved network efficiency and load balancing through better resource allocation and frequency selectivity as well as delivering improved Quality of Service (QoS) for users in poor environments where MIMO is not necessarily an option.



“The Aeroflex TM500 is the first test mobile to support the new DC-HSDPA feature, reinforcing its market-leading position,” said Tim Beard, HSPA+ Product Manager at Aeroflex Test Solutions. “With operators continually looking for ways to improve the performance and extend the life of their existing networks at minimal cost, we expect significant take up of DC-HSDPA. Support for DC-HSDPA on the TM500 provides them with the early access to the test features they need.”



Addressing the challenges of 3G and 4G network infrastructure development test and rollout, the TM500 is used by every major infrastructure vendor and the majority of femtocell manufacturers worldwide, making it the defacto industry standard test mobile. From HSDPA through HSUPA and HSPA+ to LTE, the Aeroflex TM500 offers all the capabilities of a mobile terminal with advanced test functionality for comprehensive 3GPP verification, validation and optimisation. The Aeroflex TM500 provides low level handset UE control and configuration flexibility, combined with the detailed measurement data required by infrastructure engineers to rapidly diagnose engineering issues. However, testing a single basestation against a single mobile is not sufficient. Scheduling algorithms need to be optimised and the basestation needs to be load tested. The Aeroflex TM500 not only provides the ability to test a basestation and network against a single mobile both in the lab and over the air, but also supports multi-UE configurations enabling basestation and core network designs to be load tested, stressed and optimised to ensure that robust, flexible and high performance solutions are delivered to network operators.