Aeroflex and w2bi agree to develop new LTE handset certification platform

“LTE is fast becoming the mobile broadband technology of choice worldwide for next-generation networks and our agreement with Aeroflex gives us access to essential technology from the recognised leader in LTE test,” said Ron Parmar, CEO of w2bi. “The quality deployment of mobile devices requires thorough testing both during development and for certification. Since LTE is a new and complex technology, certification testing assumes even greater significance. The new certification platform for LTE mobile devices is being developed to meet this challenge.”

The combination of Aeroflex’s highly successful 7100 LTE test system integrated with w2bi’s Q-GENERIC automated test solution will create a versatile LTE handset certification platform for network operators, device manufacturers and test labs worldwide. Complementing w2bi’s existing certification platforms for 2G and 3G networks, it will bundle all the elements needed for effective LTE network certification test to enable network operators to deliver the expected quality of customer experience and bring LTE handsets to market faster. Providing a complete turnkey solution, it will automate testing based on industry standards (3GPP and 3GPP2) as well as operator-specific LTE network implementations.

The incorporation of the Aeroflex 7100 provides a fully integrated RF interface, baseband and protocol stack to simulate the network from the physical layer to the core network IP infrastructure. It uniquely offers both parametric analysis and protocol logging and diagnostics. End-to-end IP connectivity allows the data throughput performance and latency to be assessed. With a base frequency range of up to 6GHz, the Aeroflex 7100 is designed to cope with both current and potential future spectrum allocations. It also features 2x2 MIMO and built in ‘fading’ simulation, allowing device throughput to be assessed in real-world conditions. A second RF carrier is also available for handover test scenarios, a major challenge for mobile device designers and a critical feature for new network roll-out.

“Our agreement with w2bi reinforces our leadership position in LTE test,” said Bill Burrows, Business Development Director for Aeroflex Test Solutions. “Quality of service is critical to the success of LTE. To guarantee the ideal customer experience, network operators need to ensure that certification test for mobile devices features strongly within their overall LTE test plans. With the Aeroflex 7100’s proven LTE test technology at its heart, the new platform delivers this vital capability.”

The new certification platform for LTE mobile devices will be available for initial delivery in Q3 2009.