News Release from: IFR Systems
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 11 February 2002
Radio test system gains GPRS capability
IFR Systems has added a GPRS handset testing capability to its 2935 radio test system.
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IFR Systems has added a GPRS handset testing capability to its 2935 radio test system. Designed specifically for service operations, the 2935 radio test system offers service organisations a convenient way to upgrade their workshop's testing capability. With GPRS-enabled handset sales expected to grow from $10 million worldwide in 2001 to $280 million in 2005, service organisations must upgrade their testing capabilities to keep up with the rapid adoption of GPRS.
The 2935 system, which includes the new GPRS firmware option coupled with IFR's PhoneTest management software, provides all the necessary signalling, test and analysis capability to quickly characterise transmitter and receiver performance of GPRS handsets.
The new GPRS firmware module includes CS1 and CS4 channel coding schemes for more accurate sensitivity tests, fast bit error Rate (BER) tests, ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) block error rate (BLER) tests and a mobile-initiated attach sequence.
The 2935 has been widely adopted by the service industry for GSM testing.
The 2935's new GPRS test module now allows full testing of GPRS handsets.
By using the "always on" feature of GPRS, combined with innovative testing functions developed by IFR, the 2935 allows workshop technicians to quickly change from GSM to GPRS test modes.
By allowing the GPRS test parameters to differ from the GSM parameters, the 2935 and IFR's PhoneTest software enable instant changeover from GSM to GPRS when used in manual mode.
No additional parameters are required.
Clicking on the GPRS button in the PhoneTest menu transitions the tests automatically.
The 2935 GPRS option provides extensive test features, including mobile-initiated GPRS attach sequence, cell transfer and control channel configuration for GPRS parameters.
The 2935 GPRS option also offers fast BER testing using ETSI-specified BER Test Mode B with a user-defined failure percentage and a number of samples, as well as ETSI-defined and user-configurable BLER tests.
The 2935 can establish "true" sensitivity by testing both BER and BLER sensitivity using the extremes of the four available channel coding schemes: CS1, which has channel correction for robust communication; and CS4, with no channel correction for maximum datarates.
The 2935 is a high-speed test head.
It is combined with IFR's Windows-based PhoneTest software to meet the ever-increasing demands of mobile handset repair workshops, where the key requirements are speed of test, flexibility and low cost of ownership.
The 2935 supports both GPRS and GSM testing.
The 2935 test system has all the protocol control necessary to carry out both GPRS and GSM transmitter and receiver measurements.
PhoneTest provides the user interface for automatic and manual control of the 2935 high-speed test head.
PhoneTest allows the storage and retrieval of test and repair information, generation of warranty claim forms, repair hints based on the analysis of past repairs, management reporting, and repair process tracking.
PhoneTest also provides interchange of data with existing computer systems.
The recommended minimum system for running PhoneTest is a PC with 166MHs Pentium-equivalent processor, 64Mbyte RAM, serial port and Microsoft Windows 95, 98 or NT.
In addition to PhoneTest, IFR also offers a workshop management software module to streamline the entire repair process.
With the workshop management option, PhoneTest not only acts as the user interface for the 2935, but also integrates results into the user's repair system, increasing throughput and reducing costs.
The management option provides the traceability tools demanded by manufacturers and retailers when awarding service contracts.
Workshop management users reduce errors that result from repetitive manual entries, ensure that only good handsets leave the workshop, provide warranty paperwork for each manufacturer, trace all activity for audit purposes, communicate with existing management system databases for automatic updating of job status and provide workshop management reports.
The 2935 GSM radio test system with PhoneTest is priced at US $11,394.
The GPRS Test Option 01 is priced at US $4000.
Field upgrades are available for existing customers with 2935 units that have had the required RAM upgrade installed previously.
For 2935 units that need the RAM upgrade, it is priced at US $395.
The cost of the RAM upgrade can be offset against the cost of the GPRS upgrade.
Units must be returned to an authorised IFR service facility to have the RAM installed.
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