High-speed downlink packet access on test

Rohde and Schwarz has a complete range of test and measurement solutions for HSDPA.

The 3GPP completed the specification for HSDPA, an expansion of WCDMA, in spring 2004.

With high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), mobile network operators can offer their customers technically even more sophisticated multimedia services.

Rohde and Schwarz already supports the introduction of this new technology with a complete range of test and measurement solutions for HSDPA.

Tests on mobile radio equipment can be performed using the R and S CRTU-W protocol tester as well as the R and S CMU200 universal radiocommunications tester, which is the world's first radiocommunications tester that can handle the new standard.

The R and S SMU200A vector signal generator, FSQ vector signal analyser and FSP and FSU spectrum analysers, as well as the R and S FSMU-W basestation tester and the R and S CMU300 universal radiocommunications tester, are also equipped with HSDPA functionality.

Furthermore, Rohde and Schwarz is currently upgrading its conformance test systems to comply with the new specification.

UMTS already makes high-speed, high-quality data services possible.

HSDPA takes this a step further by using new techniques to increase data throughput and the data transmission rates from basestations to UMTS mobile phones to more than 10Mbit/s.

Rohde and Schwarz has adapted its mobile radio test and measurement equipment to meet the requirements of this standard.

The CRTU-W protocol tester supports HSDPA measurements on user equipment from development right up to conformance testing.

It uses layer 1 test software to check the adaptive modulation and coding as well as the hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) protocol, which was introduced with HSDPA to achieve data transmission that is as robust as possible.

If the mobile phone receives faulty data, it requests it again from the basestation in the uplink; the basestation then changes the modulation mode and channel coding in the downlink as necessary when it repeats the transmission.

The uplink is the connection from the mobile phone to the basestation, the downlink the connection from the basestation to the mobile phone.

With the C++ programming interface of the protocol tester, users can create their own test scenarios for HSDPA.

In addition, TTCN test cases for HSDPA conformance tests will soon be available on the R and S CRTU-W.

Rohde and Schwarz is actively supporting the ETSI standardisation committee in generating these TTCN test cases.

A software option expands the R and S CMU200 for the HSDPA mobile radio standard, making the instrument the world's first radiocommunications tester with HSDPA functionalities already implemented.

In non-signalling mode, the R and S CMU200 can generate HSDPA signals in the class up to 3.6Mbit/s in the downlink.

In the uplink, it evaluates the signals from the mobile phone to the basestation.

This interaction between downlink and uplink takes place in real-time in layer 1.

At the generator end, users can choose from predefined test scenarios and configuration elements in line with the 3GPP TS 34.121 specification.

Downlink parameters can be individually configured, either manually or by remote control.

The R and S CMU200 quickly adapts the modulation mode, channel coding and power in the downlink to the current radio channel conditions.

The radiocommunications tester also performs all the RF measurements of the five main groups: power, modulation, spectrum, code domain power and receiver sensitivity.

The CRTU-W and CMU200 can already handle datarates up to 10Mbit/s.

For RF measurements on HSDPA basestations, Rohde and Schwarz has added the required functionality to its CMU300 and FSMU-W basestation testers.

The CMU300 enables fast and extremely precise measurements for serial applications during production and regression tests.

The FSMU-W combines the high-end SMU200A vector signal generator with the FSQ vector signal analyser.

It can meet especially high requirements and can thus be used from development to production.

The HSDPA software options for the SMU200A vector signal generator and for the FSQ, FSP and FSU signal and spectrum analysers provide a wide range of test functions for the development of transmission and reception components of basestations and mobile stations.

To round out its test and measurement solutions for HSDPA, Rohde and Schwarz is currently upgrading its TS8950W and TS8952W test systems for the new standard, which will allow conformity tests to be performed in accordance with the prescribed specifications.

The complete range of T and M products for HSDPA can now be ordered from Rohde and Schwarz.

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