Field tool adds antenna and transmission line test

A Tektronix product story

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Mar 15, 2002

Tektronix' new YBA250 antenna and transmission line tester module for the NetTek field tool adds the capability to execute antenna and transmission line tests.

To meet subscriber expectations for coverage and quality of service (QoS), wireless network operators are constantly striving to accelerate their basestation support activities, including installation, commissioning, maintenance, and repair.

All these activities typically involve a series of base transceiver station (BTS) measurements.

Tektronix' new YBA250 antenna and transmission line tester module for the NetTek field tool adds the capability to execute antenna and transmission line tests at the BTS, supplementing existing features including radio frequency (RF) and modulation measurements for basestations.

"By adding antenna test capability to the NetTek platform, Tektronix' continues to expand its already strong portfolio of applications available to network operators", said Johannes Schaedel, Vice President, Mobile Business, Tektronix.

"With the new antenna test module, network operators can quickly identify and locate faults, speeding repair time and reducing customer churn".

The new module provides a cost-effective solution for antenna performance tests such as return loss, cable loss, and voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR).

In addition, the distance-to-fault measurement enables quick detection and localisation of problems in a BTS antenna system and its cable feed, speeding repair work when antenna problems occur.

Tektronix' new antenna and transmission line tester's factory calibration is valid across the entire frequency and temperature range of the instrument.

This enables users to save time and money by achieving acceptable accuracy while significantly reducing the need to perform frequent calibrations in the field.

The YBA250 module plugs into the rear-panel module bay of a Tektronix Y350C NetTek mainframe and joins other modules that may be installed, including the YBT250 BTS transmitter testing and interference analysis module.

In contrast to dedicated antenna test equipment, this modular architecture improves efficiency through a common user interface and keeps infrastructure costs down.

With just one instrument and one user interface to master, field technicians don't need lengthy training to operate the NetTek or its newest antenna test module.

After a brief familiarisation, users can rely on the tool's automated and menu-assisted test routines to provide accurate antenna measurement results quickly.

These results can be used to guide troubleshooting or may be delivered to the network's data management tools to track the basestation's health for preventive maintenance programmes.

The NetTek BTS field tool is a modular, portable mainframe that supports a variety of plug-in test options.

Modular configurations support BTS transmitter, RF and demodulation measurements to numerous wireless standards including UMTS/WCDMA, cdmaOne (IS-95), cdma2000, GSM 1800 and GSM 1900, AMPS, IS-136, and more.

Functions for testing T1 (YBT1) backhaul performance and now, antenna and transmission line performance can also be added.

The toolkit bridges the gap between expensive, full-compliance testing tools and low-cost, single-task instruments.

The platform's Windows CE-based user interface simplifies operation in the field, allowing field crews to complete their basestation tests quickly.

Designed specifically for the BTS field environment, the compact battery-powered tool, which weighs just over 4kg, is also easy to transport to remote sites.