Aeroflex test mobile supports DC-HSDPA feature

Building on the Aeroflex TM500's existing Release 7 HSPA+ solution, the launch of DC-HSDPA support provides network infrastructure equipment manufacturers with the early access to the test capabilities they need to speed its development and deployment.

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 basestation (Node B) hardware and antenna upgrades.

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.

Addressing the challenges of 3G and 4G network infrastructure development test and roll-out, the TM500 is used by major infrastructure vendors and the majority of femtocell manufacturers worldwide, making it the defacto industry standard test mobile, according to Aeroflex.

From HSDPA through HSUPA and HSPA+ to LTE, the Aeroflex TM500 offers all the capabilities of a mobile terminal with advanced test functionality for 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.