Adapter Reduces Cost Of 802.11n MIMO Testing

LitePoint's Multiport Test Adapter (MPTA) reduces the cost of R&D and manufacturing test of IEEE 802.11n multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) devices. The adapter works with low-cost, one-box test instruments from LitePoint and is supported by the company's IQfact family of automated test programs. The unit handles both industry-standard composite error vector magnitude (EVM) and fast-switching test methods, allowing multichannel MIMO devices to be accurately and comprehensively tested quickly and at minimum cost.

The MPTA's wide operating range (2 to 6 GHz) addresses both 802.11n Wi-Fi products and the anticipated 802.16e Wave 2 WiMAX products. The adapter features direct RF connections to the device under test and a single USB 2.0 interface for control and power from the test instrument. The composite and fast switch features offer the flexibility to implement complete and accurate manufacturing test solutions plus a common platform to deal with low-cost R&D, design verification, and quality-assurance needs. The closely coupled architecture ensures fast test execution, yielding lower test costs while optimizing critical MIMO test challenges like transmit and receive manufacturing test in MIMO mode, transmit and receive isolation testing, receiver sensitivity testing, and highly accurate EVM testing.