Suite Specializes In Testing Wireless Products

Testing hardware and software have been combined to create, reportedly for the first time, high-performance RF testers in a PXI-based chassis. The 3000 series presently consists of four PXI modules and supporting applications for signal generation and analysis that meet GSM/EDGE and WCDMA/UMTS mobile phone testing requirements. The PXI wireless test system includes a RF synthesizer, digital signal generator, digitizer and combiner, as well as GSM/EDGE and UMTS measurement suites and IQ Creator and VSS waveform creation tools. The system can be used for: automatic measurement of terminal transmitter and receiver parametric performance; terminal TX and RX alignment and performance characterization for manufacturing; and for R&D. The 3000 series has also brought PXI's speed and modularity into the realm of general-purpose wireless testing. For example, the 2.5-GHz signal generator can be used for continuous wave (CW) and digital signal generation for wireless device testing and characterization. The hardware modules are configured and controlled by a device driver implemented using National Instruments's Virtual Instrument Software Architecture (VISA). The modules range from $2,500 to $11,000 in price, and the suites and tools cost from $1,500 to $3,500. For more details, contact AEROFLEX INC., Plainview, NY. (516) 694-6700.