Tektronix offer HSDPA in handheld wireless RF field tester

September 6, 2005

Tektronix announced the addition of the High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) software option to its NetTek Wireless RF Field Tester. Tektronix is the first manufacturer to provide HSDPA test and measurement capabilities in a handheld form factor, enabling network providers to more easily diagnose HSDPA NodeB transmitter problems and effectively manage their 3G mobile communications networks.

Consumer pressure to launch high-speed mobile services has drastically changed requirements for transport networks, which have been forced to rapidly evolve to keep pace with new service initiatives. HSDPA boosts the downlink data transmissions speed when using the WCDMA 3G wireless standard. The deployment of HSDPA enables network operators to boost downlink speeds and WCDMA capacity in a move toward mobile broadband, while at the same time reducing costs.

"Tektronix is focused on enabling customers to maximize the business potential of new technologies such as HSDPA," said Arif Kareem, General Manager, Wireless Field Test, Tektronix. "With the addition of the HSDPA capabilities to the NetTek Tester, Tektronix continues to offer the most comprehensive set of tests for wireless RF field test activities. The NetTek Tester is a portable, high performance, versatile and easy-to-use tool for RF field technicians and field engineers who are involved in installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, optimization and planning of current and next-generation mobile networks."

Standards like HSDPA measure the signal environment and adjust capacity dynamically using adaptive modulation and flexible encoding schemes. The HSDPA test capabilities added to the NetTek Wireless RF Field Tester allow RF technicians and performance engineers to accurately analyze NodeB transmitter performance and proficiently diagnose problems. The NetTek Tester also provides demodulation measurements including EVM which are critical to understanding the RF signal environment.