Keysight offers one-box tester for femtocell manufacturing
September 12, 2014. Keysight Technologies Inc. has announced the E6650A EXF wireless test set, a one-box tester dedicated to femtocell manufacturing. The EXF delivers the speed, performance, and scalability needed to ramp up production and lower the cost of test. Validation with the latest cellular and WLAN chipsets reduces start-up time.
The EXF reduces overall test time through hardware and software elements optimized for speed. Each unit can be configured with up to four transmit/receive (TRX) modules, each of which is a complete vector signal analyzer and vector signal generator (VSA/VSG). In addition, each TRX has two full-duplex and two half-duplex ports, enabling users to create high-density multi-port test stations.
A multi-channel EXF can test multiple devices-under-test and supports the use of parallel, sequential, and hybrid methods in a single chassis. Capabilities such as advanced sequencing and single-acquisition multiple measurements (SAMM) further reduce test time.
“As small cells gain momentum, keeping pace with growing demand and aggressive schedules is easier with access to deeper knowledge,” said Satish Dhanasekaran, marketing manager of Keysight’s Microwave and Communications Division. “With our expertise in the testing of high-performance base stations and high-volume user devices, local Keysight application specialists can fine-tune the EXF to help manufacturers accelerate time-to-volume in femtocell manufacturing.”
To meet the testing needs of multi-format designs, the EXF supports 2G, 3G, 4G, and WLAN with frequency coverage up to 6 GHz and bandwidth of up to 160 MHz in each TRX. Specific formats include LTE FDD and LTE TDD in cellular and 802.11a, b, g, n, and ac in WLAN. As requirements change, the ability to upgrade capabilities such as frequency range and channel count ensures easy evolution and investment protection.
Because Keysight has validated the EXF with leading cellular and WLAN chipsets, femtocell manufacturers can quickly ramp up from product introduction to volume manufacturing. To simplify test automation, the EXF includes standardized SCPI commands and reference drivers.
For faster test migration, the EXF is compatible with the Keysight X-Series signal analyzers and signal generators commonly used in R&D. Because the EXF uses the same X-Series measurement applications, it delivers repeatable results that enable a seamless transition to manufacturing.