Forum to Certify CDMA2000 / 3G LTE Multimode Devices
Forum to Certify CDMA2000 / 3G LTE Multimode Devices
31st March, 2009
US : The CDMA Certification Forum(R) (CCF) announced it is working directly with several operators and vendors from around the world to meet their requirements for testing and certifying LTE devices and their aggressive LTE network deployment schedules. The testing and acceptance of CDMA2000(R)/LTE multimode devices will abide by the specifications outlined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2). Depending upon the stability of the LTE standard, test cases are expected to be available by mid-2010 from 3GPP, with 3GPP2-based eHRPD interworking test cases available earlier -- in the third quarter of 2009.
The CCF is developing its test plan, test cases and scripts to certify CDMA2000/LTE WorldMode(TM) devices to ensure that CDMA2000 operators are among the first to deploy LTE on a commercial basis. Creating comprehensive test cases to certify CDMA2000/LTE inter-technology system determination and hand-offs is one of the CCF's highest priorities during this critical development period, and CCF members are currently collaborating with 3GPP RAN5 and 3GPP2 SWG4.2 to develop these test cases. The CCF is also working closely with the Global Certification Forum (GCF) to align the proposed LTE certification requirements and priorities and implement a common certification solution, enabling manufacturers to test once for multiple certifications and minimize the development time and cost-to-market.
"It is our aim to ensure CDMA2000/LTE devices will work properly on both LTE and CDMA2000 networks without any compromises," remarked Thomas Erickson, president and CEO of the CCF. "We intend to remove the queues operator might have to consider and enable them to certify their LTE devices as efficiently as we do their CDMA2000 devices."
"A number of CDG operator members have expressed their desire to deploy OFDM-based technologies in conjunction with CDMA," remarked Perry LaForge, executive director of the CDMA Development Group (CDG). "Having the CCF expedite the availability of the LTE certification process will help these operators meet their deployment objectives. It's another example of how the CDMA industry responds quickly to the needs of the market."
Using its authorized test facilities and the same streamlined processes used in certifying CDMA2000 devices, the CCF will focus on ensuring CDMA2000 operators receive their LTE device certifications in an expedient manner. LTE devices will be certified using the same efficient, comprehensive and cost-effective certification process that is used today for CDMA2000 devices. The CCF is a neutral third-party certification forum that will ensure that all CDMA2000/LTE devices fully meet the minimum performance, signaling conformance and infrastructure interoperability specifications dictated by the respective international standards bodies.
During the CTIA Wireless 2009 conference in Las Vegas, the CCF invites wireless professionals and journalists to visit its booth (#5618) to learn more about the organization's current initiatives and how it intends to support the certification of LTE devices.