BABT Takes 3G Wireless Test Equipment

Europe : As part of its drive to remain at the forefront of wireless conformance testing, BABT has embarked on a major investment programme to cater for the needs of the 3G marketplace. The first part of this initiative is now complete, with the placing of a multi-million euro order with Anritsu Limited for its ME7873C W-CDMA TRX/Performance Test System and ME7873C-10 RF and RRM Test System, capable of meeting the requirements of 3GPP TS34.121 in FDD Bands 1, 2 and 5.

Jean Louis-Evans, Managing Director of BABT states: “With all major operators now offering 3G services, a significant percentage of all mobiles produced in 2006 is expected to be 3G enabled. With a testing go-live date of August 1st 2005, BABT leads the test and certification marketplace in installing capability to perform the full range of transmitter, receiver, performance and RRM (radio resource management) test cases. The investment programme augments our existing extensive GSM/GPRS capability and will ideally place BABT as the partner of choice for complete 2G, 3G and dual mode testing to meet GCF and PTCRB approval requirements.”

BABT has invested in Anritsu’s ME7873C W-CDMA TRX/Performance Test System and ME7873C-10 RF and RRM Test System hardware together with a calibration and maintenance package. This purchase provides BABT with capability for automated transmitter/receiver characteristics and performance test, based on 3GPP open standards covering clauses 5, 6, and 7 of 3GPP TS 34.121 (RF). The RRM Test System also automates RRM tests based on the 3GPP open standard. It comprises measuring instruments such as the MD8480B and dedicated software, and performs the measurements based on Clause 8 of 3GPP TS 34.121. The equipment is future-proofed to 3.5G High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA).

The acquisition augments BABT’s existing Cetecom MiNT and Spirent U-ATS systems to furnish the company’s UK centre of excellence with three of the four available test platforms. With many years’ experience in RF testing, BABT has offered 3G testing since 2000, and validated WCDMA test cases since 2003. It may use its new Anritsu system to provide ongoing validation and verification.