The Wireless Solutions Group of Racal Instruments, working under a Co-operative agreement with the Chinese Academy of Telecommunications Technology (CATT), has developed what it claims is the first software system – T-AIR – for measuring the transmitter performance of 3G mobiles designed to meet the Chinese TD-SCDMA standard.
Until now, engineers have been limited by digital spectrum analyser capabilities, which only provided raw I and Q data measurements. This made the analysis of a transmitter’s performance exceptionally difficult, if not impossible.
Recognising the need for better performance measurements, Racal Instruments developed the T-AIR test solution. T-Air software converts raw I and Q data into meaningful measurements that include error vector magnitude, code domain power and peak code domain error – all crucial in determining the robustness of a design.
It is also able to display the transmit on/off power profile and constellation diagrams giving engineers additional useful data.
Editor’s note: In June 2001, Racal Instruments signed an agreement with CATT. As part of this agreement, Racal Instruments will support the field trials of the TD-SCDMA standard and develop a range of test solutions covering applications for development, production, installation and commissioning. TD-SCDMA is one of three international competing 3G standards, the others being W-CDMA and CDMA2000.
