Agilent Technologies Inc. introduced the E6607B EXT wireless communications test set and companion E6617A multiport adapter. Optimized for non-signaling testing, the EXT/MPA combination increases test throughput and reduces the cost of test in the manufacturing of current- and next-generation smartphones and tablets that contain multiformat and multiband technologies.
The EXT is an integrated one-box tester that includes a vector signal analyzer, vector signal generator, high-speed sequence analyzer and multiformat hardware. It offers future-ready capabilities such as full cellular-band coverage up to 3.8 GHz (including LTE TDD Band 43) and support for the fast-sequenced test modes implemented in the latest chipsets.
The compact and cost-effective MPA adds simultaneous receiver testing, sequential transmitter testing and simultaneous GPS testing of up to four dual-antenna devices at a time. It does this through plug-and-play connectivity to the EXT and fully calibrated ports — eight cellular, four GPS — that extend the test plane to the MPA front panel.
“In early evaluations, the E6607B combined with the E6617A has shown dramatic improvements in measurement throughput,” said Joe DePond, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Mobile Broadband Operation. “This blends with our world-class measurement technology and software applications to help our customers achieve unprecedented improvements in throughput and cost of test.”
To anticipate future needs in manufacturing test, the EXT can be configured with a variety of X-Series measurement applications for cellular communications, wireless connectivity and digital audio/video. The new EXT test set includes three additions: LTE TDD, TD-SCDMA and analog demodulation. Individual X-Series measurement applications can be included with the original instrument purchase or added later.
A comprehensive set of complementary software tools accelerates test development. For example, Agilent Signal Studio makes it easy to create non-signaling downlink signals (control and test) for use with the EXT. In preproduction, Agilent Sequence Studio enables engineers to quickly create and troubleshoot test plans. To help accelerate time-to-volume, Agilent’s chipset software provides a graphical user interface and programming interface to enable device control, calibration and verification.
On the production line, the EXT helps manufacturers achieve faster test times and increased yield. One key element is the advanced sequence analyzer, which works in synchronization with the test modes in wireless-modem chipsets to eliminate signaling overhead and enable multiple measurements from a single acquisition.
The E6607B is fully backward compatible in terms of form, fit and function with the previous-generation E6607A EXT.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
Both the E6607B EXT wireless communications test set and the E6617A multiport adapter are available now, with prices starting at $43,900 and $19,500, respectively.
Information about the E6607B EXT and the E6617A multiport adapter are available at www.agilent.com/find/EXT. Images are available at www.agilent.com/find/EXT_images.
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