Aeroflex Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Aeroflex Holding Corp., announced the introduction of the new 8800 Radio Test Set; a high performance, economical radio test system for Analog AM and FM; and Digital P25, DMR, dPMR, NXDN™, and ARIB T98 technologies. The 8800 is equipped with the industry’s largest touch-screen color display, and a new hybrid portable design that provides bench-level test features while maintaining the low weight, ruggedness, and 2.5 hour internal battery required for field testing. With a measurement range of -140 dBm to 500 W, the 8800 is a breakthrough in radio test technology.
Designed for maximum test efficiency, the 8800 features a large, easy-to-read, color display that allows multiple meters and analysis functions to be viewed simultaneously. The 8800 also introduces an all new capability known as “Fast Stack”, which speeds access to meters and analysis functions by allowing meters and analysis functions to be stacked and then instantly accessed at the press of a button. Innovative features, such as user-configurable presets and frequency lists, as well as color meters with graphical indicators for pass/fail results allow ultra-fast test of analog and digital radios by performing transmit and receive tests over multiple frequencies in just seconds.
For bench-level test applications, the 8800 offers the necessary features and accuracy for mission critical radio tests and alignments; including a typical RF power meter accuracy of 6 percent and FM deviation meter accuracy of 3 percent. Digital analysis capabilities include multiple meters, such as FSK error and symbol deviation, along with advanced distribution, constellation, and eye diagram plots for digital modulation analysis. For DMR radios, the 8800 features an exclusive TDMA power burst profile mask to ensure that the TDMA bursts are within ETSI profile specifications. The 8800 also provides digital audio quality analysis, regardless of the vocoder technology within the radio, using a unique record and playback function.
The 8800 is also uniquely equipped for field-level test applications. The optional tracking generator provides fast swept measurements for VSWR, return loss, insertion loss, distance to fault, as well as tuning duplexers. Results are displayed both graphically and numerically. Additionally, the 8800 features an optional “internal” in-line power meter rated at 500 W with 4 percent accuracy, providing an invaluable tool for site maintenance. “With the rapid emergence of high performance, lower cost digital radios, such a DMR, dPMR, and NXDN, RF professionals want an affordable radio test solution with the necessary features and accuracy for bench-level radio tests and alignments. In addition, test professionals want a portable, rugged test solution for maintaining remote sites and optimizing antenna and cable networks,” said Rob Barden, director of product marketing for Radio Test Systems at Aeroflex. “The 8800 provides test professionals with a single box solution; offering advance bench-level analog and digital test features for ensuring maximum performance on mission critical radios without compromising on portability, ruggedness and features for field-level applications.”
The 8800 is designed with a new digital architecture capable of supporting fast automated radio tests and alignments. Aeroflex leads the market in automated radio test, which began with introduction of “Auto-Test II” on the very popular Aeroflex 3900 Series Digital Radio Test Sets. Leveraging this success, Aeroflex will expand Auto-Test II capabilities into the 8800 in the very near future; offering advanced automated testing and alignment on DMR, NXDN, and dPMR radios.
Price and availability
The 8800 Analog and Digital Radio Test Set is available now with a delivery time of 8-10 weeks. For more information about pricing, contact your local Aeroflex sales office by visiting or calling Aeroflex Sales at (800) 835-2352 or info-test@aeroflex.com.