Aeroflex announced a new TM500 TD-LTE test mobile designed to support Time Division Duplex for 3G LTE (TD-LTE). Complementing Aeroflex’s highly successful TM500 LTE-FDD for 3G LTE Frequency Division Duplex, the TM500 TD-LTE test mobile is designed to enable infrastructure equipment vendors match the demanding timescales for TD-LTE trials in China.

The new TM500 TD-LTE’s extensive Layer 1, Layer 2 and higher-layer test features make it an indispensable testing peer that provides complete visibility even into the lowest layers of the radio modem by generating the detailed diagnostic data needed for engineers to verify the required functionality and optimize network operation and performance. With support for MIMO, handover testing, 20 MHz channel bandwidths and 150 Mbit/s downlink data rates, it will enable comprehensive development and test support of base station and network infrastructure for the next generation of Chinese mobile technology. The TM500 TD-LTE can co-exist in the same unit as the TM500 LTE-FDD protecting investment and maximizing test flexibility for engineers working on both standards.

Aeroflex will provide full in-country support for the TM500 TD-LTE so that technical questions and integration issues can be dealt with in Chinese and Aeroflex engineers can get on-site quickly.

“LTE presents R&D engineers with new challenges, including a new system architecture, radio technology and high data rates,” said Stephen Hire, director of marketing for Aeroflex Asia. “Aeroflex is the industry leader in test mobiles and has extensive experience of delivering various versions of the TM500 going back many years. Specifically for 3G LTE, many infrastructure equipment vendors have been successfully developing, testing and demonstrating LTE Frequency Division Duplex mode using the TM500 test mobile, since 2007.”

The TM500 TD-LTE will be available for customer shipment in late 2008. It will be available both as a standalone unit and as an upgrade to existing TM500 LTE-FDD systems.