Editor’s Note: The ability to test network and device features and functions is an important piece of technology development and deployment. RCR Wireless News looks weekly at the test and measurement space to see what’s afoot.
—Spirent Communications has launched a test system for automotive Ethernet functionality and security, meant to speed new features in the connected car market. The Spirent C1 Automotive Test System supports the BroadR-Reach industry standard from Broadcom, which uses Ethernet-based communications for vehicle features such as multiple cameras, safety radar, Internet connectivity and other forms of infotainment.
“Spirent is the first vendor to offer a BroadR-Reach based test solution, as a result of our on-going work for the automotive industry,” said Peter Nicholson, General Manager of Spirent’s Automotive Business Unit. “The C1 Automotive platform is a fully integrated product which provides the highest accuracy, without the need for external media converters. This is an example of how Spirent is applying its innovation and expertise in Ethernet, wireless, security and positioning testing to support the complete development of the network in a vehicle.”
—Agilent Technologies announced that its N9000A CXA-X-series signal analyzers now support the Windows 7 operating system and new measurement applications for cellular, Wi-Fi and digital video. Agilent expanded the feature set for both its RF and microwave CXA. Brian LeMay, general manager of Agilent’s Chengdu Instruments division, noted that the CXA (pictured upper right) “entered the market as a high-quality, low-cost solution,” but the latest updates are more common in higher-cost test instruments.
In addition, Agilent also said this week that it has added support for 4G technologies including Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC) and Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) to its EEsof EDA W1918 LTE-Advanced baseband verification library.
Agilent also announced a reduction in its reported second quarter GAAP net income to $139 million, down from $150 million. The company said it made the change as a result of an out-of-period adjustment for tax expenses.
—Rohde & Schwarz has launched what it calls “the smallest and fastest vector signal generator with up to 6 GHz,” the R&S SGT100A. The instrument is designed for use in production test systems and has an integrated baseband generator that supports a maximum bandwidth of 160 MHz. Rohde & Schwarz said the instrument is particularly compact, power-efficieny and has short switching times of “just a few microseconds” between various digital test signals in order to speed up testing.
—JDSU has added the SmartOTU plug-and-play system for remote fiber testing to its ONMSi family, aimed at monitoring fibers in small, private networks including utilities, data centers, industrial sites and government agencies.
