Agilent 8920B RF Communications
Test Set, Agilent 8920B Option 800
and 801 for TIA/EIA-136 and PCS
Test, and Agilent 83206A Cellular
Adapter
Improve throughput
and quality!
2
Accuracy as Good as
Stand-Alone Instruments
When the test equipment is not
accurate and repeatable, the
number of devices that must be
reworked or retested grows,
consuming precious time and
space. The 8920B greatly reduces
the uncertainty in a “Pass” or
“Fail” result, with accurate and
very repeatable test measurements. As a result, test margins
can be minimized without passing
bad devices or failing good ones.
When using the 8920B you can be
sure of passing more good radios
in production tests and of consistently finding those that are out
of specification.
• Power measurement: ±5%
• SINAD: ±1 dB
• Signal generator level: ±1 dB
• Residual FM: <7 Hz
• EVM measurement: <1%
See specifications for additional information
Test Speed that Lowers
Your Cost Per Test
The 8920B takes you another step
forward in manufacturing productivity. Processing speed improvements reduce the automated test
time of cellular radios by approximately 15% when compared to
rack and stack systems and more
than double the computing speed
over the 8920A for initial transceiver measurements and GPIB
commands.
This means lower cost per test
and more throughput from your
production line.
Flexibility to Meet More of
Your Testing Needs
The 8920B meets your test needs
on multiple radio test lines; testing land mobile, trunked, cordless, and cellular phones while
also meeting your need for fast
parametric tests, troubleshooting,
QA, and call processing test.
Hardware and firmware upgrades
keep your 8920B’s capabilities
current, giving you flexibility to
meet new radio testing needs.
8920B flexibility allows you to
standardize on a single platform,
reducing training and support
needs.
8920B Performance Accuracy
The Agilent Technologies
8920B is a full function RF
test set with accuracy,
speed, and flexibility for
testing land mobile radios,
cellular telephones, and
other communications
systems while improving
throughput and quality in
manufacturing.
The 8920B RF communications test set—
optimized for manufacturing test
8920B
83206A
TDMA cellular adapter
8920B
AM, FM, ΦM,
EDACS, LTR, CORDLESS,
AMPS/NAMPS/TACS/ETACS
+DAMPS(IS-54B),
+DCCH (IS-136) 800 MHz
3
Front-Panel
Upgrades for Firmware
Enhancements
Firmware features are easily upgraded via the front
panel with a PCMCIA Flash
Memory Card, eliminating
the need to open the instrument to change memory
chips. Just insert the firmware upgrade card and
turn the test set on. In
minutes the upgrade is
complete! Downtime is minimized. This quick upgrade
also helps maintain process
control (all test equipment
is standardized at the same
firmware version).
Modularity and
Built-In Test to
Simplify Upgrades
and Maintenance
The 8920B uses modular
design for reliability and
easy repair. Agilent Technologies provides built-intest, diagnostics, and an
assembly level repair manual to find problems quickly.
Should a failure occur,
replacement modules are
available worldwide and
can be installed on site in
minutes.
IS-136 Test
• EVM, 10-burst EVM measurements
• Mobile reported parameters for MAHO
• Unique programming of FACCH and
SACCH
• BER loop-back mode
• Front-panel firmware upgrade for
features such as DCCH authentication, SMS, Caller ID, and Message
Waiting as they become available
New Call Processing Subsystem
• Intuitive, call processing test screens
with on-call parametric test capability
• AMPS authentication test screens
with SSD Update, Unique Challenge,
and A-key generation
• Supported hand-off modes:
•
DCCH to DTC or AVC
•
ACC to DTC or AVC
•
DTC to DTC or AVC
•
AVC to DTC or AVC
Simplified Programming
• High-level GPIB commands to
simplify call processing programmability
• Agilent VEE support with new
8920B drivers
PCS Upgrade Path
• PCS phone test upgrade path
with the new 83236A/B PCS
interface for dual-band, dualmode systems
Test Features
83206A
TDMA cellular adapter
8920B
83236A/B
PCS interface
In the past, adding a new test to measure distortion or to verify adjacent
channel power may have required
adding another instrument to a test system. However, with the multifunction
capability of
the Agilent 8920B, verifying new performance parameters is as simple as
pressing a front-panel key or adding
a command to the test program. The
8920B contains the functions of many
instruments in a small, space-saving
package. The 8920B is very flexible,
which means it can grow to meet new
requirements.
4
• RF/AF signal generators
• AM/FM modulation analyzer
• RF/AF power meter
• Spectrum analyzer
• Tracking generator
• Adjacent channel power meter
• Oscilloscope
• IBASIC controller
• Signaling encoder/decoder
• Function generator
• AC/DC voltmeter
• SINAD/SNR meters
• DC current meter
• High stability reference
• IEEE 488.2/RS-232 interface
• Centronics port
Many instruments in a small package
Single key transmitter, receiver, and
duplex radio testing with autotuning
Autoprint of all measurements when an
external printer is added to the 8920B
Save/recall registers save
entire instrument setups
High-power input
for transmitter
testing
2 µV sensitivity for
over-the-air signal
monitoring
PCMCIA memory card
slot for loading IBASIC
programs, upgrading
firmware, and saving data
All measurements
and settings
displayed on CRT
Quick and simple
instrument control
with knob/cursor
8920B
400 kHz to
1 GHz
The optional spectrum analyzer measures signals from 10 MHz to
1 GHz with variable spans from 5 kHz to 1 GHz (full span). Display
resolution is selectable between 1, 2, and 10 dB per division. The
tunable marker provides automatic readout of frequency and
amplitude, or relative frequency and amplitude from a reference.
Other marker functions, usually available only in stand-alone spectrum analyzers, include peak hold, marker-to-peak, marker-to-next
peak, marker-to-center-frequency, and marker-to-reference; all of
which speed up and simplify signal searching and measurement.
Tracking Generator
Adjacent Channel Power Tests
Digital Oscilloscope
Spectrum Analyzer–Option 102
5
Flexible spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope capabilities
The tracking generator, included with the spectrum analyzer
option, allows for quick and accurate characterization of filters,
duplexers, combiners, and RF to IF conversions. Broadband RF
devices can be characterized with single sweeps up to 1 GHz.
The tracking generator also includes fully settable amplitude and
frequency offset, and a tunable marker that provides automatic
readout of frequency and amplitude of any response point.
Included in the Option 102 is the capability to make adjacent channel power (ACP) tests on transmitters. This test measures undesirable signals that spill into and interfere with neighboring channels.
ACP tests can be made by varying three parameters: channel offset, channel bandwidth, and resolution (measurement bandwidth).
The dynamic range for ACP is typically -65 dBc to -70 dBc, adequate
for most radio standards.
The standard built-in 50 kHz digital oscilloscope provides multiple
triggering formats (internal, external, and encoder); single-shot and
pre-trigger view for signaling analysis; and full marker capability
with automatic level and time readout. Time/division, volts/division,
and vertical offset are displayed and easily changed using the frontpanel knob. The trigger delay feature allows you to choose the
delay from 20 µsec to 3.2 seconds.
Configure the 8920B to meet your
radio test needs by selecting options
tailoring it for your radio and test
application. For a more turnkey, automatic test solution, select one of the
Agilent Technologies 11807E software
packages designed to run on the
8920B’s internal controller.
AM, FM, ΦM, and SSB Radios
The optional signaling encoder and
decoder support common land
mobile radio formats including
tone sequential, digital paging,
and DTMF signaling. Common standards are included, and are easily
modified for different user formats.
For thorough and fast testing to
international standards, 11807E
software packages are available
for AM, FM, and ΦM radios.
Test high-power transmitters with
Option H08 for frequency and
power measurements up to 100 W
continuous (125 W intermittently
with 10 seconds per minute duty
cycle). With this option, AM and
FM measurements can be made
on inputs from -16 to +50 dBm.
Trunked Radios
The signaling option also provides
protocol for testing both LTR and
EDACS radios. Use the manual
mode to perform quick functional
checks and to verify system programming. For full characterization, run a suite of tests on multiple channels with 11807E LTR or
EDACS software test packages.
Cordless Phones, Data Terminals,
Short-Range Transceivers
Test cordless phones, data terminals, and short-range transceivers
by adding Option 007, which
shifts the input range for RF
power measurements to a level
ideal for characterization of lowpower transmitters. RF power
with fully specified accuracy can
be measured on signals as low as
40 µW. Option 007 reduces the
maximum continuous input
power of the 8920B to 2.4 W.
Call Processing
Cellular phone testing with the
8920B has a whole new look and
feel with the new call processing
subsystem. New front panel
screens simplify manual testing
as well as GPIB programmability.
In call processing mode, the 8920B
emulates a cellular base station,
allowing you to automatically
establish and maintain a cellular
link between the test set and cellular phone. Use the front-panel
knob to register the phone, originate a call, page the phone, hand
off to other channels, change
power, and release calls; as well
as make fast parametric measurements while the phone is on a
voice or traffic channel. Messages
received from the mobile, such as
phone number, ESN, SCM, protocol version, model, and order
acknowledgment are displayed on
an interactive screen where you
can monitor the phone’s status.
The new call processing features
are available for AMPS, DAMPS,
NAMPS, TACS, NTACS, JTACS,
and DCCH radio test.
Cellular phone test capabilities
enhance the 8920B’s fast and accurate
parametric measurements.
6
Call processing display showing DCCH phone data
7
Supported handoff modes
• DCCH to DTC or AVC
• ACC to DTC or AVC
• DTC to DTC or AVC
• AVC to DTC or AVC
Authentication for Control
Channel and Voice Channel
Use the intuitive call processing
screens to test your phone’s ability to register, originate, and
receive page messages with or
without authentication enabled.
Your phone’s response to orders
such as SSD Update and Unique
Challenge with authentication
enabled is displayed in an easyto-read “pass/fail” format.
Shared secret
••
data (SSD) update
Unique challenge
••
response
MS originating
•
call setup
MS terminating
•
call setup
MS registration •
Authentication Control Voice
Procedures Channel Channel
Analog Cellular Phone Test
Call processing display showing
RF and audio measurements
Call processing display showing
data message information
The Agilent 8920B
delivers performance
cellular manufacturers need, with the
intuitive feel users
want. The protocol for
testing AMPS, EAMPS,
NAMPS, TACS, ETACS,
JTACS, and NTACS
phones is included
with the signaling
option (Option 004)
to the 8920B.
Measurements of TX
frequency error, TX
power, FM deviation,
and AF frequency are
made on a mobile station’s RF carrier while
on a voice channel.
Additional audio
measurements, such
as RF sensitivity, and
FM hum and noise,
can be made from call
processing screens
using audio break-outs
to connect audio to the
test set’s audio in and
audio out connectors.
Forward and reverse
data message information at the bit level is
displayed in an easyto-read format to simplify message analysis
for troubleshooting.
Easier Programming
The new call processing subsystem also creates a more userfriendly programming interface
for automated cellular phone test.
High-level GPIB commands such
as “page” and “register” simplify
code generation for phone test.
Additional Capabilities
• A-key generation via GPIB
• Random data entry via front panel
and GPIB
8
Cellular Phone Test
Digital Cellular
Phone Test
High-quality digital cellular
measurements have never been
easier—a real bonus for users
immersed in the rapidly changing technologies of digital cellular radios. From programming
a test sequence to troubleshooting phones, the new call processing subsystem simplifies
even the most complex DCCH
(TIA/EIA-136) measurements.
TDMA Cellular Adapter
The 83206A TDMA cellular adapter
(8920B Option 800) provides a
complete π/4 DQPSK signal generator, π/4 DQPSK modulation analyzer, data source, and BER analyzer for TDMA measurements on
DAMPS (IS-54B) and DCCH (TIA/
EIA-136) phones. The 83206A
replaces the 83201B TDMA cellular adapter (previously 8920B
Option 500) for making measurements on TDMA dual-mode DAMPS
phones, adding digital control
channel test features to fully characterize DCCH phones. Refer to
the 8920B configuration guide,
literature number 5968-5919E for
configuration requirements.
Faster Software
The new Agilent Technologies
11807E Option 014 AMPS/NAMPS/
DAMPS/DCCH phone test package
automates DCCH tests such as call
processing from a DCCH, RF power
versus channel, receiver sensitivity
versus channel, and battery life.
Option 014 takes advantage of
new 8920B Option 800 call processing features—enhancing test
speed by as much as 25% and
adding a more robust control
channel link making your phone
less likely to tune to an off-the-air
control channel during test. Refer
to the 8920B configuration guide
for a complete list of tests.
True-Average Power
Measurements
For the most accurate power
measurements on TDMA signals,
include the new 10 W to 50 µW
power measurement range option
(8920B Option 006). This option
increases power measurement
accuracy by extending the 8920B’s
±5% power measurement performance down to 50 µW and enabling
true-average power measurements
with the 83206A TDMA cellular
adapter. True-average power measurements are performed directly
with a new average power detector.
• Analog and digital tests for IS-
19B, IS-54B, and TIA/EIA-136.
• Error vector magnitude (EVM)
• 10-burst error vector magnitude
• Magnitude error
• Phase error
• Burst amplitude droop
• I/Q origin offset
• Carrier frequency error
• Adjacent channel power
• True-average power (with Opt.
006 and 83206A)
• Bit error rate (BER) loop-back
mode
• TX power levels 0 through 10
RF measurements include:
8920B with Agilent 83206A TDMA Cellular Adapter
9
Additional DCCH Test
Features Available
Include:
Mobile Reported Parameters for
MAHO—Given a list of up to six
neighbor channels, the test set
directs the mobile to report back
the RSSI detected for each neighbor cell. The test set displays the
mobile reported RSSI for neighbor channels and RSSI and BER
of the current channel.
Power Control—Once on a digital
traffic channel, the user can command the mobile to adjust power.
Unique Programming of FACCH
and SACCH—Allows the user, via
software, to send custom FACCH
and SACCH messages to the
mobile.
BER Calculation—Transmits a
PRBS sequence and calculates
loopback BER.
DCCH Test Features—Such as
DCCH authentication, SMS, Caller
ID, and Message Waiting, can be
easily added with front-panel
firmware updates to the 83206A
as they become available.
Quick-test, Base Station
Emulation Mode—Provides a
base station emulation mode that
bypasses call processing procedures
to quickly get to a traffic channel.
This feature is important for manufacturing test where avoiding
overhead time associated with call
processing can greatly reduce
parametric test times.
Agilent Technologies 83236B
PCS Interface
Extend DCCH test capabilities for
future PCS phone test by adding
the 83236B PCS interface to translate DCCH measurement capability to the PCS band. Power measurement accuracy and speed are
maintained at PCS band frequencies with an internal power meter
for measurements on CW and
TDMA (π/4 pulsed or continuous)
signals.
For more information, refer to the
83236B configuration guide, literature number 5965-5625E.
Call processing display showing DCCH
phone on-call parametric measurements
PCS Upgrade Path
• EVM1
• EVM10
• Ad Ch Pwr
• Avg Pwr
Select here
to choose
between:
• EVM
• Peak EVM
• Phase Err
• Mag Err
• Origin Ofs
• Droop
• Sync Loc
• Max Abs
When you choose
either EVM1 or
EVM10, you can
display any
measurement
listed below:
10
Program the 8920B from an
external controller or use the
built-in controller for a self-
contained automated test
solution.
External Controller
Use any controller or PC that supports the IEEE 488.2 interface to
write test programs for the 8920B.
Examples include an IBM compatible PC with the Agilent Technologies 82335B GPIB interface card,
Agilent Series 200/300, or Series
700 workstation with the E2070B
GPIB interface card.
Agilent VEE Supports the 8920B!
Agilent Visual Engineering Environment (Agilent VEE) is a graphical programming language optimized for instrument control. Use
VEE with new 8920B drivers to
reduce test development time compared to conventional programming
techniques. For more information
on VEE refer to “VEE the Productivity Language” brochure, literature number 5980-0841E.
Built-In Automation
Capability
Built-In Controller
The 8920B has a built-in Instrument
BASIC (IBASIC) controller that provides powerful automation capability. The controller operates
using the IBASIC programming
language. IBASIC is a subset of
HP BASIC, Rocky Mountain Basic
(RMB) used in the Agilent Series
200/300 controllers, and BASIC
for Windows.
Control External Instruments
The built-in controller can be used
to control all instrument functions
making the 8920B a self-contained
automated test station.
The 8920B can also control external instruments. The IBASIC programming language has the capability to output commands over
GPIB or serial bus to other instruments and query them for measured results. This gives you the
capability to add a power supply
or a second signal generator to
your test system and use the
8920B as the system controller.
This eliminates the additional
space and expense of a separate
system controller.
11
Radio Interface Card–Option 020
The 8920B has an optional built-in
radio interface card for automating module and radio testing. This
eliminates the need for a system
operator to key the transmitter or
manually control operation of the
module or radio.
The radio interface card has sixteen parallel data lines, two interrupts, and brings the audio in/out
lines and a relay closure out from
the MIC/ACC connector located
on the front panel. All are controlled by either the 8920B IBASIC control language, an external
GPIB controller or manually. All
data lines provide TTL level outputs and require TTL level inputs.
Develop Custom IBASIC
Programs
IBASIC programs can be developed in several different ways:
1) Programs can be created using
IBASIC mnemonics on a controller
or a PC and then downloaded
into the 8920B over the optional
GPIB bus, or run from the controller or PC.
2) An ASCII terminal can be connected to the RS-232 bus and programs developed on the 8920B
using the ASCII terminal keyboard
as the input device.
3) Programs can be created on a
PC using IBASIC mnemonics and
saved as an ASCII file. This ASCII
file can then be loaded into the
8920B via the RS-232 bus or
PCMCIA card.
The Agilent 83224A IBASIC development tool kit is available to aid
you in writing your own IBASIC
programs. Once written, programs
can be stored on memory cards.
These PCMCIA memory cards are
available in 64 KB (83230A) and
1 MB SRAM (83231A) sizes for
storing all of your programs.
Agilent Technologies 11807E software provides a solution for automatically testing your radios without having to invest in software
development time. The software is
written in IBASIC for the 8920B
internal controller. It fully controls the 8920B, testing radios
against recognized international
standards. This automation gives
you the capability to produce
higher quality radios at a lower
cost per test by requiring less
user training, testing radios consistently, and increasing your
throughput at a given test station.
For more information see the
11807A/E radio test software
product overview, literature number 5968-1379E.
Optional radio
interface card
allows you
to control
modules or
transceivers
with remote
control
Agilent Technologies 11807E
IBASIC Radio Test Software
IBASIC radio test
software cards
IBASIC
Controller
Front Panel
Control
Radio Interface
Parallel
Data
Lines
Relay
Closure
Audio In
Audio Out
Interrupts
DUT
Control
Device
Under Test
(DUT)
Agilent Technologies’ Test and Measurement
Support, Services, and Assistance
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your risk and problems. We strive to
ensure that you get the test and measurement capabilities you paid for and obtain
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for at least five years beyond the production life of the product. Two concepts
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“Our Promise” and “Your Advantage.”
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“Our Promise” means your Agilent test
and measurement equipment will meet its
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When you are choosing new equipment,
we will help you with product information, including realistic performance specifications and practical recommendations
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that it works properly, help with product
operation, and provide basic measurement
assistance for the use of specified capabilities, at no extra cost upon request. Many
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Product specifications and descriptions in this
document subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 1994, 2000 Agilent Technologies
Printed in U.S.A. 11/00
5965-4832E
Related Literature Pub. Number
Data Sheet 5968-1376E
Configuration Guide 5968-5919E
U.S. Price List 5964-1738EUS
For more information, visit our website at:
www.agilent.com/find/8920support/
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