¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester
THE multiprotocol tester for current and future mobile radio networks
Extremely high-speed testing
◆
Highly accurate measurements
◆
Modular future-proof design
◆
Comprehensive spectrum analyzer
◆
Fast switching between networks
◆
Version
Version
09.00
08.00
November
November
2007
2007
2 ¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester
Testing the 3rd generation
For more than 70 years, Rohde & Schwarz
has always been at the forefront of
mobile radio technology. We continue
this tradition of RF test and measurement with the ¸CMU200 Universal
Radio Communication Tester. The
¸CMU200 is a third-generationplatform design that offers true scalable
multimode functionality.
The ¸CMU200 reflects the many
years of expertise Rohde & Schwarz has
gained in the world of mobile radio. In
recent years, the company has helped to
launch overwhelmingly successful mobile radio systems.
Rohde & Schwarz is a preferred supplier
to many of the leading mobile equipment manufacturers and is the market
leader for mobile radio test sets.
Low cost of ownership
Selecting the ¸CMU200 is a decision
for the future and results in a total cost
of ownership that is sure to be among
the lowest due to the following factors:
The completely modular design of
◆
hardware and software components
eliminates unnecessary investments
right from the start merely because
a feature might be needed at some
point in the future. You only pay for
what you need
Maximum production output in a
◆
compact 4-rack-unit-high package
with minimum power dissipation allows compact production space layout
If an expansion becomes necessary
◆
because your needs grow, the modularity of the ¸CMU200 concept
will make this easy. Many expansions
may be installed on site. You pay for
them only when you need them
With the intuitive ¸CMU200 user
◆
interface, even less experienced users do not require extensive training
A new remote interface syntax re-
◆
flects the inherent modularity of this
real multimode tester
The ¸CMU200 is part of a complete
range of mobile radio test equipment,
encompassing everything from conformance test systems to system simulators, turnkey functional board test/final
test systems and simple sales-counter
Go/NoGo testers.
The base unit with its standard-independent module test provides many generalpurpose measurement facilities for the
development of all kinds of standards
within its wide and continuous frequency range. If extended by the appropriate options, the ¸CMU200 offers
the hardware and software necessary to
handle your 3G, 2.5G and previous-generation testing applications, including
analog.
The ¸CMU200 targets a wide range of applications but is primarily optimized for the high
accuracy and speed demanded in increasingly quality-conscious manufacturing processes.
The picture shows the front panel for desktop use.
Applications
RF development
◆
Module design
◆
Module test in production
◆
Adjustment of mobile phones
◆
Final test in production
◆
Functional test
◆
Feature test
◆
High-end service
◆
Quality inspection
◆
Basis for test systems
◆
Base station simulation
◆
4 ¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester
Usability
The ¸CMU200 key
strengths
The ¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester brings premium cost
effectiveness through a variety of features, with extremely fast measurement
speed and very high accuracy being the
two most important ones. In addition,
the secondary remote addressing of the
tester‘s modular architecture makes for
intelligent and autonomous processing
of complete measurement tasks and fast
control program design.
Maximum accuracy
In a production environment, the tester‘s
high accuracy allows devices under test
(DUTs) to be trimmed for maximum battery lifetime without compromising quality. In the lab, the ¸CMU200 enables
the development engineer to partly replace conventional, dedicated premiumquality instruments and save desktop
space at the same time. High-precision
measurement correction over the entire
frequency and dynamic range as well as
compensation for temperature effects in
realtime are critical factors for achieving
the ¸CMU200‘s excellent accuracy.
The globally standardized Rohde & Schwarz
calibration system can check the
¸CMU200‘s accuracy at a service center close to you or, in some cases, on your
premises. A worldwide network of these
standardized automatic calibration systems has been implemented in our service
centers. Highly accurate and repeatable
calibration can be performed wherever you
are. Your local Rohde & Schwarz representative offers customized service contracts.
For large-scale users of the ¸CMU200,
a compact level verification system is available in addition.
Owing to the high resolution of the
extremely bright high-contrast TFT
display, even the finest details can be
displayed
Direct branching to all associ-
ated menus makes for a uniquely
flat menu structure
Top speed
The high processing speed is due to extensive use of ProbeDSP™ technology,
parallel measurements and innovative
remote command processing.
ProbeDSP™ technology
◆
The modular architecture relies on
decentralized ProbeDSP™ processing
coordinated by a powerful central
processor. Like an oscilloscope
probe, DSPs dedicated to a specific
local data acquisition and evaluation
workload help to keep subsystem
performance at a maximum even if
additional modules are fitted to the
¸CMU200 mainframe
Parallel measurements
◆
Several RX and TX measurements
can be performed in parallel. This
is achieved by the fast response
of the ¸CMU200‘s modular
hardware as well as the high overall processing power of the instrument and the avoidance of bottlenecks by dedicated operation of the
ProbeDSP™ technology. Examples of
parallel operation are measurements
of BER and simultaneous phase/frequency error, error vector magnitude
(EVM), magnitude error and audio, or
the various spectrum measurements
Innovative remote processing
◆
The novel secondary addressing
mode can address similar functions
of each of the ¸CMU200 subsystems (i.e. different mobile radio
standards) in an almost identical way.
Using this type of addressing, new
remote test sequences can be programmed by a simple cut-and-paste
operation followed by the editing
of specific commands to adapt the
control program to the new application. Secondary addressing is fully
SCPI-compliant, which means that
a subsystem address, for example
WCDMA, can be replaced by a string
denoting a different subsystem, i.e.
another mobile radio standard
As the ¸CMU200 offers many of its
measurements in signaling and non-signaling mode, this simple visual indication
of the signaling state is provided as part
of the status line This symbol shows the instrument
status, i.e. remote or manual
operation
For increased speed, measurements
not required can be switched off to
free resources for the measurements
you want to focus on
Key advantages of the
¸CMU200
Speed
Unrivaled speed of single measurements
◆
Accuracy
Incomparable accuracy
◆
Excellent result repeatability
◆
Modularity
Exceptional reliability
The ¸CMU200 employs ultra-effective heat management between housing
and individual components as well as
between heat sinks and air flow. Together with the independent cooling cycles
for different modules, this adds up to an
optimized cooling system.
The base unit
The base unit without any options installed can be used for testing general
parameters of 1st, 2nd or 3rd generation
mobile phones. The ¸CMU200 base
unit is the ideal solution for tasks at the
module level, i.e. at the early production
stages of all cellular standards.
Measurements are configured by
twice pressing the softkey marked
with the yellow triangle
Integral parts of the ¸CMU200 base
unit are the RF generator and RF analyzer, which are complemented by a versatile, network-independent time domain
menu and a comprehensive spectrum
analyzer. The illustration above shows a
power versus time measurement as an
example.
By combining graphical and numeric
overview menus, the user can select the
optimal view when the ¸CMU200 is
in manual mode.
The menu structure of the ¸CMU200
is very flat and uses context-sensitive selection, entry and configuration pop-up
menus.
Modular hardware and software concept
◆
provides easy expansion to further functionality
Reliability
Extremely low power consumption and
◆
effective heat conduction result in unparalleled reliability
Future-proof
Easy migration to emerging standards
◆
Advanced operational ergonomics have
been incorporated into a highly compact
and lightweight, 4-rack-unit-high package.
¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester 5
6 ¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester
Optimized solutions for your production test requirements
Rohde & Schwarz supports ¸CMU200based production test solutions through
a comprehensive network of application
engineering sites. The backbone of this
network consists of the four system integration centers located in Asia, North
America and Europe.
System integration services
Regional center project teams offer local
system integration, service and support.
A team of experts is ready to provide
turnkey solutions, including test case
programming. Custom-tailored project
solutions and site process optimization
are major aspects of our services.
Time to market
The key to commercial success is the
time required to get a new product to
market in large numbers. The crucial
point is the fast transition from product development to mass production.
The Cellular Phone Production Test
Platform ¸TS7180 featuring the
¸CMU200 meets this challenge.
tests, a test pattern for the camera of
the DUT, and pneumatic fingers for keypad tests.
The Shielded RF Test Fixture ¸TS 7110
for mobile phones can be adjusted by
means of swap kits to accommodate several types of DUTs. It can be used for the
following tests:
RF (antenna)
◆
Audio
◆
LC display
◆
DUT camera and keypad and other
◆
DUT interfaces
The Shielded RF Test Fixture ¸TS 7110.
The ¸TS 7180 supports common mobile radio standards such as GSM, GPRS,
CDMA2000® and WCDMA by means of
ready-to-run test sequences supplied
with the platform. The test sequences
can be extended and modified by means
of a flexible sequence editor.
The software can thus simultaneously
use the resources of the parallel equipment to maximize speed in highly automated production. We can offer optimally configured test systems customized to
your production environment.
Test executive and generic test
software library features
The parallel hardware is fully supported
by TestStand, the industry-wide test executive from National Instruments. A
user-friendly connection to the available
device drivers has been created to provide faster use of the test executive. This
connection is established by the generic
test software library (GTSL). At the same
time, the toolkit concept provides readyto-run test cases, which can be customized by the user as required.
Sequence editor
¸TS7180 description in brief
The ¸TS7180 test platform can test
two mobile phones simultaneously. It
essentially consists of two Radio Communication Testers ¸CMU200, two
Dual-Channel Analyzers/Power Supplies
¸NGM02, two Shielded RF Test Fixtures ¸TS7110 for holding the DUT,
and an industrial PC. The modular RF
Test Fixture ¸TS7110 can be expanded from a bed-of-nails PCB test fixture
up to a fully configured test fixture for
final testing, including an antenna for RF
tests, a loudspeaker and microphone for
acoustic tests, a camera for LC display
Shielded test chamber 2 final test
Shielded test chamber 1 final test
Air coupling
Wire coupling
Fixture
control
Level
converter
Audio
amplifier
Bottom
connector
DUT
Industrial PC
COM 1
Keypad
Mouse
Graphics
LAN
Printer, HD
DUT control
GPIB #1
GPIB #2
Radio Communication Tester 1
R&S CMU200
RF In/Out
Audio In/Out
Power supply 1
Dual-channel
battery/charger
GPIB #2
GPIB #1
Fixture control
COM 2
USB 1
USB 2
USB
DIO
interface
Audio
RF
Battery/charger/sense
¸TS7180:
example of a
two-channel
system with one
¸TS 7110
fixture.
Software concept in brief
¸TS 7180/7110 features in brief
High throughput by parallel testing of
◆
mobile phones
One system for functional board test,
◆
phone calibration and final test
One system for all major mobile phone
◆
standards
Easy expansion to 3rd generation tech-
◆
nologies
Ready-to-run Rohde & Schwarz GTSL test
◆
library for immediate use or customization
Modular and versatile hardware/software
◆
platform
Reduced costs due to generic concept
◆
Swap kit
◆
For detailed information, see separate data
sheets:
¸TS 7110 (PD 0757.7723)
¸TS 7180 (PD 0757.7469)
Software platform based on
◆
LabWindows/CVI and TestStand
from National Instruments
GTSL includes ready-to-run test cases
◆
for the standards supported by the
¸CMU200
Functional test sequences for RF test,
◆
calibration, signaling test, audio and
acoustic test of mobile phones are
supported
Block diagram
for a two-channel
configuration of
the ¸TS 7180.
¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester 7
Transparent and open library can be
◆
expanded by the user
Operator interface (GTOP) and test
◆
cases can be easily customized
Parallel test of multiple mobile
◆
phones is fully supported
GTSL supports multithreading and
◆
instrument sharing if needed
Test development time is reduced by
◆
as much as 80 %
8 ¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester
Ready for today’s networks …
GSM today
Since its introduction in the early nineties, the GSM system has won acceptance and undergone an evolution that
no one could have foreseen.
Currently, the following GSM systems
are deployed in support of numerous applications worldwide:
GSM400
◆
GSM850
◆
GSM900 including
◆
P-GSM (primary GSM)
–
E-GSM (extended GSM)
–
R-GSM (railway GSM)
–
GSM1800 (DCS)
◆
GSM1900 (PCS)
◆
Whether the application is in production,
service or development, the flexible concept of the ¸CMU200 can handle
practically all requirements: from basic
RF signal generation, frequency, power
and spectrum analyzer measurements
for the alignment of modules in production or development, to full GSM-specific
signaling in any of the above-mentioned
bands, as well as module tests on frequencies anywhere in the range from
10 MHz to 2.7 GHz.
Signaling mode
The ¸CMU200 simulates a GSM
base station RF interface, providing the
signaling flexibility necessary to test the
performance of a mobile phone under
the influence of different signaling parameters. These parameters are normally
set by the network operator but can be
reproduced by the ¸CMU200 for
test purposes. The instrument supports
the latest fast location update and direct
paging features.
Reduced signaling synchronized mode
The ¸CMU200 provides the same
functionality as in the signaling mode
but discards any signaling response from
the mobile phone connected. This mode
of operation enables testing of modules
that only have layer 1 capabilities as well
as very fast RF testing in production environments. It can also skip the location
update procedure in order to save time.
Non-signaling mode
This mode is used to generate a signal with GSM-specific midambles and
modulation in the entire frequency range
from 10 MHz to 2.7 GHz. The analyzer offers the same flexibility for GSM-specific
transmitter measurements such as
Modulation analysis
◆
Average and peak burst power
◆
Power versus time, power versus slot,
◆
power versus frame
Spectrum due to switching/modula-
◆
tion
GSM development
As a tool for GSM development engineers, the ¸CMU200 is an unsurpassed solution. The RF interface provides four input and output connectors
offering a wide range of signal levels
for the generation and analysis of RF
signals. Input-only connectors, as well
as combined input/output connectors,
can analyze mobile phones or modules
with a sensitivity down to –80 dBm and
up to +47 dBm for the power meter. RF
signals can be generated with levels
from –130 dBm up to +13 dBm, depending on the selected connector.
All measurement tolerances are set by
default in line with the 3GPP TS 51.010
and 3GPP TS 45.005 recommendations but
may be altered to suit individual needs.
Production of mobile phones
Production is a process that calls for cost
effectiveness. The ¸CMU200 concept is optimized for IEC/IEEE bus speed,
measurement accuracy and reproducibility as well as cost of ownership. Owing
to multitasking capability and parallel
measurements, previously unobtainable
test times can be achieved.
The flexible ¸CMU200 hardware
concept allows the latest DSP technologies to be used in measurements, e.g.
to speed up transmitter measurements
(spectrum due to switching/modulation)
to the extent that measurements virtually in realtime are possible.
The ability to process BER data and perform transmitter measurements at the
same time allows phase/frequency error,
power versus time and average power
(PCL accuracy) to be measured during
the time-consuming receiver test.
The accuracy and reproducibility ensure
correct and stable measurement results
and thus contribute to the quality and
reliability of the end product.
GSM speech evolution – AMR
Maintaining good voice quality even under extremely poor transmission conditions is now possible with the innovative
adaptive multirate (AMR) voice coding
algorithm, which opens up new possibilities for GSM. The new algorithm allows
voice quality to be gradually reduced
in favor of improved error correction by
The GSM-specific non-signaling test
provides generation and analysis of
RF signals (GMSK or 8PSK modu-
lated) for testing RX/TX modules or
mobile phones in service mode.
For an AMR full-rate or AMR half-
rate link, a rate set of up to four
combinations of voice and channel
codings (codecs) can be selected
from the eight full-rate and the six
half-rate codecs. During a call, it is
possible to switch between the rates
of the rate set.
The overview menu provides fast
comprehensive information on the
mobile phone‘s RF performance; the
hotkeys at the bottom of the screen
provide immediate access to specific
and detailed GSM measurements.
¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester 9
10 ¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester
dynamically adapting the data rate. Interruptions of voice transmission can
thus be avoided by allowing a barely
perceptible reduction in audio quality.
The ¸CMU200 provides all eight
combinations of voice and channel coding (codecs) for full-rate and six combinations for half-rate transmission. For
call setup, a set of four rates (codecs) is
selected from the eight full-rate and the
six half-rate codecs. Then additional test
parameters (thresholds) are selected for
the mobile phone. Dynamic switchover
between the selected rates is effected by
AMR inband signaling. In the uplink, the
mobile phone informs the base station
about the quality of the established link
and proposes the optimal rate for the selected rate set to the base station.
GSM data evolution – 2.5G
The newly designed spectrum application allows the simultaneous measurement of spectra due to
switching and modulation in realtime. Moreover, the user can select a frequency offset (spectral
line) by means of a marker and display it in the time domain. Transient characteristics in spectrum-due-to-switching measurements can thus be shown as a function of time.
The amount of data traffic in GSM networks is growing rapidly. Multislot applications such as HSCSD, GPRS and
the innovative 8PSK modulation scheme
EDGE are needed to support the increase
in data traffic. The ¸CMU200 platform is not only able to handle today‘s
standards and systems but is also designed for the needs of tomorrow.
Multislot
In the future, mobile phones will be able
to use several timeslots simultaneously
for data transmission and reception to
further increase the data rate. The simultaneous transmission and reception
of several timeslots (multislot) is the
main technological challenge for circuitswitched and packet-switched applications. The following expansions of the
GSM single-slot measurements enable
maximum flexibility in development, and,
with reduced measurement times, maximum throughput in production.
◆
in the downlink (DL). The ¸CMU
generates up to eight timeslots per
frame in the downlink; each timeslot
can be assigned a separate level.
The excellent level stability of the
¸CMU200 generator is not impaired by multislot transmission using
different levels, and allows highly accurate receiver sensitivity measurements (BER/BLER)
Transmitter and receiver measure-
◆
ments are possible on every timeslot
used. The new multislot concept allows independent measurements on
any timeslot (TS 0 to 7) and thus covers the current and future multislot
combinations without restrictions
The ¸CMU200 combines high
◆
flexibility with great operating convenience. Based on the multislot capability information from the mobile
phone, the ¸CMU200 selects the
maximum possible number of timeslots for a specific application and,
when changing between transmitter and receiver tests, automatically
adapts the timeslot allocation
Power-versus-time measurement
◆Individual levels for all timeslots used
(graphical display) for up to four timeslots in the uplink (UL). The templates
of this application are evaluated independently for each timeslot – in line
with standards and recommendations. Both GMSK- and 8PSK-modulated signals are recognized, and the
templates of the relevant timeslot,
depending on the modulation scheme
used, are set in realtime
Multislot measurements are required for
HSCSD technologies as well as for GPRS
and EGPRS.
The power-versus-time multislot application can graphically display up to 4 adjacent timeslots,
automatically detect GMSK- and 8PSK-modulated signals and activate the associated templates
in realtime. A new zoom function allows full-screen display of up to four slots. Moreover, the user
can zoom in anywhere along the time or power axis.
8PSK modulation – EDGE
In addition to multislot, a further step
toward increasing the mobile radio
data rate is 8PSK. By using the available GSM frame structure, the gross
data rate is three times that obtained
with GMSK. Error vector magnitude and
magnitude error have been added to
the range of modulation measurements.
New templates for power-versus-time
measurements ensure compliance with
the specifications, as do the modified
tolerance for spectrum measurements.
As with all measurements provided by
the ¸CMU200, special attention has
been given to achieving maximum mea-
GPRS/EGPRS
With newer, future-oriented methods
of packet data transmission, the radio
resources of existing GSM mobile radio
networks can be utilized efficiently for
data services. As with circuit-switched
services, GPRS will also use a combination of several timeslots (multislots)
and higher-level modulation in the
form of 8PSK (EGPRS) to increase the
data rate. The introduction of packetoriented transmission and the associated temporary assignment of radio resources require new test concepts. The
¸CMU200 provides the following
test modes:
surement accuracy and speed for EDGE.
3GPP test mode A (GPRS/EGPRS)
In this mode, the mobile phone continuously transmits the associated UL timeslots. The ¸CMU200 can carry out
all TX multislot measurements available,
such as the power ramp measurement of
up to four adjacent timeslots simultaneously, or modulation and spectrum measurements.
Selecting the coding scheme determines
whether the mobile phone is to transmit
GMSK- or 8PSK-modulated data. With GPRS/
EGPRS, transmission resources are usually
allocated temporarily. The uplink state flag
(USF) transmitted in the downlink informs
the mobile phone that uplink resources have
been allocated for the next block and that
these resources have to be used. Correct decoding of the highly protected USF sequence
is an essential prerequisite for the “dynamic
allocation“ and “extended dynamic allocation“ modes to work properly, and is verified by the ¸CMU200 by means of the
USF BLER test (test modes A and B). Various
routines, e.g. USF BLER and false USF detection, are available.
3GPP test mode B (GPRS/EGPRS)
This mode creates a loopback in the mobile
phone so that the mobile phone retransmits
data blocks received from the ¸CMU200.
To achieve maximum measurement speed,
the test mode does not employ the backward error correction function used in packet data transmission, which enables the acknowledgement-based (acknowledged/not
acknowledged) retransmission of erroneous
data blocks. The transmitter and the receiver are active at the same time. The mobile
phone returns the received data blocks to
the ¸CMU200 unchanged, comparable
to the loopback mode in circuit-switched operation. The data is looped back after channel coding, which means that the mobile
phone‘s coder and decoder functions are
tested as well.
In addition to the measurements available
in the 3GPP test mode A, test mode B enables very fast receiver test, bit error ratio
and Rohde & Schwarz-proprietary block error
ratio measurements in parallel to transmitter
tests (BER/DBLER)
¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester 11
12 ¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester
Fast production test mode for
test modes A, B and (E)GPRS
loop (GPRS/(E)GPRS)
3GPP EGPRS symmetrical and
non-symmetrical loopback mode
(EGPRS only)
Unlike in test mode B, the data blocks
are looped back before they undergo
channel coding, i.e. the coders are bypassed in favor of increased measurement speed. In the symmetrical (E)GPRS
loopback mode, 8PSK-modulated data
blocks are received in the downlink and
returned unchanged in the uplink. In
the non-symmetrical mode, 8PSK data
blocks are received in the downlink and
returned in the uplink as GMSK-modulated data spread over the next three
data blocks. Similar to test mode B, the
(E)GPRS loopback mode allows simultaneous transmitter and receiver tests
to be performed at an even higher data
throughput.
3GPP BLER measurements –
acknowledge mode (GPRS/(E)GPRS)
The BLER measurement mode employs
GPRS/(E)GPRS backward error correction. The ¸CMU200 sends data
blocks in allocated timeslots in the
downlink. The mobile phone checks the
data blocks for errors (CRC check) and,
instead of returning the data blocks, returns only the block acknowledgements
in the uplink. The mobile phone transmitter is thus only temporarily active
for sending uplink acknowledgements,
which means that transmitter measurements are possible only to a limited extent in the BLER mode.
For R&D requirements, the BLER menu
opens up a wide range of options to determine receiver characteristics even
beyond the scope of the 3GPP test scenarios. The ¸CMU200 furnishes an
average result over all timeslots used,
as well as the BLER and the actual data
throughput for each timeslot. The downlink transmitter level can be varied separately for each timeslot and is displayed
as an important test parameter together
with the data throughput and the resulting BLER. The (E)GPRS BLER measurement is based on a new retransmission
algorithm referred to as “incremental
redundancy“.
Incremental redundancy means that
errored blocks are retransmitted using
a different puncturing scheme. The
¸CMU200 can cycle through the
puncturing schemes as specified by the
3GPP standard, or start with a specific
puncturing scheme, or use the same
puncturing scheme throughout (incremental redundancy OFF).
Extremely fast adjustment and testing
of RF parameters during mobile phone
production is ensured by deactivating
the GPRS/(E)GPRS protocol stack. Without using all functions on the higher
protocol layer (RLC/MAC layer), the
¸CMU200 synchronizes the mobile
phone (camping), and the data channel
(PDCH) is then set up directly without
executing the time-consuming routines
of location update and GPRS/(E)GPRS
attach. Any signaling for reconfiguring
the test setup is likewise omitted. The
fast production test mode developed by
Rohde & Schwarz provides test conditions comparable to those defined for
the 3GPP test modes. The ¸CMU200
performs all transmitter and receiver
measurements described by 3GPP, but at
a considerably higher speed.
For GPRS/EGPRS, BLER measurements can be performed simultaneously on up to four downlink
timeslots. The actual data throughput, the BLER and the resulting data rate (RLC/MAC layer) are
displayed separately for each timeslot and as an average for all timeslots used. Furthermore an
incremental redundancy performance test is performed, and the channel quality is indicated.
GSM highlights of the
¸CMU200
Benchmark-breaking IEC/IEEE bus speed
due to
Optimized processing power and fast
◆
modulation spectrum measurement using
latest DSP generations
Statistical BER test based on confidence
◆
evaluation
High flexibility for R&D
Assignment on up to 8 UL and DL slots
◆
(TS 0 to 7)
TX/RX on any transmit slot
◆
Individual level generation on any DL slot
◆
used
3GPP packet data test mode supporting
◆
modes A, B and (E)GPRS loop
GPRS/(E)GPRS TBF reconfiguration during
◆
established link
GPRS/(E)GPRS intra-band handover
◆
In the 8PSK mode, the modulation analysis is subdivided. The error vector magnitude (EMV),
the magnitude error and the phase error can be displayed both numerically as shown above, or
graphically.
GMSK/8PSK measurements
Phase/frequency error, EVM, magnitude
◆
error, origin offset, I/Q imbalance GMSK
for I/Q modulator tuning
Power versus time
◆
On up to 4 UL slots
–
Normal/access
–
Peak power/average, power versus
–
frame, power versus slot
High-speed ACP measurement (switching
◆
and modulation measurement in parallel)
with additional time domain view
Timing error
◆
BER/DBLER, RBER/FER, FastBER
◆
BLER@4DL (GPRS/EGPRS)
Incremental redundancy support
◆
((E)GPRS)
Power versus PCL (on 3 or 7 channels)
◆
¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester 13
14 ¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester
WCDMA in the ¸CMU200
The need for higher data rates is the
consequence of an information-oriented society in the new millennium. The
enhancement of mobile devices takes
this need into account. Third-generation wireless communications pose new
challenges. Driven by ideas of the first
and second generation (SIM, global
roaming, CDMA technology, data services), WCDMA takes all fundamentals
to unprecedented levels and adds new
application fields as well as application-tailored data security. Derived from
Asian, American, and European ideas,
3G networks are the mobile solution
for future needs as well as the current
mainstream.
WCDMA FDD functionality
The tests provided by the ¸CMU200
are based on 3GPP/FDD Release 99 and
optional R5/R61) 2) WCDMA radio link
standards. Regular adaptations to new
releases and baselines are made as the
standard evolves; thus the ¸CMU200
today supports Release 5 as well as Release 6. Most of the measurements offered comply with the 3GPP specification
TS 34.121, chapter 5 (transmitter characteristics), chapter 6 (receiver characteristics), chapter 7 (performance tests), and
chapter 9 (performance requirements for
HSDPA)1) and chapter 10 (Performance
Requirements for HSUPA)2).
The ¸CMU200 can be equipped
with an FDD transmitter tester, an additional FDD generator, and FDD signaling hardware. Depending on the application, only the first or the first two
might be needed, allowing T&M budgets
to be optimized. The three units allow
the ¸CMU200 to be configured for
non-signaling TX, TX/RX or signaling TX/
1)
More ab out the HSDPA c apabilities in the f ollowing
sect ion.
2)
More ab out the HSUPA c apabilities in the f ollowing
sect ion.
RX measurements and functional testing on the UE (user equipment) in line
with the 3GPP specification. Due to the
highly user-friendly menu concept, the
¸CMU200 provides quick access to
all required measurements and optimizes
the handling and thus the efficiency of
complex measurement tasks with appropriate status messages and built-in
statistical functions. Different WCDMA/
FDD handover capabilities such as interfrequency and inter-band handover are
available in the ¸CMU200 WCDMA
solution. Moreover, handover to other
cellular networks such as GSM, i.e. interRAT handovers – blind or in compressed
mode – are implemented.
Non-signaling mode
The non-signaling mode is for generating
and analyzing WCDMA (3GPP/FDD)
signals in the full frequency range
of the ¸CMU200 base unit. The
¸CMU200 provides WCDMA-specific
TX measurements on signals with up to
six DPDCHs such as:
ACLR (adjacent channel leakage
◆
power ratio): two measurement
modes, filter (bargraph) and FFT
(cont. spectrum) method; absolute or
relative readout
OBW (occupied bandwidth)
◆
SEM (spectrum emission mask)
◆
CDP (code domain power):
◆
CDP vs all codes, CDP vs DCH channels, RHO vs all codes, RHO vs DCH
channels; all measurements in relative
or absolute readout, CDP versus time
Modulation (for 3GPP or general
◆
QPSK): EVM (error vector magnitude),
magnitude error, phase error, frequency error, I/Q offset, I/Q imbalance,
peak code domain error, RHO (waveform quality), transmit time error,
I/Q constellation/vector/eye diagram
Power: MAX, MIN, OFF (UE test
◆
mode)
Power versus slot, inner loop power
◆
Phase discontinuity
◆
The non-signaling mode allows tests of
all essential RF parameters of the connected UE, where autoranging for the
received UE signal is also applied. The
measurements are performed in unsynchronized mode. No call is set up
to evaluate UE performance using this
mode. No 3GPP FDD generator option is
needed. The capability to use different
3G dedicated triggers such as signaling trigger, IF, TPC, frame or slot trigger,
HSDPCCH etc, together with the flexible
trigger settings such as delay and delay
offset make this an interesting tool for
R & D applications where a protocol stack
is not available.
Reduced signaling
synchronized mode
This mode requires the 3GPP FDD generator option to be installed on top of the
transmitter tester. This generator for the
¸CMU200 provides all necessary forward link channels and 3GPP-conforming AWGN and orthogonal noise signals.
16 channels with OCNS can be added
and their power levels changed.
The generated channels and available
functions include the following:
P-CPICH/P-SCH/S-SCH/P-CCPCH/
◆
S-CPICH/PICH/DPCCH/DPDCH
Flexible adjustments of physical pa-
◆
rameters such as power, code, etc
for physical channels, including the
generation of data (pseudo noise sequences, and fixed data patterns)
TPC profiles (three predefined, one
◆
user-defined setting, seven user-selectable, five definable TPC setups)
In the connection folder of the con-
nection control menu, all relevant
¸CMU200 connection set-
tings are displayed together with
the reported UE capabilities. The
main control buttons to initiate and
release different connection types
are located here.
This screenshot shows a typical UE
output power response to the TPC
patterns. The power vs slot mea-
surement can be used with the pat-
terns A through H, a combination
of algorithms 1 and 2, and different
step sizes. Here, pattern F is used.
The inner loop measurement can be
displayed as absolute and relative
graphics or as a numeric power ver-
sus slot table.
In the phase discontinuity measure-
ment, the upper diagram shows the
measured UE power in up to 46 con-
secutive slots corresponding to the
last TPC pattern sent to the UE.
The lower diagram shows the phase
discontinuity in the measured slots.
¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester 15
16 ¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester
WCDMA in the ¸CMU200
OCNS (16 orthogonal channels)
◆
OCNS/Rel. 99 and OCNS/Rel. 5
AWGN
◆
The ¸CMU200 generator can also
provide non-channel-coded data on
the physical layer and allow slot formats from 0 through 16 to be selected.
Synchronization of the UE (but still no
call setup) is mandatory for RX evaluation, synchronized TX measurements,
and additional TX measurements such as
inner-loop power control with TPC commands:
TPC stepping measurement
◆
(UE receives TPC commands from the
¸CMU200 generator)
Receiver quality: BER, BLER, and
◆
DBLER (two modes, UE-assisted
evaluation, or RF loopback (realtime
receiver option needed))
Phase discontinuity measurement
◆
Using the ¸ABFS baseband fading
simulator and the ¸CMU200 with
optional IQ/IF interface, conditions of
fading may be simulated and the results
evaluated with the ¸CMU200. In
contrast to RF fading, a baseband fading
scenario makes it possible to maintain
the extremely high downlink accuracy
provided by the ¸CMU200 3GPP
FDD generator. In addition, basebandfaded testing usually comes at a much
lower cost than an RF fading solution.
All fading tests are possible in synchronized or signaling mode. The optional
IQ/IF interface can also be used for baseband testing when no RF section of the
UE is available in R&D.
The ACLR menu shows all adjacent-channel-related information in graphical as well as in scalar
numeric form. Since the ACLR FFT and OBW measurement methods are closely related, results
for occupied bandwidth are displayed simultaneously. The scalar display excluding the center
channel (0 MHz) may be switched to absolute readout as well.
FDD signaling mode
Signaling tests are tests in an environment closer to a true live network. 3GPP
currently specifies eleven different operating bands for FDD (bands 1 through
11). All eleven bands are optionally supported by the ¸CMU200.
The measurements offered are largely the
same as performed in synchronized mode.
In signaling mode, the ¸CMU200
simulates one WCDMA base-station RF
interface including the signaling protocol so that an FDD UE can be tested with
regard to various signaling parameters.
All necessary network and Node B (base
station) parameters such as control and
data channel configurations can be set.
In addition to the non-signaling tests, the
¸CMU200 provides features such as:
Dynamic setting of signaling
◆
parameters
RRC connection setup
◆
Readout of UE capabilities
◆
Authentication and security (integrity)
◆
Call setup (MOC, MTC)
◆
Call release (NIR, MIR)
◆
Measurements from non-signaling
◆
section
Open-loop power control (on/off time
◆
mask for RACH preambles)
Modulation quality measurements
◆
during the random access procedure
(PRACH preambles)
Phase discontinuity in line with
◆
3GPP TS 31.121 chapter 5.3.13
Inner-loop power control (traffic
◆
power commands, TPC patterns A
to H)
Test mode/test loop activation com-
◆
mand (test loop mode 1, transparent,
and test loop mode 2 with and without uplink CRC)
BTFD (blind transport format detec-
◆
tion) with false transmit format detection ratio (FDR) and transport format
indicator (UL TFCI)
The UE reports for the current and neighbor FDD cell (can be obtained from an existing FDD
cell on the air, for example) and from a neighbor GSM cell can be requested by activating the
compressed mode patterns. Four predefined compressed mode patterns can be combined. The
¸CMU200 also provides full flexibility with user-defined patterns as well as all 3GPP defined
compressed mode patterns.
Receiver quality: BER, BLER, and
◆
DBLER (RF loopback)
Readout of UE measurement reports
◆
on current and neighbor cell (UTRA/
GSM) (with activated compressed
mode (CM))
Several possibilities for handovers:
◆
from WCDMA to GSM (blind and
compressed mode), and back from
GSM to WCDMA (blind handover),
including neighbor cell measurement
The measurements can be performed
on different radio access bearers (RAB)
such as:
WB-AMR (optional) at 23.85 kbit/s,
◆
23.05 kbit/s, 19.85 kbit/s, 18.25 kbit/s,
15.85 kbit/s, 14.25 kbit/s,12.65 kbit/s,
8.85 kbit/s, 6.60 kbit/s (codec set A to
I, M) with selectable audio loopback
RMC at 12.2 kbit/s, 64 kbit/s,
◆
144 kbit/s, 384 kbit/s
Asymetric RMC at
◆
UL/144 kbit/s DL/64 kbit/s
UL/384 kbit/s DL/64 kbit/s
UL/384 kbit/s DL/144 kbit/s
BTFD (blind transport format detection
◆
12.2 kbit/s RMC in combination with
◆
HSDPA and HSUPA (optional)
Video call in loopback mode at
◆
64 kbit/s fixed data rate in UL, DL
SRB at 1.7 kbit/s, 2.5 kbit/s,
◆
3.4 kbit/s, and 13.6 kbit/s
AMR at 12.2 kbit/s, 10.2 kbit/s,
◆
7.95 kbit/s, 7.4 kbit/s, 6.7 kbit/s,
5.9 kbit/s, 5.15 kbit/s, 4.75 kbit/s
(codec set A to H, M) with selectable
audio loopback
Packet-switched connection at
◆
fixed data rate of UL/64 kbit/s and
DL/384 kbit/s or 64 kbit/s UL and DL,
or 384 kbit/s UL and DL, 64 kbit/s
and 384 kbit/s in combination with
HSDPA and HSUPA (optional)
An optional AMR speech codec for
WCDMA that supports the above-listed
data rates is also available. It allows audio measurements to be performed with
the ¸CMU200 audio board (option)
or on an external audio analyzer, e.g. the
¸UPL16.
The high flexibility of the signaling
stack allows various parameters in the
¸CMU200 MMI to be changed or
different Node B configurations to be
simulated via remote control.
Quality assurance
Due to its high measurement repeatability and accuracy, the ¸CMU200
is the right choice to help ensure a consistently high level of quality. WCDMA specific measurements such as BER/
BLER and EVM, plus the full implementation of complementary (i.e. ACLR
and OBW) measurements provide an
excellent test platform for high-quality
products. Unrivaled AF/audio and RF/
)
fading performance allows test setups at
a low price, with compact size and high
test depth.
¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester 17
18 ¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester
WCDMA in the ¸CMU200
WCDMA development
The well-structured, user-friendly menu
design and the clear-cut screen layout
provide quick access to all features and
ensures trouble-free monitoring of the
device under test (DUT). The tester can
be switched between 3GPP and general
QPSK modes to increase the usability
with DUTs under development. For analysis of the signaling messages between
the UE and the ¸CMU200, an optional message analyzer is available.
Production of mobile phones
The production of mobile phones requires time-efficient and cost-effective measurements that simultaneously
ensure both high throughput and high
yield. Owing to market-leading accuracy
and the unique IEC/IEEE bus concept of
the ¸CMU200, these two goals can
be easily achieved in production environments.
Repair applications (manufacturing and service centers)
With its outstanding versatility, the
¸CMU200 is also a suitable tool
for mobile phone troubleshooting. Four
configurable RF ports and a built-in RF
connector switch matrix (standard unit)
are provided to enable flexible signal
level ranges and switching. Since each
¸CMU200 measurement menu allows an independent setting for the
input and output ports, a phone fixture
and spectrum analyzer probe can
remain permanently connected to the
¸CMU200.
After the software has been ported to the mobile phone, users often want to record protocols to optimize internal processes or to perform an error analysis that may be necessary. The ¸CMU-Z46 message analyzer and recorder option allows all universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) protocol layers to be recorded, which can then be used for more detailed analysis. When installed on an external PC and communicated to the ¸CMU200
via an Ethernet connection, this powerful tool permits in-depth analyses, including transport layer analyses.
This measurement shows the receiver sensitivity measurement on a UE at –110 dBm P-CPICH in
test-loop mode 2. In addition to the minimum DL power condition, the compressed mode can be
selected to see if the same sensitivity is maintained with compressed mode. The ¸CMU200
also provides a ”lost transport blocks” counter for easier troubleshooting.
Switching standards
Multimode UE applications are possible
using the handover capabilities of the
Fast switching between 3GPP FDD and
any of the other numerous standards
supported by the ¸CMU200 is a
standard feature of the instrument and
can be achieved by simply pressing a
¸CMU200 such as blind and com-
pressed mode handover to GSM as well
as blind handover or handover including
inter-RAT neighbor cell measurement
from GSM back to WCDMA.
button.
Versatile production test layouts are possible and true multimode test bays that
utilize the flexibility and throughput of
the ¸CMU200 are no longer a concept of the future.
WCDMA highlights of the
¸CMU200
Benchmark-breaking ICE/IEEE bus speed
◆
(see highlights of base unit)
Combined measurements, many different
◆
measurement modes
Multiband/multimode testing
◆
Powerful signaling capabilities available:
◆
MOC, MTC, MIR, NIR, inter-frequency
handover, inter-band handover, inter-RAT
handover
Display of UE capabilities
◆
Large selection of radio access bearers
◆
(RABs) with various data rates including
video call in loopback mode
Up to 384 kbit/s reference measurement
◆
channels (symmetrical and asymmetrical)
3GPP-conforming generation of OCNS
◆
(orthogonal channel noise simulation)
and AWGN
Separate and highly accurate level set-
◆
ting for individual DL code channels
Simple voice test using AB/echo by
◆
tester; dedicated audio tests available
(option)
User-defined settings of RF-relevant
◆
signaling parameters
ON/OFF time mask for open-loop power
◆
measurements including the system info
settings
Power vs slot menu for realtime measure-
◆
ment of RMS UE transmit power in up to
100 consecutive slots
3G dedicated trigger options such as IF
◆
power, signaling, slot, frame, preamble,
PRACH message part, TPC, compressed
mode, and change of TFC trigger
External message analyzer for reading
◆
signaling message log files (option)
Simple interactive operation in manual
◆
MMI
Configuration of compressed mode for
◆
neighbor cell reports
Handover and BER/BLER procedures
◆
during compressed mode
¸CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester 19
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