Antenna Systems & Technology - Summer 2013 - (Page 25)

TEST & MEASUREMENT FieldFox Analyzers Can Now Be Remotely Controlled via Apple iOS Devices Agilent Technologies, Inc. has announced that its FieldFox handheld analyzers can now be remotely controlled via an iOS device such as an iPad or iPhone. Also new are a spectrum analysis time-gating option and support for Agilent’s USB peak-power sensors. These features provide engineers the precision and flexibility they need to more easily and quickly test their RF communications infrastructure. FieldFox’s remote control capability, Option 030, enables viewing and control of the instrument via the Remote Viewer iOS application. With a wireless LAN or cellular broadband data connection using an iOS device, the FieldFox analyzers can now be placed in areas where users do not wish to stay long due to extremely harsh or unsafe conditions. Additionally, if one technician or engineer has trouble making a measurement or determining the source of a problem, another can step in to remotely troubleshoot and solve the problem. Once users launch the Remote Viewer, they can access FieldFox demo videos and technical literature such as user guides, application notes and datasheets. This enables engineers and technicians in the field to quickly find the data they need to resolve network issues as they arise. Access to this information also makes the app suited for training and educational purposes. “Carrying precision into the field is the driving idea behind Agilent’s FieldFox analyzers,” said Dan Dunn of Agilent’s Component Test Division. “Our new remote control capability reinforces this principle by enabling our customers to make precise RF and microwave measurements right from their iPad.” FieldFox’s new spectrum analysis time-gating function, Option 238, is specifically geared toward engineers testing the pulse characteristics of their radar systems. Unlike competing solutions, FieldFox’s time-gating function allows users to view both frequency and time domain at the same time, and it can measure very narrow pulses (less than 1 us wide) with sweep time as small as 8 us. Enhanced trigger functions (burst trigger and pre-trigger, for example) further ease the signal-measurement challenge. Peak power measurements are necessary to test pulsed transmissions. FieldFox’s power meter, Option 302, now supports Agilent’s USB peak-power sensors, enabling engineers to measure peak and average power to 18 or 40 GHz. This offers the same accuracy as measurements obtained using traditional peak-power meters. By extending FieldFox’s frequency to tackle measurements in the 40 GHz range, the power meter option is well suited for radar engineers maintaining and troubleshooting radar communications equipment and networks. www.AntennasOnline.com NEW PRODUCTS & SERVICES Agilent’s new remote-control capability (Option 030) for the FieldFox RF and microwave analyzers is now available to order for $500. The Remote Viewer iOS application can be downloaded from the Apple app store for viewing. The spectrum analyzer time-gating function (Option 238) is available for $850. It can be used with the N9913/14/15/16/17/18A and N9935/36/37/38A FieldFox units. Support for Agilent’s USB peak-power sensors is included in the FieldFox power meter (Option 302), which is available for $500. Test System Enables Third Party Testing for 802.11n WLAN OTA Measurements Cetecom has selected Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) to enhance their over-the-air (OTA) testing capabilities with a new test system that includes LTE multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) and 802.11n functionality. The TS8991 test system can perform OTA measurements for LTE MIMO in addition to all cellular 2G, 3G and 4G technology standards. It is not only capable of performing the legacy IEEE 802.11 WLAN standards for a, b, and g, but is the first system in any third party test labs worldwide capable of performing 802.11n WLAN OTA measurements. Unique to the system is its auto-calibration capability, which dramatically decreases system calibration time from hours to under 30 minutes, while achieving the same accuracy and repeatability in results. With the global adoption of LTE and the importance placed on customer satisfaction and wireless performance, device manufacturers have to ensure that their antenna subsystems adhere to the latest in conformance and interoperability standards in order to minimize any negative impacts to the overall customer experience. With this new test system, Cetecom’s OTA testing capabilities are expanded to ensure compliance to the latest MIMO industry methodologies from CTIA, 3GPP as well as any operator-specific test plans. The R&S TS8991 OTA test solution was installed at Cetecom’s facility in Milpitas, CA. From a hardware perspective, the configured TS8991 system consists of the R&S CMW500 radio communications analyzer, the R&S ZNB eight four-port vector network analyzer, the R&S NRP2 power meter together with dual Z11 power sensors, and the R&S OSP RF switch platform. The wireless performance test chamber is a combination of the Howland Company’s conical-cut positioning system including the dual theta axis positioners for MIMO and the fully anechoic chamber is provided by AP Americas. The R&S AMS32 test and Summer 2013 Antenna Systems & Technology 25 http://www.AntennasOnline.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Antenna Systems & Technology - Summer 2013

Antenna Systems & Technology - Summer 2013
Editor’s Choice
DAS Applications: Achieving Faster Data Throughput & Maintaining Optimal Connectivity in Challenging In-Building Environments
Antennas
AISG Solutions for Remote Electrical Tilt Antennas and Tower Mounted Amplifiers
Case Study: Simulating Stealth Antenna Patterns
Components/Subsystems
Materials/Manufacturing
Software/System Design
Test & Measurement
Marketplace
Industry News

Antenna Systems & Technology - Summer 2013