Crossover testing between different radio access technologies (RATs) is becoming increasingly important for verifying LTE user equipment. When equipment is outside the LTE service area, it typically relies on the network's 2G or 3G infrastructure. To ensure a positive customer experience, the equipment must seamlessly transition between these technologies, leading operators to focus even more on verifying the real-world performance of all devices before deploying them on their networks. Such performance testing goes far beyond traditional conformance testing defined by industry regulatory bodies.

“Inter-RAT handovers present a unique challenge for today's user equipment,” says Guy Séné, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Microwave and Communications Division. “With Agilent's Inter-RAT test automation, our customers can perform reliable measurements without writing complex code or programming test equipment.”

As an established solution for stress-testing equipment, Agilent's IFT supports a range of functions, including equipment control voice calls, web browsing, SMS, and MMS. It also supports Verizon's battery drain compliance test plan. New N5973A automation scripts implement the Inter-RAT LTE-CDMA compliance test plan and run on an IFT platform. The software is used in conjunction with the PXT Mobile Communications Test Set and the 8960 Mobile Communications Test Set, bringing realistic network testing scenarios to the lab environment.

Agilent's PXT Mobile Communications Test Set, Agilent's 8960 E5515C Mobile Communications Test Set, and other leading Agilent 3G and 4G design and test solutions will be showcased at CTIA 2001 in Orlando, Florida, from March 22-24, at Booth 2231.

The new IFT N5973A automation for the Inter-RAT LTE-CDMA conformance test plan and the CDMA N5971A interactive functional test software are now available (pricing based on configuration).

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