Agilent Adds Bluetooth Capability to Signal Generators; Launches Drive Test Solutions
Conceived in 1998, Bluetooth technology is designed to eliminate the cables needed to connect mobile communication devices, mobile computers, and peripherals. Bluetooth technology will enable users to connect their mobile computers, digital cellular phones, handheld devices, network access points, and other mobile devices through a short-range 2.4 GHz radio link. Through these wireless links, users will automatically receive e-mail on their notebook computer through the cellular phones in their pockets. In addition, they will synchronize their primary PC with their handheld computer without taking it out of their briefcase.
Since its inception, Bluetooth as received great acceptance in the wireless industry. In fact, in a recent report, Allied Business Intelligence (ABI; Oyster Bay, NY) said that Bluetooth sales may exceed $2 million by 2005. In addition, AZ-based Cahner's In-Stat Group says there will be 670 million Bluetooth-enabled devices worldwide by 2005.
Engineers developing products equipped with Bluetooth technology can now easily simulate a fully coded Bluetooth signal using Agilent's ESG series of digital signal generators, while adding impairments to the signal to see how their designs fare under real-world conditions. In addition, an analysis capability has been added to Agilent's 89441A vector signal analyzer that allows accurate design testing and troubleshooting of Bluetooth designs.
The Agilent ESG series of digital signal generators ranges from $12,950 to $21,450. Pricing for the 89441A vector signal analyzer starts at $56,000.
Drive test solutions
In a set of separate announcements, Agilent also unveiled enhancements to two of its drive test solutions. Through these enhancements, engineers can better develop and optimize their wireless network designs.
In the first release, Agilent said it has upgraded its E7474A TDMA drive-test system, which enables wireless network designers to solve the problem of locating co- and adjacent-channel interference. The drive-test system now decodes the digital verification color code (DVCC), the base-station identification number transmitted in each frame of a TDMA base-station signal. With this capability, Agilent's receiver-based E7474A can scan the frequency band, identify the presence of an interfering signal, and determine the DVCC of that signal. The operator can use the information to determine which base station is the interference source.
Agilent has also unleashed a new option for its CDMA, TDMA, and GSM drive-test systems. The new option allows wireless designers to make indoor RF-coverage measurements using the same set of tools that they use for outdoor drive testing.
Indoor measurements can be made with existing Agilent Technologies drive-test systems by upgrading software and adding accessories. A test operator, using portable phone- and receiver-based tools and a pen-tablet computer that runs measurement software, can display a digitized floor plan of an indoor site and then walk through the building, making measurements associated with specific locations on the floor plan.
The DVCC decode capability can be added to any existing Agilent E7474A receiver-based measurement software as a free upgrade. Pricing for Agilent's E7474A drive-test system starts at $12,000.
The indoor measurement capability is now available as Option 180 for the Agilent E7473A CDMA, E7474A TDMA and E7475A GSM drive-test systems. The software for existing systems is $900. The CDMA indoor solution with pen-tablet PC is offered at a base price of 26,000. Pricing for the TDMA version with pen-tablet PC starts at $18,000 while pricing for the GSM version with pen-table PC begins at $16,600. Delivery is estimated eight to 10 weeks from receipt of order.
For more information on any of the upgraded Agilent test solutions, contact the company at 800-452-4844.
Edited by Robert Keenan