The network test and measurement space is busily supporting wireless operators as they transition to LTE networks and advanced wireless services. RCR Wireless News’ Kelly Hill is tracking this space in a weekly look at analysis, trends and new products in test and measurement.
National Technical Systems is now conducting radio frequency safety testing at its Silicon Valley lab in Fremont, Calif.
The company is partnering with RF Exposure Lab, which is based in southern California, to provide the specific absorption rate testing services at the facility, which already performs RF and electromagnetic compatibility testing. SAR testing is required for wireless equipment that emits RF energy and is designed to be handheld or worn on the body, to ensure that the device’s emissions are within acceptable limits.
NTS said that the rapid growth of wireless devices such as smartphones is increasing the need for SAR testing facilities.
NTS president and CEO William McGinnis said that the expanded testing service is “a key piece in our overall service offering for wireless equipment manufacturers.
“There is a major international market for SAR testing, and a large market in the Bay Area alone, and it’s a capability that is necessary to properly service our clients,” he added.
Telefonica I+D, the company’s research and development lab, and Nokia Siemens Networks said that they have successfully tested NSN’s FlexiGrad architecture for optical networks. The laboratory trial was conducted as part of Telefonica’s effort to focus on network evolution and entailed using FlexiGrid with a generalized multi-protocol labeling switching control system. Nokia Siemens said that the architecture increased spectral efficiency by 50% and reduced fragmentation in the optical transport network.
“This is a key step to increase the efficiency and performance of our core transport networks,” said Juan Fernandez-Palacios, head of core network evolution for Telefonica I+D’s chief technology office unit.
Also this week, Tektronix said that it will conduct the industry’s first demonstration of a M-PHY test solution for the MIPI Alliance’s physical layer specs for mobile devices. The demo will be held next week in Bangkok, Thailand, in partnership with Synopsys, which is collaborating with Tektronix on expanding the M-PHY ecosystem.
Tektronix also launched a new software update for automated test support for 400-gigabits-per-second, multi-carrier coherent optical modulation this week. Research on 400G transport networks is being driven largely by mobile traffic and cloud computing, according to Brian Reich, GM of performance oscilloscopes for Tektronix.
“We see 400G as the next big milestone and superchannel technology as the most likely winner, at least in the near term. This new software will go a long way toward helping to advance multi-carrier modulation methodologies as new standards emerge,” he added.
Along those lines, Frost & Sullivan’s test and measurement practice said this week that the growing number of fiber-based networks is driving demand for equipment that can test them. Since fiber optic networks are presumed to be the future framework for telecom, the ability to ensure real-time capabilities of fast data transfer are integral. However, Frost & Sullivan said that end-user understanding of the benefits of proactive testing is lacking.
“End users do not fully comprehend the sophisticated technologies or possess the skills to use them effectively,” the analyst firm said in a statement. “Furthermore, while the number of fiber cable networks has grown, the number of networks monitored for proper functioning has not gone up, resulting in performance degradation.”
“Suppliers must educate companies on the importance of proactive testing,” concluded Frost & Sullivan industry manager Sujan Sami.
On a global basis, Frost & Sullivan said that fiber optic test equipment will grow from revenues of more than $584.4 million in 2011 to about $805.8 million in 2018.
Texas Instruments has a new kit for evaluating high-speed data converter systems, which it says is the industry’s first such complete kit. The $800 kit for basic evaluation is aimed at test and measurement, communications, defense and medical equipment markets.
And if you’re looking for something to do, Anritsu is running its 2013 “Toughest Site” competition. You can win a Harley-Davidson motorcycle (or at least get a free t-shirt) for outlining how their equipment held up at the coldest, hottest, highest, busiest or just generally most irksome mobile network sites.
