AGILENT ROLLS OUT WIMAX TESTER

Measurement vendor and WiMAX Forum member Agilent Technologies has introduced a WiMAX manufacturing test system, the Agilent MXZ-1000, aimed at WiMAX consumer premises equipment and PC card makers looking for a calibration and tuning solution. The MXZ-1000 supports both fixed and mobile “last mile” broadband wireless access technologies using point-to-point or point-to-multipoint architecture. It combines the Agilent MXA Signal Analyzer, MXG Signal Generator and an interface unit in one system while offering different configuration options. The MXZ-1000 features graphical user interfaces, which Agilent believes will help those working in high-volume manufacturing environments. Agilent's test system also offers Beceem's BCS120 chipset library, allowing it to directly control Beceem's BCS120 baseband and radio frequency chipset and the WiMAX modem software. As part of its agreement with Agilent, Beceem will certify the company's test systems for use by manufacturers developing mobile WiMAX products based on the BCS120 chipset.
www.agilent.com

INTELLIGENT LOCKS FOR WIRELESS SITES

Videx, an access control and data collection product maker, has debuted the CyberLock family of electronic padlocks and electronic cylinders for door and cabinet lock hardware. Videx intends the CyberLock products to bring key control and an audit trail to cell tower sites and “telecom hotels” such as rooftop antenna site equipment rooms, allowing companies to grant access to service technicians and track their activities in the field. Both lock and key can record events for management tracking. CyberLock products require no hardwiring or structural changes. Videx says the cylinders are pick-proof, and the electronic CyberKeys cannot be duplicated. Videx offers differing levels to manage their CyberLock products. For example, companies requiring high security and key control can use CyberAudit Professional, a Windows program that includes access scheduling , audit reports, key expirations, report generation and event notification by e-mail. Those companies spread over a wide area can use CyberAudit-Web Enterprise, which is packaged on a Linux-based server and accessed by a Web browser.
www.videx.com

TEST EQUIPMENT FOR EVOLVING WI-FI

Wi-Fi engineering test equipment company Azimuth Systems has unveiled its new ADEPT-n multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) test platform. The ADEPT-n is a single-box, point-to-multipoint tester that allows repeatable performance, interoperability and functional testing of 802.11n devices. Azimuth has targeted the platform at semiconductor vendors, device manufacturers and service providers to test client and access points as well as conduct protocol testing. It can support 4×4 MIMO paths and includes the company's Director II Test Executive, a software application that enables users to control device configuration and tests, run standard scripts (or build custom scripts) and schedule overnight regression testing from a central console. ADEPT-n also includes a centralized database and reporting software, which allows sharing of test data between labs and functional groups. Azimuth has made the test platform available in several engineering and quality assurance test configurations. The company intends the ADEPT-n to succeed its W series 802.11 a/b/g test platform.
www.azimuthsystems.com

FIELD UPGRADABLE WIRELESS LINKS

BridgeWave Communications, a Gigabit wireless solutions vendor, has made available a line of point-to-point 100 Mb/s wireless bridges, which can be upgraded in the field to full Gigabit Ethernet speeds. BridgeWave believes this can help avoid time-consuming and expensive hardware upgrades. The FE80U and FE80XU are aimed at network operators and enterprises looking for alternatives to traditional 100 Mb/s, 18-to-38 GHz links. They offer frequency reuse in the 80 GHz licensed spectrum to support a range of metropolitan applications. Users can increase bandwidth on the FE80U and FE80XU by activating a Web-enabled software key. When upgraded to Gigabit Ethernet speeds, the bridges include BridgeWave AdaptRate technology, which helps in maintaining continuous operation. The FE80XU also features a range of antennas to provide availability over long distances. Wireless broadband service provider Nth Air has already deployed the bridges as part of its network in the Bay Area.
www.bridgewave.com

ZK CELLTEST UPGRADES TO IDEN

Field measurement and network optimization solution provider ZK Celltest has added integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN) technology to its range of ZK-SAM cellular field measurement and network optimization products. With the upgrade, iDEN and CDMA networks can be compared and analyzed using the same piece of equipment. ZK-SAM product users can perform benchmark testing of operators and technologies in a single drive on as many as five networks simultaneously. The iDEN solution is also available on the ZK real-time monitoring system, which comprises mobile units installed in taxis, buses and delivery vehicles that collect data and send it to a central server for use via secure Internet portals. ZK Celltest's product family does not require a laptop to log captured drive test data. The company believes this helps in testing in vehicles because drivers can concentrate on the road instead of a laptop screen, as well as in building use, where a laptop may be too cumbersome for walking tests.
www.zk.com