Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) has introduced its 89600 WLA
software, a MAC-layer complement to the company's industry-leading 89600
VSA software. The seamless combination of vector signal analysis and
wireless link analysis gives system-integration engineers and verification
engineers greater visibility into the increasingly complex and dynamic
interaction between the MAC and physical layers in product designs based on
today's wireless standards.
As implemented in Agilent's 89600 WLA software, wireless link
analysis decodes control and feedback messages and then correlates them with
the physical-layer signals they manage. The key benefit is the ability to view
and interpret RF activity and measurements-retransmissions, power, modulation
format, timing and so on-in a MAC-message context, and to also view and
interpret MAC messages in an RF context.
"A typical RF analyzer alone isn't capable of providing a
complete picture of complex link behavior," said Guy Sene, vice president
and general manager of Agilent's Microwave and Communications Division.
"With the 89600 WLA software, PHY-savvy engineers can add new
analysis capabilities to their existing 89600 VSA test setups for a modest
additional investment of time and expense."
The 89600 WLA emphasizes the graphical representation of
information, which is an effective way to assess the inherently dynamic nature
of, for example, LTE signals. A visual approach enables fast identification of
anomalies, even if the engineer is not expecting to see a problem-and
especially if they are not an expert in LTE signaling protocols. Once a problem
is identified visually, detailed analysis will help reveal the cause of the
suspect behavior.
Agilent's 89600 WLA software includes several capabilities that
enhance the analysis of LTE devices:
- Extends the existing LTE FDD
and TDD analysis capabilities provided by 89600 VSA software.
- Performs multi-layer decoding,
which reveals information carried in upper-layer messages that determine
the format of RF-level signals.
- Produces graphical displays of
control loop activity, including user-configurable plotting of changes in
the 20 or more downlink control parameters.
- Includes a hybrid automatic
repeat-request process monitor that highlights if and where retransmission
processes are occurring.
- Provides easy and convenient
display and location of cyclic redundancy check failures.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
Agilent's 89600 WLA software is available now worldwide. The list
price is $6,000. More information is available at www.agilent.com/find/89600_WLA.
High-resolution images are available at www.agilent.com/find/89600_WLA_images.
More information about the 89600 VSA is available at www.agilent.com/find/89600_VSA.
The backgrounder "Providing deeper insights into dynamic BTS/UE signals
with wireless link analysis software" is available.
About
Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier
measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life
sciences, electronics and communications. The company's 18,500 employees serve
customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.4 billion
in fiscal 2010. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com.