Anritsu Introduces Next-Generation Base Station Analyzer to Measure 4G Technologies

(Product News, 10 Jul 2009)

Anritsu Company introduces the BTS Master MT8221B, a high-performance handheld base station analyzer that has been specifically developed to support emerging 4G standards as well as installed 2G/3G networks. The MT8221B's platform provides a 20 MHz demodulation capability to measure technologies such as LTE and WiMAX, and a 30-MHz Zero-Span IF Output for external demodulation of virtually any other wideband signal. In addition, a Vector Signal Generator option with the flexibility to generate two modulated signals plus noise is available for comprehensive receiver testing.

Senior cell site technicians and RF engineers can use the BTS Master MT8221B to accurately and quickly test and verify the installation and commissioning of base stations and cell sites, for optimal wireless network performance. It is equally suited for on-going maintenance and troubleshooting to help ensure the operation of wireless network infrastructure. Key performance indicators (KPIs), such as dropped calls, call denial, or call blocking rates due to a malfunction at the cell site or interference, can be easily and accurately detected with the BTS Master MT8221B.

Existing 2G/3G networks and 4G networks being rolled out can be tested with the BTS Master MT8221B. The analyzer can measure the RF quality and modulation quality of a wireless signal to verify the performance of virtually every subsystem in a base station’s transmitter. Downlink Over-the-Air (OTA) Quality tests verify the performance of the downlink with the OTA scanners.

SOFTWARE FOR EASY DATA TRANSFER, REPORTING
The BTS Master comes with Master Software Tools (MST) that allows data acquired by the analyzer to be easily transferred to a computer. MST saves significant time generating reports by utilizing the Trace Rename Utility and Group Edit. Efficient review of up to a week's worth of data collected by the BTS Master can be consolidated into one file through MST's Folder Spectrogram's 3-D view, which allows users to zoom into acquired data and provides independent 3-axis rotation control.

MST also provides a Remote Access Tool (RAT) to monitor and control the BTS Master remotely over the Internet. With the tool, supervisors can remotely verify measurements that have been taken in the field. RAT also saves cost by creating un-staffed remote listening posts for interference analysis, thus freeing up technicians for other trouble spots.

The BTS Master MT8221B is small (315 x 211 x 94 mm), lightweight (4.9 kg), and battery operated, making it easy for technicians to use it anywhere at a cell site. In less than 5 minutes, measurements can be made. The analyzer uses the field-proven design of all Anritsu handheld instruments, which means the BTS Master MT8221B will deliver reliable performance in rugged outdoor environments.

All key field measurements can be made with the BTS Master MT8221B. Technicians and engineers can conduct line sweeps, analyze components and antennas, troubleshoot down to a field replaceable unit (FRU) in the base station, verify the performance of the cell site's backhaul lines, and locate hard-to-find interference problems with the BTS Master MT8221B.