Austest Laboratories recently purchased a Rhode & Schwarz wireless communications test set covering testing of 4G LTE-Advanced devices for measurement of radiated spurious emissions. This testing is required where approved LTE modules are used in different host systems, ensuring end-product compliance is maintained to ACMA and RED requirements for CE. The set supports LTE-Advanced operation across all FCC and TDD bands and also supports the following technologies:

Cellular

  • Mobile WiMAX™
  • TD-SCDMA
  • CDMA2000®1xRTT
  • CDMA2000®1xEV-DO
  • WCDMA/HSPA
  • HSPA+
  • GSM
  • GPRS
  • EDGE
  • EDGE Evolution

Broadcast

  • DVB-T
  • FM stereo
  • CMMB
  • T-DMB

Wireless Connectivity

  • WLAN a/b/g/n
  • Bluetooth®

With this purchase, Austest Laboratories provides GSM, 3G and LTE test capabilities with the option of more wireless technologies if required, including 5G.

The purchase includes hardware for operating simultaneously two RF channels, required for carrier aggregation and 2 x 2 MIMO testing.  It also has IPv4 connectivity, providing easier test setup for EUTs requiring access to a remote server.

Austest Labs also provides Cat-M1 testing in a lab environment for certification and R&D purposes.  Cat-M1 (Category M1) is currently provided over 4G/LTE in Australia by Telstra and functions on a 1.4 MHz (reduced from 20 MHz) spectrum, has a lower transmit power and provides average upload speeds between 200kpbs and 400 kpbs. This technology can extend battery life and because of this, along with coverage, security and efficiency, is seen as the perfect medium for IoT (Internet of Things) devices.

Austest Laboratories is expanding its test capabilities to cover VoLTE and augments out existing accredited BT and WLAN testing to AS/NZS 4268 and ETS EN 300 328.