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For the very latest specifications visit www.aeroflex.com Application Note Aeroflex 2201 Prolock or PXI 3000 modular instruments offer complete test solutions for anyone wishing to test RF 2G/3G modems used in Wireless and M2M (Machine to Machine) Communications. Testing M2M RF Modems with Aeroflex RF Test Solutions

Testing M2M RF modems with Aeroflex RF test solutions ... · PDF filetest call and takes GSM, GPRS and/or WCDMA measurements at the required accuracy, in manual mode or automatically

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For the very latest specifications visit www.aeroflex.com

ApplicationNote

Aeroflex 2201 Prolock or PXI 3000 modular instrumentsoffer complete test solutions for anyone wishing to test RF2G/3G modems used in Wireless and M2M (Machine toMachine) Communications.

Testing M2M RF Modems with AeroflexRF Test Solutions

Introduction

M2M is the abbreviation for machine-to-machine, or technologythat supports wired or wireless communication between machines.M2M is used in telemetry, data collection, remote control, robotics,remote monitoring, status tracking, road traffic control, offsite diagnostics and maintenance, security systems, logistic services,fleet management, and telemedicine…

The expansion of 2G/3G wireless networks across the world hasmade it far easier for M2M communication to take place and haslessened the amount of power and time necessary for informationto be communicated between machines. These networks alsoallow an array of new business opportunities and connectionsbetween consumers and producers in terms of the products beingsold.

The Importance of Testing M2M Modems

Normally any communicating M2M device starts with a modem/module from manufacturers like Cinterion, Sierra Wireless, Telit ….These modems have all been type approved according to testsspecified by 2G (GSM) or 3G (UMTS) standards, just like any mobilephone in the market.

Nevetheless in the case of M2M these modems are then built intoproducts (e.g electricity meters, vehicles, credit card terminals etc),so additional hardware and software is added to make a completeproduct. Some of those also include other RF devices like Bluetooth,Zigbee, Wifi, GPS…generating possible sources of interferencewithin the product. On top of that some sort of central system orservice application is normally needed to retrieve, handle and storedata from the products.

Because of the additional complexity in a M2M applications potential problems can occur. In order to avoid unpredicted cost (re-visits of already deployed products or re-calling of products) it isimperative to test and validate key traffic and signalling behaviour ina test environment.Customer complete products can be tested to dig deeper anddetermine things like:

- Transmitter power/freq/modulation accuracy

- Receiver sensitivity

- Connection to the network in different modes (GSM, GPRS,WCDMA…)

- Interoperability of different included RF devices

Tests like these have proven to be successful when developing andsecuring end to end communication functionality as well as andchoice of aerial/antenna for optimized and cost-effective installationand operation.

Testing M2M Modems

For testing M2M modems there are different test philosophiesdepending on the test setup and environment (production, validation..), test requirements (capacity, specification, speed…) andtestability (budget, resources, access to module test modes…).

For most RF modems subsystems there are two main test modes, afunctional Protocol or signaling test mode and an RF Protocol-lessor reduced signaling test mode:

- Signaling test is very familiar to RF test engineers, as it is used within the test lifecycle in stages prior to manufacturing test. Themodem can be tested in a traditional way where the test engineergoes about establishing what he might refer to as a “call”. Thisrequires over-the-air protocol for the purposes of test. In turn, theresulting test setup would require test equipment which is capable of signaling to establish the over-the-air protocol. So themodem is being tested in a traditional manner, operating in whatcould be described as a “normal mode” of operation.

In contrast, a non-signaling device is not tested in the same way. Anon-signaling device does not need over-the-air protocol in order tobe tested. This means that the DUT is not being used in a traditional way and the control of the non-signaling device duringtest is driven by appropriate support in the chipset of the module.This support, or feature set, is referred to as a test modewhich has been developed by the chipset or silicon vendor. This testmode incorporates features and capability so that it can be testedas efficiently as possible in manufacturing. This is different to any normal mode of operation and is orientated to engineering use, notlike any real world use of the end device.

For the very latest specifications visit www.aeroflex.com

Testing M2M Modem in Signaling Mode

The main advantage of testing M2M modem in signaling mode isthe ability to simulate real user experience and cover both RF andfunctional testing. Furthermore is it usually easy to implement inmanual or automated mode without much RF or programmingexperience.

Aeroflex Test Setup for signaling mode:

Consisting of

2201 ProLock 2G/3G Test Set: the 2201 ProLock is small, easy touse and affordable Test Set that supports the test of both GSM andWCDMA phones, modems and wireless devices. The 2201 sets uptest call and takes GSM, GPRS and/or WCDMA measurements atthe required accuracy, in manual mode or automatically through theLector software.

4916 Antenna Coupler: connects the phone, modem or wirelessdata card to the tester, rendering extra RF connectors unnecessaryand including the antenna in the test.

4921 RF Shield: avoids interference with real networks or other teststations.

7312 Lector Enhanced/Scriptor: allows even untrained personnelto perform reliable testing of standard mobile phones/modemsfrom any Windows PC, with Pass/Fail verdict and test protocol. TheScriptor option allows to write customized test sequences includingserial AT Commands when required by the DUT.

Example of 2G GSM/GPRS Modem Testing

Test Configuration:

- GSM modem including Cinterion TC65i chipset with RF antennaconnector and serial data connection to send AT Commands.

- Test SIM

- 2201 Prolock with GSM option

- PC with Terminal software

Manual Test: GSM Mode

- On the 2201, select GSM mode, then enter Network settings andattenuation. Note, Network parameters should be set to defaultswith MCC=1, MNC=1).

- Connect the RF antenna of the modem to the 2201

- Connect the PC terminal to the modem data connectionand setup serial port

- Make a BS call from the 2201

- Answer the call on the Modem by entering the corresponding AT command (usually ATA)

The measurements are now displayed on the 2201:

- main screen

The measurements are now displayed on the 2201:

- Power measurements

- Modem Information

- Receiver measurements: BER

Manual Test: GPRS Mode

- On the 2201, select GSM mode, then GPRS, enter Network settings and attenuation. Note, Network parameters should be setto defaults with MCC=1, MNC=1).

- Connect the RF antenna of the modem to the 2201

- Wait until the 2201 displays GPRS Attached and press Start Test

The RX BER measurements are now displayed on the 2201:

Note: in Manual GPRS mode only RX measurements can be displayed on the screen, the TX measurements are only availablethrough remote commands.

Automated Test: GSM Mode

Test configuration:

- GSM modem including Cinterion TC65i chipset with RF antennaconnector and serial data connection to send AT Commands.

- Test SIM

- 2201 Prolock with GSM option

- PC with Lector/scriptor automated test software and Dongle.

- Test script for 2G Modem

Start Automated Test: GSM Mode

- Start Lector Software on the PC and connect to 2201 viaLAN/USB

- Connect Modem RF antenna to 2201 and serial cable to PC

- Write and/or load Modem test script in Lector

For the very latest specifications visit www.aeroflex.com

Example of modem test script: Test of GSM modem in band 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, 3 channels per band, low, mid and high,TX and RX measurements

- Run test script

- At the end of test the Test results and final Pass/Fail status is displayed

- Tests are performed against programmable test limits

- A full test report with instruments details, test date and DUT identification (IMEI) is saved as a text file.

Test Report

Automated Test : GPRS Mode

Example of modem test script: test of GPRS modem in band 900 MHz and 1800 MHz, 1 channel per band, TX and RX MER.

- Run test script

- At the end of test the Test results and final Pass/Fail status is displayed

- Tests are performed against programmable test limits

- A full test report with instruments details, test date and DUTidentification (IMEI) is saved as a text file

Example of 2G/3G Modem-data Card Testing

Test configuration:

- 2G/3G data card model Huawei E5832

- Test SIM

- 2201 Prolock with GSM and WCDMA options

- 4921 shielded box with 4916 RF coupler

- PC with Lector/scriptor software

Manual Test: WCDMA Mode

- On the 2201, select WCDMA mode, then enter Network settings(band I, channel, output level…). Note, Network parametersshould be set to defaults with MCC=1, MNC=1).

- Connect the RF shielded box/coupler to the 2201 and put themodem on the coupler

- Wait until the modem is attached to the 2201 (see below)

Make a Call “NB Call loopback” . When the call is active Loopbackis displayed in green on the screen and the measurements are nowdisplayed on the 2201:

For the very latest specifications visit www.aeroflex.com

Example of 2G/3G Modem-data Card Testing

- Check the position on the coupler and the attenuation value iscorrect by comparing (on a good modem!) UL Target Power toChannel power and Ior to CPICH+4.5 dB.

- Display other TX and RX measurements

- Max Power

- Modulation Quality

- Receiver BER

Manual Test: GSM Mode

- From the WCDMA mode it is possible to directly move to GSMby making a WCDMA to GSM handover

- After selecting the required parameters and pressing theHandover to GSM key, the GSM measurement display is available without having to make a call:

Automated Test: WCDMA and GSM Modes

- Start Lector Software on the PC and connect to 2201 viaLAN/USB

- Connect the RF shielded box/coupler to the 2201 and put themodem on the coupler

- Write and/or load Modem test script in Lector

- Save coupling values for the modem using the Scriptor wizard orfixed values in the script.

Example of 2G/3G modem test script: test of WCDMA band I 1channel and 2 channels per band in GSM900/1800, TX and RXmeasurements

- Run test script

- At the end of test the Test results and final Pass/Fail status is displayed

- Tests are performed against programmable test limits

- A full test report with instruments details, test date and DUT identification (IMEI) is saved as a text file.

Test Report

Note: Such 2G/3G modem could also be tested in GPRS mode butnot directly in GSM if no command available to answer BS calls.Other functions of the modem like Wlan access point could also betested with the Lector script and the addition of a Wifi test accessory (Aeroflex 4944 Wifi test kit).

For the very latest specifications visit www.aeroflex.com

Testing M2M Modem in Non-Signaling Mode

The testing of M2M modems in non-signaling mode is particularlyaimed at manufacturing by suppressing all overheads due to theprotocol layers and controlling directly the DUT in a test mode. Thetest system is also much more optimized for RF characterization andmore flexible, covering most wireless technologies in a single tester,including 2G/3G/4G, Bluetooth, Wlan, Zigbee, GPS…

Aeroflex Test Setup for non- signaling mode:

Consisting of

PXI 3000 modular RF instruments: the range includes a broadchoice of PXI chassis and modular PXI instruments for wide bandwidth RF signal generation and RF signal conditioning for signals up to 6 GHz, and wide bandwidth RF signal analysis for upto 13 GHz.

PXI Application software: a wide range of wireless communicationstest capabilities at the physical layer through a scalable softwarearchitecture consisting of measurement libraries/plug-ins. Eachprovides a programming user interface (.dll or .NET) for use in automated test systems, and an intuitive graphical user interface foruse in the PXI Studio application software.

Customer Application software: either customer defined or basedon Aeroflex test and manufacturing environment (PXI Maestro).

Example of GSM non signaling test program:

For more information on the Aeroflex Products mentioned in theNote, visit our web site at www.aeroflex.com

Or contact your local Aeroflex Specialist:

[email protected]

[email protected]

For the very latest specifications visit www.aeroflex.com

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As we are always seeking to improve our products,the information in this document gives only a generalindication of the product capacity, performance andsuitability, none of which shall form part of any con-tract. We reserve the right to make design changeswithout notice. All trademarks are acknowledged. Parent company Aeroflex, Inc. ©Aeroflex 2013.