TOKYO,
Japan -- Advantest Corporation announced
availability of its new R2172 RF module measurement system. The R2172
makes it easy and fast to test RF (Radio Frequency) transmitter / receiver
front-end modules used in applications such as high-speed wireless LAN and
3G mobile communications, which are becoming increasingly complex and
highly integrated. The R2172 is being exhibited at SEMICON Japan 2004,
held December 1-3, 2004, at Makuhari Messe.
At present, a number
of 2G standards coexist with 3G standards such as W-CDMA in the mobile
communications field. However, it is widely predicted that GSM, which
commands an overwhelming share globally, CDMA (cdma 2000), and W-CDMA will
eventually be the only survivors. So that consumers can use their cellular
telephone handsets throughout the world, despite the array of currently
existing local standards, handset specifications are now starting to call
for the expansion of the GSM - W-CDMA dual mode concept to incorporate
multiple modes and, to handle the transatlantic difference in GSM band
frequency, multiple bands. Handset manufacturers are accelerating the
development of models featuring these specifications.
To pack multiple
modes and multiple bands into the limited space available on ever more
compact handsets, it is necessary to save space by consolidating numbers
of RF transmitter / receiver components into modules. However, to perform
high-speed tests of each of the functions combined in a single module, it
has been necessary to set up separate measurement instruments for each
function and control them all from a PC, or else construct a PXI-based
test system for each type of module. This method placed a great burden on
manufacturers in the form of cumbersome setups and unsatisfactory
measurement efficiency levels. A new type of measurement system is
required to resolve these issues.
Advantest's new
R2172 provides a test environment optimized to each function in the RF
transmitter / receiver modules that support multiple modes and multiple
bands. Now, low-cost measurements are possible.
- Antenna Switch
Module Measurement System For the measurement of RF transmitter
modules such as antenna switch modules, a supplementary RF expansion
switch box allows a maximum antenna input of +35dBm. RF port expansion
of up to 13 ports is also possible. Ensuring rock-bottom test costs on
futuristic front-end module measurements, too, the R2172 is truly an
optimal system.
- Transceiver IC
measurement system For the measurement of RF receiver modules such as
transceiver ICs, the T2172 features a high-speed (100MHz) digitizer
and a high-speed, high-accuracy (200MHz / 14 bit) AWG (Arbitrary
Waveform Generator), so it can generate signals supporting various
communications standards and analyze them to high levels of precision.
It also boasts high expansibility: up to 10 RF ports.
Even while
meeting the tough criteria for RF module tests, both systems offer
outstanding performance. The T2172 has sufficient tolerance to measure RF
modules supporting the W-CDMA standard with superlative precision: it
measures ACLR (Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio) by utilizing a wide dynamic
range of -60dBc (1 carrier signal 5MHz offset), thus ensuring highly
reliable measurements.
The R2172
is fitted with a ground-breaking tester mode function developed
exclusively by Advantest that provides high throughput on production
lines. Not only measurement times are reduced; installation times and the
time required to display the progress of measurements will also be reduced
significantly, while measurement times themselves show astounding
declines, making high-speed measurement a reality.
About
Advantest
Advantest Corporation is a leading automatic test equipment
supplier to the semiconductor industry, and also produces electronic and
optoelectronic instruments and systems.
Advantest has long offered total ATE solutions, and serves the
industry in every component of semiconductor test: tester, handler,
mechanical and electrical interfaces, and software.
Its logic, memory, mixed-signal and RF testers and device handlers
are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in
the world. Founded in Tokyo
in 1954, Advantest established its first subsidiary in 1982, in the USA,
and now has 43 subsidiaries worldwide.
Among them, Advantest America, Inc. is based in Santa Clara, CA.,
and Advantest (Europe) GmBH is based in Munich, Germany.
More information is available at http://www.advantest.co.jp/
