The Platform Adaptor (PA) provides External Functions that can be called by TTCN-3 test cases. External Functions are defined by ETSI and are required when a test case needs to perform operations that can not be performed using the inherently non-real-time facilities provided by the TTCN-3 environment or the System Adaptor (SA) message ports. This includes initiating lower-layer protocol sequences within the Mobile WiMAX Test Set. Whilst the System Adaptor performs test control functions and can form part of any TTCN-3 based system, the Platform Adaptor is specific to WiMAX testing.
As ETSI implements new test cases, from time to time, it is necessary for them to change the definition of, or define new, External Functions. When External Functions requirements have been changed, ETSI releases an updated set of External Function Definitions in their T3 Docs file. T3 Docs files are bundled with TTCN-3 test case releases from ETSI.
The Platform Adaptor components of the N6432A, N6433A, N6442A and N6443A are updated with each Agilent software release. PA updates implement the External Functions required by the ETSI test cases that are integrated by the Agilent software release. Not all External Functions that have been defined by ETSI will necessarily be implemented in any given release of Agilent PA. As External Function definitions are updated by ETSI, there may be a time delay before changes are reflected in Agilent PA releases.
TTCN-3 programmers can review the Implemented External Functions in the “External Function Notes” spreadsheet included with each release of N6432A and N6442A. The release documentation also includes a copy of ETSI T3 Docs that can be Hyper-linked to the External Functions Notes spreadsheet.