N9071A GSM/EDGE/EDGE Evolution W9071A GSM/EDGE X-Series Measurement Application

Demo Guide

Introduction

The GSM/EDGE/EDGE Evolution measurement application transforms the X-Series signal analyzers into GSM/EDGE/EDGE Evolution transmitter testers by adding fast one-button measurements and modulation analysis capabilities to help you design, evaluate and manufacture your GSM/EDGE devices. 

Demonstration Preparation

Minimum equipment configuration requirements

All demonstrations utilize an X-Series signal analyzer with the GSM/EDGE measurement application and an MXG vector signal generator with GSM/EDGE Signal Studio software. 

Note:

To measure GSM/EDGE/EDGE Evolution signals at analog baseband I/Q, connect them to the single-ended or differential I/Q inputs of the MXA signal analyzer with Option BBA. By switching input from RF to I/Q, you can make the same measurements available in the GSM/EDGE and EDGE Evolution measurement application (N9071A-2FP/3FP). 

Connect the hardware as follows:

1. Using a 50 ­ RF cable, connect the RF Output 50 ­ port on the MXG to the RF INPUT 50 ­ port on the X-Series signal analyzer.

2. Using a second 50 ­ RF cable, connect the 10 MHz OUT on the X-Series signal analyzer to the REF IN on the MXG signal generator.

3. Using a third 50 ­ RF cable, connect the EVENT 1 OUT from the MXG to the Trigger 1 IN of the X-Series signal analyzer.

Demonstration Setup

Switch to the GSM / EDGE measurement application

Since EDGE is spectrum and time-slot compatible with GSM, most of the same transmitter measurements are required—some differ only in terms of specified limits. Whenever a measurement is specific to either standard, it will be prefixed by the appropriate name. 

Keystrokes surrounded by [ ] indicate hard keys, while key names surrounded by { } indicate soft keys located on the right edge of the display. 

Demonstrations

Demonstration 1.

Power versus time

The GSM/EDGE measurement application offers one-button power versus time measurements and gives you a pass/fail result based on the GSM/EDGE standard.

You can control the following power vs. time measurement parameters:

– Power control level (PCL): PvT mask shape is determined from the PCL value

– Burst synchronization: allows you to choose to synchronize to the training sequence, the RF amplitude of the burst, or “none”. When “none” is selected, the burst synchronization is solely determined by trigger signal and user-defined trigger delay.

– Measurement time: default to 1 slot; selectable up to 8 slots for multislot analysis

– Burst search threshold

– Average mode and type

The measurement has flexible view capabilities with a:

– ”Rise and Fall” view which allows you to analyze the performance of the burst modulator

– “On Burst” which allows you to focus on the modulated part of the burst to identify errors like amplitude droop due to amplifier thermal effects and modulation problems

These views can be zoomed for an even closer analysis.

Try zoom (display expansion) in the control window keys if you want to see the detail of rising or falling edge as shown in Figure 5 on the next page.

Reference power type can be selected from following selections under [Meas Setup] {More} {Advanced} key;

- Useful part (default): reference power is calculated with long term averaging by useful part of burst defined in 3GPP (refer TS45.002 and TS45.004 subclause 4)

- Midamble (training sequence): measurement speed can be faster, but it may not be accurate when higher order modulation used for EDGE Evolution

- Estimated carrier power (ECP): this is designed to estimate long term average power with much fewer averaging. 

Demonstration 2.

Multi-slot power vs. time

EDGE multi-slot power vs. time

Conventional GSM mobiles use a single time-slot on the uplink and downlink. With the advent of GPRS and EDGE, multiple users are allowed to transmit on multiple time-slots at varying power levels.

These time-slots need not be contiguous. Consequently, it has become necessary to be able to perform flexible multi-slot power vs. time measurement to analyze a whole frame. 

Now change the signal from GSM to EDGE Evolution higher symbol rate (HSR) burst.