As the wireless industry prepares for the launch of LTE networks, Spirent Communications plc has announced the Spirent LTE Network Emulator, which is a collaboration with AT4 wireless. The new emulator shares a common platform with AT4 wireless’ E2010 Broadband Wireless Test Set and integrates Spirent’s real-time state machine with enhanced packet core (EPC) network emulation.

In combination with the company’s existing CDMA and UMTS network emulators, the Spirent LTE Network Emulator delivers multi-technology, multi-cell capability that enables all aspects of LTE multimode (LTE with CDMA/EV-DO and/or UMTS) device performance to be fully tested in the lab prior to commercial launch.

“User satisfaction with LTE device performance will play an important role in determining the success of early LTE deployments,” said Charles Simmons, President of Spirent’s Wireless division. “Network operators and device vendors can now bring to market high performance, best-in-class LTE-capable devices by testing with a rich portfolio of LTE solutions that leverage Spirent’s strengths in device performance testing and AT4 wireless’ strengths in conformance testing for device certification.”

The collaboration also strengthens the Conformance Test portfolio of AT4 wireless, which will integrate Spirent’s AirAccess CDMA Network Emulator into its LTE Protocol & Radio Resource Management (RRM) Conformance Test solutions.

Joaquín Torrecilla, Chief Technology Officer at AT4 wireless, commented, “This agreement with Spirent helps to reinforce AT4 wireless’ LTE technology strength. Spirent’s broad product range and customer relationships will enable us to apply our technology to a broader range of markets beyond just device conformance test.”