As LTE technology evolves, network vendors need the most efficient methods to develop and test LTE products to meet their time to market objectives. So, EB, Elektrobit Corp. has rolled out two LTE testing features in EB Propsim F8 – an increased number of fading channels for MIMO testing and enhanced modeling capability for beamforming testing – thus meeting the requirements necessary for LTE technology development.

The first new feature offers 1-to-4 MIMO extension: higher MIMO testing capacity and improved usability. It enables affordable testing of bi-directional 4x4 MIMO with a single emulator unit. It is a flexible way to extend testing capacity as a single EB Propsim F8 with a limited number of channels can later be upgraded to the full configuration, 32 channels. With the feature, LTE testing capacity is raised by 100 percent thus enabling more cost efficient MIMO testing with a single product.

With the beamforming application, EB offers a unique tool that makes possible the creation of dynamic user scenarios for testing LTE networks and means the company now makes available a full set of channel models for TD-LTE. The application enables optimization of network performance, reliability and coverage giving the vendors the ability to create a competitive product portfolio for the LTE market. In addition to the beamforming tool, EB now offers a full set of ready-made TD-LTE channel models according to the China Academy of Telecommunication Research (CATR).

With these new features added to the EB Propsim F8, EB is providing a cost effective solution that will allow LTE developers to go beyond basic product performance verification.

“EB is the forerunner in the development of radio channel emulation solutions for LTE performance testing,” said Janne Kolu, Vice President, Test Tools at EB. “Our hope is that the continued innovation surrounding LTE products will expand the productivity of networks and operators to provide better universal wireless service. By focusing on measuring, modeling and emulating the radio channel, EB allows manufacturers to provide stronger products for their audiences. Through F8 testing, we are able to provide improved testing capabilities and a sophisticated graphical user interface.”