Aeroflex has claimed a world first for its TM500 test mobile with the launch of support for the new 3GPP W-CDMA Release 8 Dual Cell HSDPA (DC-HSDPA) feature. Building on the Aeroflex TM500's existing Release 7 HSPA+ solution, the launch of DC-HSDPA support is said to provide network infrastructure equipment manufacturers with early access to the test capabilities required to speed its development and deployment.
DC-HSDPA extends the resource utilisation and spectrum efficiency of existing W-CDMA networks by providing an alternative method to HSPA+ to increase peak data rates in the downlink to a maximum 42Mbps. This is achieved by enabling handsets to take advantage of two adjacent 5MHz channels on the same Node B at the same time to create 10MHz downlink bandwidth. Unlike HSPA+, DC-HSDPA delivers a peak data rate of 42Mbps without the need for MIMO spatial multiplexing and the associated, potentially costly, basestation (Node B) hardware and antenna upgrades this can entail. As a result, DC-HSDPA facilitates improved network efficiency and load balancing through better resource allocation and frequency selectivity as well as delivering improved Quality of Service (QoS) for users in poor environments where MIMO is not necessarily an option.
"The Aeroflex TM500 is the first test mobile to support the new DC-HSDPA feature, reinforcing its market-leading position," said Tim Beard, HSPA+ Product Manager at Aeroflex Test Solutions. "With operators continually looking for ways to improve the performance and extend the life of their existing networks at minimal cost, we expect significant take up of DC-HSDPA. Support for DC-HSDPA on the TM500 provides them with the early access to the test features they need."