Aeroflex has added a new option to its 6113 basestation tester for the test of GSM basestations with an A5/3 encryption capability. The Aeroflex 6113's support for the latest A5/3 GSM encryption algorithm provides a field portable and easy-to-use basestation test solution that can be used for installation and commissioning, routine maintenance and fault finding as well as final unit production testing. Support for the A5/3 encryption algorithm complements the Aeroflex 6113's support for the existing A5/1 and A5/2 algorithms.
The A5/3 encryption algorithm specifically supplies signalling protection so that voice calls, user-generated data and other sensitive information, such as telephone numbers, is protected over the radio path. The algorithm was designed by the Security Algorithms Group of Experts (SAGE) within ETSI and based on the requirements of the 3GPP's Working Group SA3 and developed with the support of the GSM Association, 3GPP and the United States' T1 Standards Committee.
"With over 2,000 units already deployed worldwide, the Aeroflex 6113 basestation tester is generally regarded by GSM operators as the industry-standard basestation test tool," said Ross Broadhurst, Product Marketing Manager, Aeroflex Test Solutions Wireless Division. "The addition of A5/3 algorithm support further extends the wide range of test and measurement functions available on the Aeroflex 6113 basestation tester that facilitate the fast manual or automatic testing of all major basestation types."