IFR Adds Remote Operation, Trunked Radio Testing and New Test Patterns to 2975 Radio Test Set
"IFR continues to enhance the 2975 with new features to make life easier for those who use and test Project 25 radios, while expanding applications for the P25 market. As a modular test platform, the 2975 will gain additional new functions in the upcoming months," said Rob Barden, senior product marketing manager, IFR.
Remote Testing Capability allows users to monitor hard-to-reach locations
With the free firmware upgrade (version 1.5.0), the 2975 radio test set can be operated remotely through the Internet. Using the instrument's exclusive Ethernet connection, the 2975 can be assigned a specific Internet Protocol (IP) address, creating a "virtual" instrument that can be redirected to a remote user for monitoring and testing purposes. This greatly enhances the ability to track down intermittent or gradual degradation of sites that are remote and hard to access for on-site testing. Now the operator can remotely monitor repeater/transmitter locations from the virtual instrument. From thousands of miles away, the user can have the 2975 monitor remote, hard-to-reach locations from a central command center and test for system performance over time. System degradation and intermittent problems occurring randomly or over extended periods of time can be monitored and found without spending costly personnel time and effort trying to conduct tests in remote transmitter locations.
New Test Patterns and "Quick Tune" Spectrum Analyzer Allow Greater Ability to Verify Performance
The free firmware upgrade also includes a whole new set of standard test patterns. IFR has implemented 14 patterns to verify performance in accordance with TIA-EIA-102 CAAA Digital C4FM/CQPSK Transceiver Measurement Methods. These patterns allow engineers to quickly access technically correct patterns to assist in the design and test of P25 transceivers.
The 2975 also includes a new feature designed for fast location of harmonics using the instrument's built-in spectrum analyzer. With the 2975's exclusive PS2-compatible mouse, the operator can double click on a signal and the 2975 will automatically tune the center frequency to the selected signal.
Exclusive Trunking Option Added to Support P25 Trunking Operation in the 800 MHz bandwidth
Also announced today is an additional new firmware release for the 2975, Option 4, that supports P25 trunking operation in the 800 MHz band. Option 4 enables the 2975 with a repeater simulator to test P25 trunked radios. This feature is not available on any other P25 test set today. Option 4 will emulate a repeater, with "Push to Talk" features that allow the operator to talk directly to the radio under test without going through a predetermined test sequence. The 2975 quickly tests the transmitter performance of the radio in less than 20 seconds with quick visual indicators of power, frequency error and C4FM Error Vector Magnitude. The trunking option also includes the ability to test protocol functionality for interoperability testing. The user can set and decode control channel parameters and radio communication messages for P25 trunked radio communications.
About the 2975 Radio Test Set
The 2975 is a digital radio test platform that tests radio equipment to ensure compliance under the Project 25 standards, including:
- Parametric testing for compatible four-level frequency modulation (C4FM)
- Interoperability testing for Common Air Interface
- Improved multi-band excitation (IMBE) vocoder for voice testing
- Project 25 complaint Type III encryption testing
Providing independent "generate and receive" functions from 1 MHz to 2.7 GHz, the 2975 allows duplex operation over a full instrument range. This enables a wide variety of system configurations to be tested including cross-band repeaters. Additionally it has two audio-function generators to support conventional FM terminal testing.
Created with a modular design, the 2975 is simple to support and upgrade. Its internal hard drive and 3.5-inch floppy drive simplify program installation and maximize flexibility in storage and recall of setup information and test data. Software upgrades can be downloaded, allowing features to be added as new radio-specific tests are developed, reducing ownership and life-cycle costs.
Price and Availability
The 2975 radio test set has a base price of U.S. $19,995 with full P25 conventional and analog operation. The base price includes version 1.5.0 firmware for remote monitoring, new patterns and the exclusive "Quick Tune" spectrum analyzer feature. For existing 2975 owners, these new features are free firmware upgrades that can be completed in the field for 2975 radio test sets that have been through the version 1.3.0 upgrade procedure.
Option 4, the P25 trunking firmware, is priced at U.S. $1,900.
Delivery for the 2975 is six weeks upon receipt of order. Firmware upgrade 1.5.0 is available immediately and can be downloaded from IFR's website at www.ifrsys.com. Option 4 is also available immediately and can be purchased by contacting your IFR Sales Representative at (800) 835-2352 or info@ifrsys.com. The Option 4 software file is distributed by e-mail, floppy disk or CD-ROM upon receipt of order.
About Aeroflex
Aeroflex Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, designs, develops and manufactures state-of-the-art microelectronic module, integrated circuit, interconnect and testing solutions used in broadband communication applications. The Company's common stock trades on the Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol ARXX and is included in the S&P SmallCap 600 index. Additional information concerning Aeroflex Incorporated can be found on the Company's Web site: www.aeroflex.com
About IFR, an Aeroflex Company
IFR, an Aeroflex company, is a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced wireless test solutions for communications, avionics and general test and measurement applications.
Source: IFR