Aeroflex's TM500 test mobile first with DC-HSDPA support

Aeroflex has achieved another world first for its market-leading 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 provides network infrastructure equipment manufacturers with the early access to the test capabilities they need 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."

Addressing the challenges of 3G and 4G network infrastructure development test and rollout, the TM500 is used by every major infrastructure vendor and the majority of femtocell manufacturers worldwide, making it the defacto industry standard test mobile.  From HSDPA through HSUPA and HSPA+ to LTE, the Aeroflex TM500 offers all the capabilities of a mobile terminal with advanced test functionality for comprehensive 3GPP verification, validation and optimisation. The Aeroflex TM500 provides low level handset UE control and configuration flexibility, combined with the detailed measurement data required by infrastructure engineers to rapidly diagnose engineering issues.  However, testing a single basestation against a single mobile is not sufficient. Scheduling algorithms need to be optimised and the basestation needs to be load tested. The Aeroflex TM500 not only provides the ability to test a basestation and network against a single mobile both in the lab and over the air, but also supports multi-UE configurations enabling basestation and core network designs to be load tested, stressed and optimised to ensure that robust, flexible and high performance solutions are delivered to network operators.

For further information, e-mail: jim.debroeck@aeroflex.com   Refer to next page

New Hirschmann™ wireless sensors from Belden for mobile machinery

Fast and reliable information about actual load and wind speed are of immense importance to operators of cranes or other building and construction machinery who need to react to potentially hazardous situations immediately. Retrofitting existing equipment with appropriate technology, however, is often a problem - either because it is too expensive or because it may simply not be possible, such as in the case of crane hooks.

Belden provide a complete product range of Hirschmann™ wireless sensor solutions for this world market that eliminates the need for cabling. The overall system - comprising fSENS KMD-W1 force sensors with a capacity of 6 and 20 metric tons, the gSENS WGF-W1 angle sensor, the iSENS WSS-W1 wind speed sensor and the iSENS HES-W1 Anti-2-block switch - is targeted at providing a simple as well as time-saving means of retrofitting cranes and other B&C machinery with safety-enhancing sensor technology.

The system's iSCOUT PRS85 graphical multi-sensor display allows users to configure up to seven sensors with individual alarm settings and to manage all information and alarm events. In view of the global use of the system, the display supports multiple operator languages.

For crane and other B&C machinery operators, safety means having all the relevant information available without delay and in a transparent way. Therefore, the display shows the actual force, angle, wind speed and other values in percent of their maximum settings. If one of the limits should be exceeded, the equipment will be switched off or a built-in relay will trigger an external alarm.

Of further benefit to safety, the system performs cyclic "health checks" and displays the remaining battery capacities of all connected sensors.

Furthermore, the wireless sensors can be connected by means of CANopen to a controller, such as the iSCOUT mentor. The required communication interface is provided by the iFLEX TRS10 transceiver module. Alternatively, the sensor signals can be forwarded to other control systems through up to four iFLEX TRS14 analogous current or voltage interfaces or through two iFLEX TRS12 relay outputs.

All sensors can be operated using standard alkaline or lithium batteries, providing a service life of more than 12 months in typical applications.

The new wireless sensors family uses the 2.4 GHz frequency band, which is freely available around the world. DSSS/QPSK radio technology according to IEEE 802.15.4 ensures maximum availability over high distances of up to 300 meters.

For further information, e-mail: berry.medendorp@belden.com or view website: www.belden-emea.com   

Wolverine 200-series gets Class 1, Division 2 approval

Three models in the popular Wolverine Ethernet Extender series from Westermo have been enhanced with the Class 1, Division 2 approval. This allows the Wolverine series to be installed in hazardous or potentially explosive environments containing volatile, flammable vapours and gases. (Refer to the pictures on the right).

Class 1 Division 2 is a location in which volatile flammable liquids and gases are handled but where they are confined, so that ignitable concentrations of these substances are not likely to exist under normal operating conditions. It is difficult to obtain Class 1, Division 2 status, and the units has gone through extensive testing by a third party test house where the Wolverine series was found to meet the US hazardous area classification requirements.

The approval enables the units to be deployed in a wider range of applications and environments found in such industries as oil and gas, petrochemical, processing, metalworking and various other industries that operate in harsh environments.

The Wolverine have also been ATEX approved according to II 3G EEx nA IIT5 which is the European equivalent to Class 1, Div 2. This means that the DDW's are approved for applications in explosive environments in practically the whole world.

WESTERMO TELEINDUSTRI AB in profile
Westermo provides a full range of data communication and Ethernet equipment and solutions for such demanding applications as railways, aeronautics, military, water treatment, substation automation, roads and tunnels. The staff at Westermo provide the highest levels of service and technical support to help our customers to chose, configure and install the best solution for each specific application requirement. The company's knowledge goes far beyond its own product range; It has a unique competence regarding your environment whether it is on a train, in airplanes, on the seabed or in a substation. To ensure a close relationship with the customer, Westermo has a local presence in more than 30 Countries.

Westermo has three main product lines, Remote Access, Local Access and Industrial Ethernet, including more than one thousand different types and versions of modems, switches, routers, time servers or converters and the Worlds fastest recovery time redundant Ethernet.

For further information e-mail: abollard@westermo.co.uk or view website: www.westermo.co.uk  For further information from Westermo Teleindustri AB, contact Jansson Magnus, e-mail: magnus.jansson@westermo.se   Refer to page 120

Sony selects Belden^® cables to meet SKY Italia's HD needs

More than 1.2 million meters of Belden^® high performance cables were used for the new headquarters of SKY Italia during the world's largest new installation in broadcasting, where the key focus is on High Definition (HD).

Belden wire & cable products are designed specifically for the broadcast industry where they have established a strong reputation for absolute signal integrity, and no system downtime.

So when Sky Italia wanted to centralize all its activities in one single location to support and reinforce its strong growth, more than 1.2 million meters of Belden high performance cables were used for the installation.

Sky Italia selected a greenfield site in Milano Santa Giulia, Italy, for a new and prestigious building. The new headquarters were to combine the company's extensive studio complex, transmission facilities and administrative offices. In addition to ensuring that the new facilities meet today's specifications for HD programming, the entire installation needed to be future proofed, as the industry's output improves and/or customer requirements and expectations rise. Another key technical challenge was that throughout all relocation and installation processes, Sky programming would need to continue as normal, without any interruptions to services.

Sky Italia selected Sony to manage the installation throughout the entire complex. As one of the world's leading installation companies, Sony has an impressive track record both in terms of quality and scheduling. Sony's proven ability to run a project of this size was key to the decision.

Having been asked to ensure that all new cable systems could meet Sky Italia's more extensive demands for the future, Sony was looking to work directly with a wire & cable manufacturer for an optimized relationship on technical, operational and commercial levels, to offer them access to an extended portfolio and provide them with the most cost effective and the highest quality solutions.

After assessing the various options available for Sky Italia, Sony chose to work with Belden to accommodate all cabling needs. Belden's HD designed coaxial cables can support high frequencies, are physically robust and require simple connectivity. Considering Sky Italia's HD needs and the large scope of this project, Sony decided to deploy, among other Belden cabling products, the following coaxial cables for excellent picture quality: 1855ENH VideoFlex® Snake Cable with recommended HD distance of 100 m featuring solid copper center conductor for low attenuation and easier termination; 1694ANH Brilliance® Banana Peel Precision Video Snake Cables with recommended HD distance of 140m providing excellent digital video performance using multiple coaxes in a single pull; and 7731ANH coaxial cables with recommended HD distance of 230 m for extended transmission distances. As the first cable manufacturer to increase its sweep testing from 3 GHz to 4.5 GHz for all coaxes, Belden performed 100% sweep testing to 4.5 GHz on every reel of HD cable and provided certification to assure unequalled levels of cable signal integrity and reliability, with lower Return Loss at higher frequencies.

For further information, e-mail: berry.medendorp@belden.com or view website: www.belden-emea.com   Refer to next page