New cell sites are being erected everywhere, it seems, as wireless carriers scramble to provide the most competitive wireless coverage and services possible. And each time a new cellular tower goes up, it has to be tested. Even after it is operation, performance can change with time, and it still must be tested periodically. Fortunately, test-equipment supplier now offer complete radio testers in a handheld box, such as the one developed by Anritsu and reported on in the January issue of Microwaves & RF.
This handy tester is capable of measuring passive intermodulation distortion (PIM) and antennas and other components in a cell site to evaluate sources of performance degradation at the site. The company's model MW8219A PIM Master operates in the 1900- and 2100-MHz Personal Communications Services (PCS) and Advanced Wireless Services (AWS) bands, and works with one of the company's analyzer products to read and isolate higher-order intermodulation products. For more details, click here.