With service providers preparing for the mass deployment of femtocells, manufacturers must figure out how to quickly deliver them. This is a challenge, considering that femtocells must satisfy stringent requirements on interference and pass compatibility tests at both device and network levels. They also must adhere to the 3GPP's verification and conformance document. Fortunately, the production throughput of low cost femtocells can be boosted by the proper choice and use of test equipment, as detailed in a four-page application note titled, "Solutions for Femtocell Manufacturing."
The note, which hails from Agilent Technologies, suggests that manufacturers employ low-cost test equipment, scaling their test systems to meet throughput and test requirements without compromising performance and quality. The equipment also should support multiple formats. Manufacturers can then leverage the same test equipment to produce multiple femtocell products on the same line. Although the note is largely devoted to the firm's MXG vector signal generator and EXA signal analyzer, it provides a good summary of the key test equipment features needed to help manufacturers quickly bring quality, low-cost femtocells to market. Beyond fast measurement times and switching speeds, this test equipment should provide "just enough performance" to do what is required.
Agilent Technologies, Inc., 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd., Santa Clara, CA 95051; (408) 345-8886, FAX: (408) 345-8474, www.agilent.com.