Drive-test system

Andrew is going indoors with its Invex.NxG wireless drive-test system, offering equipment that makes designing and testing indoor wireless coverage systems easier.

The i.Send portable transmitter imitates wireless base station signals by broadcasting RF signals that allow for coverage measurements indoors. Network designers can use the transmitter to verify optimal antenna positioning for indoor distributed antenna systems and as a low power source for testing the design and functionality of RF repeaters and base stations.

The portable unit offers over 20 dBm of transmit power for up to four hours between battery charges and supports GSM, CDMA, UMTS and W-CDMA frequency bands with user-settable channel and message parameters.

Users can configure the device via a Wi-Fi connection, selecting the desired frequency and modulation schemes, with the ability to set the parameters within the scheme.

For ease of operation, the unit is placed in transmit or standby mode via the Wi-Fi connection.

The system enables wireless operators to view their own and their competitors’ wireless voice and data services from the perspective of the subscriber by providing quality-of-service measurements.

The unit identifies failed originations, abnormal ends, call set-up time and call quality for improving voice service levels.

It also performs packet data testing for analysing upload/download through speeds for data services and can be used by field personnel for independently checking network signal strength and identifying base station locations and sectors, assisting them in their jobs.