Anritsu MD8430A Signalling Tester LTE-Advanced Pro Base Station Simulator

LTE-Advanced Pro base station simulator for chipset and UE development, supporting up to 6CC carrier aggregation, 8×4 MIMO and Cat-M/NB-IoT tests.

Interface: RF, Digital IQ, Baseband Fading
Frequency Band: Max. 20 MHz
UE Category: Category 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12
DL Category: M1, 0, 1bis, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20

Datasheet

Overview

The Anritsu Signalling Tester MD8430A is a base station simulator for developing LTE, LTE-Advanced and LTE-Advanced Pro chipsets and wireless devices. It verifies normal communication procedures and also supports fault operation tests, which are difficult to perform when connected to live base stations. LTE Cat-M and NB-IoT tests are also supported.

The MD8430A is used for terminal R&D and verification under a range of conditions, from L1/L2 coding and decoding tests through L3 protocol sequence tests to integration, performance, operator acceptance and protocol conformance testing. Digital baseband I/Q interfaces are standard, so baseband chips can be evaluated independently of the RF section, including slow-clock tests and, with a second MD8430A, digital fading.

Test models

The MD8430A is offered as the Basic Test Model (BTM), M2M Test Model (MTM) and LTE Enhanced Test Model (ETM). Retrofit upgrade kits between models let users match the hardware to current needs and upgrade later.

Inter-RAT and software

Inter-RAT tests can reuse existing MD8480C (UTRAN/GERAN) and MD8475A/MD8475B (CDMA2000) hardware. Test cases are created with the LTE Control Software MX843010E (L1/L2 scenarios in C) or the Rapid Test Designer (RTD) MX786201A/MX800050A, a GUI-based tool for L1 to L3 testing, automation, analysis and reporting. Used with the MT8000A, the MD8430A also supports 5G NSA protocol testing.

Key Features

Supports LTE-Advanced Pro testing with 6CCs Carrier Aggregation (CA) and less
Supports Dual Connectivity test
Supports Licensed-Assisted Access (LAA) test
Supports LTE-Advanced FDD/TDD Release 12
Supports up to DL 6CCs and UL 3CCs for Carrier Aggregation
One MD8430A supports CA handover, 4×4 MIMO and 8×4 MIMO
Supports full-digital fading test
Supports DL 2 Gbps, UL 300 Mbps throughput test
TDD-FDD joint operation including CA
DL 256QAM
Inter-RAT tests using existing MD8480C (UTRAN/GERAN) and MD8475A (CDMA2000) hardware
Supports UMTS Release 10, HSPA Evolution, GSM/GPRS/EGPRS
5G NSA protocol testing in combination with MT8000A
Supports LTE Cat-M/NB-IoT
Supports NB-IoT NTN (GEO)
8 main and sub RF connectors and 8 digital IQ connectors as standard
Stores up to ten firmware versions, selectable at startup
Full development and analysis toolset for L1, L2 and L3 scenario development

Specifications

LTE Enhanced Test Model (ETM)

Interface MD8430A-035	RF, Digital IQ, Baseband Fading Baseband fading requires MD8430A-067 and two MD8430A sets (ETM 2 sets or ETM & BTM)
Frequency Band MD8430A-035	Max. 20 MHz
UE Category MD8430A-035	Category 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12 Categories 9, 10, 11, 12 require two MD8430A sets (ETM 2 sets or ETM & BTM)
DL Category MD8430A-035	M1, 0, 1bis, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20 Categories 9 to 20 require two MD8430A sets (ETM 2 sets or ETM & BTM)
UL Category MD8430A-035	M1, 0, 1bis, 3, 5, 7, 13, 15, 20
NB Category MD8430A-035	NB1
Max. Data Rate (DL) MD8430A-035	1 Gbps (PHY: 2 Gbps)
Max. Data Rate (UL) MD8430A-035	300 Mbps
MIMO MD8430A-035	2×2 MIMO, 4×2 MIMO, 4×4 MIMO, 8×2 MIMO, 8×4 MIMO 4×4 MIMO requires MD8430A-075; 8×4 MIMO requires MD8430A-076
Max. No. of Base Station MD8430A-035	Active + adjacent BTS: 8 (Max. Active BTS: 6) Requires two MD8430A sets (ETM & ETM)
Handover (including at MIMO) MD8430A-035	Available Inter-frequency handover of CA requires two MD8430A sets (ETM 2 sets or ETM & BTM)
Carrier Aggregation: No. of Component Carriers (DL) MD8430A-035	6 Requires MD8430A-085; DL 4CA requires MD8430A-088, DL 5CA MD8430A-089, DL 6CA MD8430A-044; 3CA/4CA MIMO need two sets; 5CA/6CA MIMO need two ETM sets
Carrier Aggregation: No. of Component Carriers (UL) MD8430A-035	3 Requires MD8430A-085; UL 3CA requires MD8430A-045

Reference Oscillator

Reference Frequency	10 MHz
Activation Characteristics	±5 × 10-7 (2 minutes after turning on the power), ±5 × 10-8 (5 minutes after turning on the power) At 25°C, based on the frequency 24 hours after turning on the power
Aging Rate	±1 × 10-8/day, ±1 × 10-7/year Per day based on frequency 48 hours after power on; per year based on frequency 10 days after power on
Temperature Characteristics	±2 × 10-8 (0°C to 45°C) Based on the frequency at 25°C
External Reference Input	Frequency: 10 MHz; Operating range: ±1 ppm; Input level: -15 dBm ≤ level ≤ +20 dBm (50Ω, AC coupling); Connector: BNC-J, 50Ω (nominal)
Internal Reference Output	Frequency adjusted at shipment: 10 MHz ±0.02 ppm; Output level: ≥0 dBm (50Ω, AC coupling); Connector: BNC-J, 50Ω (nominal)

Transmission Signal

Maximum Level	Main connector: -40 dBm (Maximum setting level at Main connector: -20 dBm); Sub connector: 0 dBm
Level Accuracy	±1.5 dB (≥350 MHz to ≤3800 MHz); ±2.0 dB (>3800 MHz to ≤6000 MHz) Main connector: -113 dBm ≤ Level ≤ -40 dBm; Sub connector: -113 dBm ≤ Level ≤ 0 dBm; after calibration, 18° to 28°C, for calibration CW
Frequency	LTE: 350 MHz to 3.0 GHz, 350 MHz to 3.8 GHz (with MD8430A-002), 350 MHz to 6.0 GHz (with MD8430A-006); W-CDMA: 400 MHz to 3.0 GHz, 400 MHz to 3.8 GHz (with MD8430A-002, MD8430A-006); GSM: 400 MHz to 2.0 GHz Setting resolution: 100 kHz
Access Method	LTE: OFDMA, W-CDMA: CDMA, GSM: TDMA
Modulation Method	LTE: QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM; W-CDMA: QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM; GSM: GMSK, 8 PSK
Modulation Accuracy	LTE: ≤2% (OFDM, 64QAM, 20 MHz band); W-CDMA: ≤3.5% (transmitting CPICH, ICH); GSM: ≤1.5 deg. (GMSK), ≤3.5% (8PSK) At 18° to 28°C, Sub output: 0 dBm

Received Signal

Input Level (setting demodulation range)	QPSK: -28 to +15 dB; 16QAM: -21 to +15 dB; 64QAM: -15 to +15 dB Based on the reference power setting; input signal: EVM ≤1%, BER ≤1×10-12, 20 MHz band, SC-FDMA
Main connector input	Reference power setting range: -20 to +20 dBm, within the input level range from -30 to +35 dBm
Sub connector input	Reference power setting range: -35 to +5 dBm, within the input level range from -45 to +20 dBm
Level Accuracy	Main connector: ±3.0 dB; Sub connector: ±3.0 dB At 18° to 28°C, for calibration CW, within Main input range -30 to +35 dBm, Sub input range -45 to +20 dBm, and reference power range of ±15 dB
Frequency	LTE: 350 MHz to 3.0 GHz, 350 MHz to 3.8 GHz (with MD8430A-002), 350 MHz to 6.0 GHz (with MD8430A-006); W-CDMA: 400 MHz to 3.0 GHz, 400 MHz to 3.8 GHz (with MD8430A-002, MD8430A-006); GSM: 400 MHz to 2.0 GHz Setting resolution: 100 kHz
Access Method	LTE: SC-FDMA, W-CDMA: CDMA, GSM: TDMA
Modulation Method	LTE: QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM; W-CDMA: BPSK, 4 PAM; GSM: GMSK, 8 PSK
Synchronization Acquirable Range	LTE: ±100 μs (PRACH), ±30 μs (PUSCH); W-CDMA: ±100 chips (PRACH), ±100 chips (DPCCH); GSM: 0 to 63 symbols (SACCH)

RF Connectors

Main	Connector: N-J, 50Ω (nom.); VSWR: ≤1.3 (≥350 MHz to ≤3800 MHz), ≤1.4 (>3800 MHz to ≤6000 MHz)
Sub (Downlink)	Connector: N-J, 50Ω (nom.); VSWR: ≤1.5 (≥350 MHz to ≤3800 MHz), ≤1.6 (>3800 MHz to ≤6000 MHz)
Sub (Uplink)	Connector: N-J, 50Ω (nom.); VSWR: ≤1.5 (≥350 MHz to ≤3800 MHz), ≤1.6 (>3800 MHz to ≤6000 MHz)

Front Panel Interface

Digital IQ I/F	DX20 connector (50 pin) × 8, Digital IQ signal, IQ: 16 bit
Monitor I/F	DX20 connector (80 pin), 3.3 V-CMOS level Connection with the Monitor board (G0091)
Sync Out / Sync In	BNC connector, 3.3 V-CMOS level Internal Sync Start signal output / External Sync Start signal input
Clock Out	BNC connector, 3.3 V-CMOS level Internal Clock signal output
Clock In	BNC connector, 3.3 V-CMOS level, 10 kHz to 30.72 MHz External Clock signal input

MF6900A Interface

Sync Out	Without MD8430A-008/108/208: BNC connector × 3, 3.3 V-CMOS level; With MD8430A-008/108/208: BNC connector × 2, 3.3 V-CMOS level Connection with the MF6900A (Sync Start signal)
Port	Without MD8430A-008/108/208: HIB-B16LFYGA connector × 6, LVDS level; With MD8430A-008/108/208: HIB-B16LFYGA connector × 2 (Digital IQ: 2ports/connector), LVDS level Connection with the MF6900A (Digital IQ signal)

General

CE	EMC 2014/30/EU, EN61326-1, EN61000-3-2; LVD 2014/35/EU, EN61010-1; RoHS 2011/65/EU, (EU) 2015/863, EN IEC 63000: 2018
UKCA	EMC S.I. 2016 No.1091, EN 61326-1, EN61000-3-2; LVD S.I. 2016 No.1101, EN 61010-1; RoHS S.I. 2012 No.3032, EN IEC 63000: 2018
Operating Temperature	0°C to +45°C, ≤90% RH (no condensation); 0°C to +40°C, ≤90% RH (no condensation) (with Enhanced Hardware)
Storage Temperature	-20°C to +60°C, ≤85% RH (no condensation)
Power Supply Voltage	100 VAC to 120 VAC/200 VAC to 240 VAC (Automatic switching system)
Power Supply Frequency	50 Hz/60 Hz (Automatically changeover system)
Power Consumption	≤1200 VA
Dimensions	426 (W) × 310 (H) × 500 (D) mm
Mass	≤40 kg

Controller PC Requirements

Software	Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Express Edition or Microsoft Visual Studio Express 2015 PC must be supplied by the customer
OS	Windows 10 Pro (64 bit) or later
CPU	Intel Core i7-6700 3.4 GHz or more
RAM	8 GB or more
NIC	1000 BASE-T

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.

Applications

Coding/decoding tests (RF/baseband)
Protocol sequence tests
Throughput and stress tests
Intra-RAT/Inter-RAT performance tests
LTE pre-conformance/conformance tests
Network interoperability tests
LTE network operator acceptance tests (CAT)
Troubleshooting field test problems
UE QC inspection
W-CDMA/HSPA protocol sequence tests
VoLTE testing
Cellular IoT (Cat-M/NB-IoT) testing

Included

CD-ROM (Operation Manual and Maintenance Software): 1 pc
J1440A LAN Cable: 2 pcs
J1211 Power Cord, 3.0 m (15 A): 1 pc
J0127A Coaxial Cord, 1.0 m (BNC-P · RG58A/U · BNC-P): 1 pc
J0576B Coaxial Cord, 1.0 m (N-P · 5D-2W · N-P): 2 pcs
J1398A N-SMA Adaptor: 6 units
J1459A Digital IQ Cable (50 cm): 1 pc

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
MD8430A-025	Basic Test Model (BTM)
MD8430A-027	M2M Test Model (MTM)
MD8430A-035	LTE Enhanced Test Model (ETM)
MD8430A-002	Extended Frequency Range to 3.8 GHz — Software option extending maximum frequency (Tx/Rx) to 3.8 GHz
MD8430A-004	Enhanced DL Frequency Bandwidth Option — Software option extending downlink frequency bandwidth (Tx) to 60 MHz
MD8430A-005	Extended Frequency Range to 3.8 GHz Hardware 2 — Hardware option extending maximum frequency (Tx/Rx) to 3.8 GHz (Test Model: BTM, ETM)
MD8430A-006	Extended Frequency Range to 6 GHz — Software option extending maximum frequency (Tx/Rx) to 6 GHz
MD8430A-007	Extended Frequency Range to 6 GHz Hardware — Hardware option extending maximum frequency (Tx/Rx) to 6 GHz
MD8430A-044	LTE DL 6 Carrier Aggregation Option — CA supporting up to six component carriers on downlink
MD8430A-045	LTE UL 3 Carrier Aggregation Option — CA supporting reception of up to three component carriers on uplink
MD8430A-047	NB-IoT NTN — Software option for NB-IoT NTN (GEO/GSO/NGSO) function
MD8430A-052	W-CDMA Fading Option
MD8430A-053	SCME Fading Option
MD8430A-055	LTE 2×2 MIMO Fading Option
MD8430A-056	LTE 4×2 MIMO Fading Option
MD8430A-057	LTE 4×4 MIMO Fading Option
MD8430A-058	LTE 8×2 MIMO Fading Option
MD8430A-059	LTE 8×4 MIMO Fading Option
MD8430A-060	LTE FDD Option — Required to simulate 3GPP LTE FDD
MD8430A-061	LTE TDD Option — Required to simulate TD-LTE
MD8430A-062	LTE Enhanced MTC Option — Required to simulate LTE eMTC
MD8430A-063	Narrow Band IoT Option — Required to simulate NB-IoT
MD8430A-064	LTE Anchor For 5G NSA Option — Protocol tests and IP evaluations using 5G NSA in coordination with the MT8000A
MD8430A-065	W-CDMA Option
MD8430A-066	GSM Option
MD8430A-067	RF/Fading Driver Option — Extends RF for MD8430A-025 BTM and enables the fading function
MD8430A-070	HSPA Multi Carrier Option
MD8430A-071	W-CDMA/GSM Ciphering Option — KASUMI and SNOW 3G for W-CDMA; A5/1-A5/4 for GSM; GEA1-GEA4 for GPRS
MD8430A-072	LTE Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) Option
MD8430A-073	LTE Dual Connectivity Option
MD8430A-075	LTE DL 4×4 MIMO Option
MD8430A-076	LTE DL 8×4 MIMO Option
MD8430A-077	LTE Internal Server Option — IP data communications using the built-in server; IP data throughput tests up to 1.6 Gbps
MD8430A-078	LTE UL 2×2 MIMO Option
MD8430A-079	LTE UL 256QAM Option
MD8430A-080	LTE Ciphering Option — EEA0, EEA1 and EEA2 (TS 33.401, TS 36.323)
MD8430A-081	LTE ROHC Option — Required for VoLTE testing
MD8430A-082	LTE MBMS Option
MD8430A-083	LTE ZUC Ciphering Option — EEA3 and EIA3 (TS 33.401, TS 35.221)
MD8430A-085	LTE Carrier Aggregation Option — CA supporting up to two component carriers on downlink
MD8430A-086	Ciphering Option — EEA0, EEA1, EEA2, EEA3 and EIA3
MD8430A-087	LTE CoMP Option — 3GPP Release 11 CoMP; Dynamic Point Selection
MD8430A-088	LTE DL 4 Carrier Aggregation Option
MD8430A-089	LTE DL 5 Carrier Aggregation Option
MD8430A-103	Extended Frequency Range to 3.8 GHz Hardware Retrofit (for Asia, Oceania)
MD8430A-107	Extended Frequency Range 3 GHz to 6 GHz Hardware Retrofit (for Asia, Oceania)
MD8430A-117	Extended Frequency Range 3.8 GHz to 6 GHz Hardware Retrofit (for Asia, Oceania)
MD8430A-203	Extended Frequency Range to 3.8 GHz Hardware Retrofit (FO)
MD8430A-207	Extended Frequency Range 3 GHz to 6 GHz Hardware Retrofit (FO)
MD8430A-217	Extended Frequency Range 3.8 GHz to 6 GHz Hardware Retrofit (FO)
MX843010E	LTE Control Software — Simulates L1 and L2 with test cases in C
MX843070E	W-CDMA/GSM Control Software
MX786201A	Rapid Test Designer (RTD) — GUI-based L1 to L3 test creation, automation, analysis and reporting
MX800050A	Rapid Test Designer Platform (RTD)
Z1670A	LTE FTM to ETM Upgrade Kit
Z1789A	LTE FTM to ETM Upgrade Kit (FO)
Z1671A	LTE STM to ETM Upgrade Kit
Z1790A	LTE STM to ETM Upgrade Kit (FO)
Z1672A	LTE PTM to ETM Upgrade Kit
Z1791A	LTE PTM to ETM Upgrade Kit (FO)
Z1873A	LTE BTM to ETM Upgrade Kit
Z1976A	LTE BTM to MTM Upgrade Kit
Z1977A	LTE MTM to ETM Upgrade Kit
MD8430A-SS125	1 Year Support Service for LTE FDD (BTM)
MD8430A-SS135	1 Year Support Service for LTE FDD (ETM)
MD8430A-SS126	1 Year Support Service for LTE TDD (BTM)
MD8430A-SS136	1 Year Support Service for LTE TDD (ETM)
MD8430A-SS147	1 Year Support Service for NB-IoT NTN
MD8430A-SS170	1 Year Support Service for W-CDMA/GSM
MD8430A-SS171	1 Year Support Service for LTE eMTC
MD8430A-SS172	1 Year Support Service for NB-IoT
MX843010E-SS120	LTE Control Software 1 Year Support Service
MN8150A	RF Combiner Unit
G0091	Monitor Board
J1005	Monitor Cable 80
J1416A	LVDS Cable
J1609A	Signal Divider