Product category:
Stand-Alone Instruments
News Release from: Aeroflex | Subject: 3500 radio test set
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 27 April 2006
Vehicle radio tester includes cables and
antennas
A lightweight and portable radio test set is designed specifically to test vehicle-based radio systems used predominantly by first responders.
Aeroflex has launched the 3500 radio test set, a lightweight and portable radio test set designed specifically to test vehicle-based radio systems used predominantly by first responders The Aeroflex 3500 radio test set incorporates the latest technology in rugged design, portability, battery life and high performance
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 3 Oct 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
PXI-based platform heralds new wireless strategy
The Aeroflex 3000 series is a PXI-based modular test suite for mobile phone and general-purpose wireless test.
Deeper analysis for broadband signals
Aeroflex has added a broad array of new signal measurement capabilities to its Celerity CS35000 Series broadband signal analyser and recorder family (BSA).
The new test set allows the user to test all aspects of the vehicle's system - from the radio to the cable and the antenna - with powerful features typically found only in bench-top radio test equipment.
With a built-in generator and receiver, the Aeroflex 3500 radio test set operates from 2MHz to 1GHz and it is capable of measuring high power (up to 200W with an external attenuator) as well as finding faults in antenna, power amplifiers and interconnects.
It performs a wide variety of AM/FM transmitter and receiver tests including RF power, RF frequency error, AM modulation, FM deviation, receive signal strength indicator (RSSI), distortion and SINAD/sensitivity.
Further reading
Radio tester takes on land mobile radio option
Aeroflex has licensed Trident Micro Systems' Passport protocol for use in its wireless communications test systems.
Software sppeds setup for microwave test systems
Aeroflex has integrated National Instruments' NI TestStand development system into its high-performance synthetic microwave test systems.
Broadband testers gain fast RAID storage option
Aeroflex has developed an ultrafast storage capability for its Celerity CS35000 broadband signal analyser (BSA) and CS25000 broadband signal generator (BSG) systems.
"Aeroflex's 3500 is the most comprehensive vehicular test system available and meets the needs of a variety of radio vehicle tests and commercial radio applications", said Rob Barden, Director of Product Marketing, Aeroflex Test Solutions.
"The 3500 allows technicians and engineers to quickly find and isolate radio system failures, including cable and antenna problems, more quickly than other test sets because it features a built in VSWR meter and other test capabilities that allow the user to test the entire radio system".
As many radio system faults actually originate in the cabling or antenna rather than in the radio, the Aeroflex 3500 radio test set conveniently allows the user to measure the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of both the cable and the antenna.
A large VSWR can indicate a high return loss caused by a bad cable, connector, or antenna.
Isolating the problem in the cable, connector or antenna prevents the user from returning a good radio to the manufacturer or depot for repair, thus avoiding unnecessary extra cost as well as the inconvenience of radio system down time.
The Aeroflex 3500 radio test set weighs just 3.9kg, including the battery and solid aluminium weatherproof case.
It has an operating temperature range of -10 to +50C, and is designed with rugged construction specifications for humidity, altitude, shock and vibration.
It has a battery life of seven hours and can be fully recharged and ready to operate in only four hours.
When not in use, the Aeroflex 3500 radio test set and the optional accessories can be easily stored and transported in a sturdy carrying case.
The Aeroflex 3500 radio test set is designed to enable quick "drive-by" testing, allowing the user to connect to the supplied antenna, key up the radio and measure the radio parameters over-the-air.
A microphone/speaker combination handset is provided to check voice quality of the transmitter and receiver.
The Aeroflex 3500 radio test set utilises a software-defined radio architecture where the software defines almost all of the functionality of the test set from the RF physical layer and up.
Because it is software-defined, it allows for future updates and improvements to the capability of the instrument and the user can easily add options or update functional improvements in the field without the need to return the instrument to the factory.
Future product enhancements will include spectrum analyser and oscilloscope functions.
• Aeroflex: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Electronicstalk email newsletter
• Electronicstalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
