IFR Announces Industry's First Multi-source Signal Generator for Bluetooth and GSM Testing.

Business Editors/Technology Writers

WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 30, 2001

2026B with Bluetooth is Ideal for Blocking,

Selectivity and Intermodulation Tests

IFR Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:IFRS) announced today the wireless industry's first multi-source signal generator capable of generating multiple Bluetooth and GSM carriers within one instrument. For critical Bluetooth interoperability testing, the 2026B with Bluetooth Option 117 is more cost effective than buying two or three separate signal sources. The 2026B multi-source generator with Bluetooth allows the user to simultaneously generate two Bluetooth modulated carriers and one GSM carrier in a single instrument.

"The 2026 Bluetooth signal source allows developers a less expensive way to test Bluetooth and GSM compatibility," said David Owen, signal sources product manager, IFR. "After all, Bluetooth is designed to be a low-cost technology for consumer devices. Reducing testing costs is critical for Bluetooth designers. Testing is vital to Bluetooth success, but the cost of test should match the low-cost of the technology."

"The Bluetooth option also greatly expands IFR's customer base. We can offer this low-cost solution to our traditional mobile telephone customers and to new customers designing Bluetooth chipsets, Bluetooth PC plug-in cards, personal digital assistants (PDAs), printers and vending machines," Owen said.

The 2026B, a 10 kHz to 2.51 GHz source, can be fitted with either two or three signal sources that can be combined together onto a common combiner output, or routed to individual outputs. Each of the signal sources can be frequency- and amplitude-coupled so that common measurements, such as intermodulation or receiver selectivity, can be performed more quickly and more accurately than using individual signal generators.

The new option for the 2026B signal source enables the user to perform tests on Bluetooth and GSM receivers and is particularly useful for performing blocking tests. Bluetooth Option 117 can accept external data sources for Bluetooth and GSM generators or it can use internal PRBS (Pseudo Random Binary Sequence) generators. Bluetooth Option 117 has a new RF combiner system that allows an external source of signals (a GSM test set or Bluetooth test set) to be added to the combiner output while using all three of the 2026B sources.

The 2026B multi-source generator saves time and money

The 2026 is the industry's only multi-source, broadband signal generator. Unlike other signal sources, it can be configured with two or three high-performance, high-power, fully calibrated RF signal sources in a single instrument. Using a 2026B equipped with Bluetooth Option 117 is an economical way to perform Bluetooth and GSM receiver tests without having to spend extra time and money to buy, connect and calibrate two or three signal sources for one test system. The 2026B has a built-in combiner, switches and cables, eliminating uncertainty when connecting separate boxes for two- and three-tone testing. The 2026B with Bluetooth Option 117 also allows the engineer to perform many important tests without having to purchase a costly Bluetooth radio test set.

Multi-source testing for GSM also available

Also available from IFR is the 2026 with Option 116 for GSM to test GSM amplifiers and receivers. Option 116 adds a set of two or three baseband sources that can be connected to each of the external FM inputs of the 2026. By setting the 2026 to external modulation, with the ALC (Automatic Level Control) on, and the deviation set to 67.7 kHz, a GSM carrier can be generated from each of the two or three sources incorporated in the 2026.

All 2026 models offer excellent noise

and spurious signal performance

Both the 2026 with Option 116 for GSM and the 2026 with Option 117 for Bluetooth/GSM have excellent wide-band noise characteristics. ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) defines a measurement for wide-band noise where the power measured in a 100 kHz resolution bandwidth on a spectrum analyzer is compared with the carrier power measured in a 30 kHz resolution bandwidth. For an output of +10 dBm on the individual output, a 2026 with Option 116 or 117 typically measures -80 dBc. Application notes describing GSM and Bluetooth testing are available upon request from IFR.

Price and Availability

The three-source 2026B with Bluetooth Option 117 is priced at $30,595 (US). A two-source 2026B version is priced at $20,467 (US). A three-source 2026B signal source is priced at $29,540 (US). The 2026B and Bluetooth Option 117 are available in six weeks upon receipt of order.

The 2026A/B Option 116 for GSM is priced at $950 (US). Upgrades for existing 2026 and 2026A/B customers can be made available. A two-source 2026A is priced at $18,568 (US). A three-source 2026A signal source is priced at $26,797 (US). The 2026A/B versions are also available in six weeks upon receipt of order.

About IFR

IFR is a leading designer and manufacturer of advanced wireless test solutions for communications, avionics, and general test and measurement applications. For more information about IFR, in the United States, contact: IFR, 10200 West York Street, Wichita, Kan., 67215-8999. Contact us via e-mail at [e-mail], on the Web at www.ifrsys.com, or by telephone at 800/835-2352 or 316/522-4981.