IFR Releases Industry's First Test System for New GAIT Mobile Phone Development; Software Test Suite Supports GAIT Dual-mode Phone Standard for GSM and TDMA.

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2001

IFR Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:IFRS), today announced the release of its GAIT Software Test Suite, the AC1080, for testing the next generation of GSM/TDMA dual-mode mobile phones.

The AC1080 Software Test Suite works in conjunction with IFR's popular 1900-5 Cellular System Analyzer (CSA) and IFR's 2935 GSM Test Head. IFR is the first to offer a test solution for the new GAIT phones now in development.

GAIT (GSM/ANSI-136 Interoperability Team) is a combined effort of the North American GSM operators and the UWCC (Universal Wireless Communications Consortium) to establish dual-mode interoperability for GSM and TDMA/ANSI-136 wireless handsets.

"With the recent adoption of GSM technology by the major TDMA operators, the prevalence of dual mode GSM/TDMA-capable mobiles will increase dramatically. GAIT mobiles allow users to roam on different network technologies using one phone. This allows operators to improve coverage and customer satisfaction," said Rob Barden, senior product marketing manager, IFR. "The AC1080 addresses the special test requirements for GAIT mobile phone manufacturers and operators. IFR has worked closely with the major manufacturers and operators to release this critical test capability early on in the development cycle of GAIT mobile phones."

The AC1080 allows the IFR 1900-5 CSA TDMA test set and the IFR 2935 GSM test head to work together in a PC Windows(TM) environment to test the dual-mode GSM/TDMA-capable GAIT mobile phones. Designed to test network reselection processes and GSM Hosted Teleservices (GHOST), the AC1080 test suite emulates both a GSM and TDMA base station. Special provisions are incorporated to allow the test suite user to build both GSM and GHOST SMS (Short Message Services) messages, as well as define the transport processes for delivery of GHOST SMS messages.

"GSM and TDMA networks are coming together. The ability to test network selection algorithms, intelligent roaming and SMS transport is becoming more important," says Barden. "With the initial release of GAIT-capable mobiles in the near future, manufacturers and operators will need advanced test solutions to test their handset's ability to roam and operate across both TDMA and GSM systems."

Application Note Available from IFR

To assist customers with GAIT testing, IFR has written an application note "Testing GAIT Phase One Mobiles" that is now available to download from its web site at www.ifrsys.com at the URL: http://www.ifrsys.com/products/wireless/app%20notes/900.pdf.

Price and Availability

The AC1080 Software Test Suite is available now from IFR. It is priced at U.S. $9,995 and requires an IFR 1900-5 CSA TDMA test set and the IFR 2935 GSM test head to operate. The 1900-5 CSA is available in four weeks upon receipt of order. It is priced at U.S. $68,900. The 2935 test head is also available in four weeks upon receipt of order. It is priced at U.S. $11,394.

IFR -- Advancing Wireless Test

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.