Racal Instruments Introduces the World's First Smart Multi-Channel UMTS Interference Analyzer.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 2001

Racal Instruments has introduced SmartAIR, the world's first multi-channel GSM and UMTS interference analyzer.

The first to offer network operators high-integrity, cost-effective and comprehensive infrastructure analysis providing interference identification under extremely adverse interference conditions, Racal's SmartAIR uses patented smart antenna technology with adaptive spatial-time filtering techniques.

With today's mobile users seeking the most reliable networks and the imminent widespread introduction of high-speed data services such as GPRS and EDGE, it is now essential that networks are resilient and interference free.

Poor reception and slow data transmissions result in dissatisfied users, increasing churn rates and reducing revenues for network operators. In the quest to provide reliable, interference free mobile telephony, SmartAIR has already been adopted by several successful GSM network operators.

Ideal for use with current GSM systems and future third generation (3G) networks, with simple re-calibration in new allocated frequency bands, SmartAIR's multiple receivers have a wide frequency range of 450MHz to 3GHz. In addition, the current GSM and UMTS support is soon to be followed by CDMA2000 and other wideband CDMA technologies.

Enabling the fast, easy and accurate identification of interfering cells, SmartAIR uses multiple receivers and a time and spatial filtering algorithm -- STAF (Space and Time Adaptive Filtering), operating in both uplink and downlink directions.

Designed for initial network troubleshooting, SmartAIR's integrated spectrum analyzer gives the user both temporal and frequency domain displays with the signal acquisition process being automatically triggered if required using the optional tracking mobile capability.

Racal's radio communications test business unit provides a comprehensive range of award winning radio communications test and protocol analysis equipment for present and new generation communications systems.

In addition, it's the world's leading supplier of digital radio base station test systems as well as the world's leading manufacturer of test systems for the new and emerging digital radio satellite communication networks.

Racal Instruments is a global manufacturer of precision electronic test and measurement equipment that covers the spectrum from DC to optical wavelengths for use in a wide variety of applications in industries ranging from defense and aerospace to automotive and communications.

Racal Instruments is a member of the international Thales Group of companies that has substantial businesses in information technology and services, aerospace and defense. Combined global revenues of Thales are close to 8.6 billion. Thales employs 65,000 people worldwide.

Sales contacts:
   Europe -- Anji Metcalf                   Tel:  + 44 1628 604455
   Americas -- Amir Ghanouni                Tel:  [phone]
   Asia Pacific (Hong Kong) -- Esmond Chan  Tel:  + 852 2405 5500
   Australia -- Steve Clifton               Tel:  + 61 2 9936 7000

Visit Racal Instruments on the Web at http://www.racalinstruments.com

Note to Editors:

SmartAIR allows the easy transfer of the acquired data for output reporting by interfacing with most of the industry's network planning and optimization tools in the most widely used format. In addition, SmartAIR provides accurate location information in the form of cartographic displays by interfacing with the optional integrated GPS (Global Positioning System).

Supplied as either a standalone system or fully integrated into a suitable vehicle, SmartAIR provides the industry's premier interference analysis capability, identifying interference including co- and adjacent channel, even when the interfering signals exceed the wanted signal level by as much as 15dB.

This is achieved by the use of up to five separate high quality co-channel receivers combined with adaptive time and spatial filtering techniques. This technique allows reliable demodulation and decoding of all signals found within a specified frequency range of the wanted signal.

The illustrations compare the performance of a single receiver against that of a multiple receiver with spatial filtering. A clear separation of the two signals can be seen on the second illustration, whereby identification of the interfering cells is easily achievable. Note also that SmartAIR is capable of operating in both uplink and downlink directions.

The high accuracy level measurements made by SmartAIR are used to compile a list of interfering sources in priority order. Each interfering source is identified and the user is provided with this information within seconds of the actual signal acquisition by SmartAIR.

If the received signals are hopping, in addition to their identification and correlation to their host BCCH carriers, the percentage of time during which the interference is present is also calculated and reported to the user.

Multiple peripheral interfaces are provided and supported. For example: in addition to a maximum of four tracking mobiles, a global positioning system may be integrated to provide accurate location information which is presented visually as a cartographic display indicating the route travelled and the points at which measurements are taken.

Output reporting using ESRI databases is also provided to facilitate the interfacing to most network planning and optimization tools allowing the simple transfer of SmartAIR's acquired data to these tools in the most widely used format.

SmartAir, the world's first multi-channel GSM and UMTS interference analyzer from Racal Instruments, offers network operators high-integrity, cost-effective and comprehensive infrastructure analysis. Providing interference identification under extremely adverse interference conditions, SmartAIR uses patented smart antenna technology with adaptive spatial filtering.

Note to Editors: Illustrations available upon request.

Steve Gledhill of Racal Instruments will be at the company's booth No. 2833 at the CTIA show in Las Vegas. He can be reached on his mobile telephone at [phone].