PRESS RELEASE: Spirent Verifies LTE to CDMA Handover to Ensure Seamless Service Experience on New Generation of Mobile Networks

20th Jul 2010 14:30

Functionality Enables Seamless Mobility of LTE Multi-Mode Devices SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 20, 2010-- Spirent Communications, a global leader in wireless networks, devices and services testing, today announced testing capability that enables companies in the LTE ecosystem to verify LTE to CDMA handover of mobile device signals using lab-based test equipment. A live demonstration, using Spirent's eAirAccess wireless network emulator, to an audience of network operator and device manufacturer representatives highlighted how Spirent ensures that subscribers experience seamless service even when transitioning across different types of wireless networks. "Some early LTE network deployments will use multi-mode devices that support LTE, CDMA, and EV-DO," said Will Stofega, program director, Mobile Device Technology and Trends, IDC. "Testing handover between two radio access technologies is critical to ensuring transitions between those technologies will occur without the subscriber experiencing any glitches." An LTE-to-CDMA handover, known as Inter-Radio Access Technology (I-RAT) handover, occurs when a mobile device equipped to use both technologies moves away from an LTE service area during a call or application session. Early LTE deployments will need to coexist with legacy networks such as CDMA/EV-DO or UMTS/HSPA for many years and users will expect seamless mobility across technologies and networks. "LTE is not a natural evolution from CDMA/EV-DO," said Hesham ElHamahmy, vice-president at Spirent's wireless division. "It evolved from WCDMA and HSPA technology and deploying a CDMA/LTE network requires the use of evolved High Rate Packet Data, a 'helper' technology which acts as both a translator and 'traffic cop' between technologies. This technology evolution lends itself to a significant amount of complexity, something that Spirent is particularly well-positioned to address with our cutting-edge testing solution." This I-RAT handover testing functionality has been added to Spirent's 8100 family of automated device testing solutions. The 8100's eAirAccess network emulator features powerful enhanced packet core (EPC) emulation for simultaneous support of multi-technology (LTE, CDMA/EV-DO, UMTS), multi-cell networks. This enables the broadest possible test coverage of LTE multi-mode device performance, including RF/MIMO, location-based services, data throughput and more. For more information on LTE device testing and I-RAT handover testing visit http://www.spirent.com/Wireless/LTE_Testing.aspx. About Spirent Communications plc Spirent Communications plc. (LSE: SPT), a global leader in test & measurement offers an extensive portfolio of solutions to test data centers, high speed Ethernet networks and services, 3G/4G wireless networks and devices, network security, and global navigation satellite systems. For more information visit http://www.spirent.com/planet-spirent/media_room/about_spirent_ communications_plc.aspx CONTACT: Spirent Communications Corporate Sailaja Tennati, 770-432-3225 [email protected] or Asia Pacific Janet Peng, +86 (10) 82330055 x160 [email protected] or Zonic PR Europe Kate Innes, +44 (0) 1672 550123 [email protected] SOURCE: Spirent Communications plc. Copyright Business Wire 2010 Order free Annual Report for Spirent Communications PLC Visit http://djnweurope.ar.wilink.com/?ticker=GB0004726096 or call +44 (0)208 391 6028 (END) Dow Jones Newswires July 20, 2010 09:30 ET (13:30 GMT)