WIMAX: "In the deployment stage, test tools will get cheaper"

As a key member of IEEE group on 802.16 and the WiMax Forum, Agilent has
had early access and involvement with standards development. How is that
reflected in your T&M offerings for the WiMax platform?

Our commitment to standardization and accelerating development and
deployment of WiMax is reflected in our comprehensive portfolio of wireless test
products.

For example, there are software tools that have the flexibility to build
orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) simulation models and WiMax
specific signals. Virtual prototyping is available when used in conjunction with
relevant signal generator and vector signal analysis software.

Shankar Roy Chowdhury

The vector signal analysis software has a large array of demodulators,
filters, displays, and analysis features, which make it ideally suited for
evaluating and troubleshooting WiMax signals. WiMax-specific vector signal
generator, for frequencies up to 6 GHz, spectrum analyzers, for 3 GHz to 26.5
GHz frequencies, are also available, among others.

At this stage, chip and gear makers should typically be using various
debugging and testing tools, as they ready products for the market. What's the
size of the WiMax T&M market now?

There are no published figures available on market size. However, we have
seen that in the early stage of product development, the investment is
significant in the design and design verification activities. As the products
get accepted and volumes pick up, we will see huge investments in manufacturing,
both for chipset and for equipment.

At a later stage, when deployments start happening, service providers will
be the bulk buyers of network analyzers and other field-testing tools. How big a
market are you looking at then?

In the deployment stage, the cost of test tools is expected to come down
drastically. Currently, there are not many such options available in the market.

How does the pricing of WiMax tools compare with those of GSM/CDMA tools?
Are these going to be relatively high-priced products because of the high
frequencies involved?

Some of the test tools like spectrum analyzer, and RF power meter are common
to both WiMax and GSM/CDMA technologies. However, many test instruments, such as
'one-box functional tester', could be different at the manufacturing stage.
The price of manufacturing test gear can vary considerably depending on which
stage the customer is working.