Field Measuring Instrument now with LTE Option

Narda Safety Test Solutions (USA) has equipped the frequency selective field measuring instrument SRM-3006 with an LTE option. The instrument measures the electromagnetic fields emanating from LTE wireless communications stations in their entirety as well as according to cells and their antennas automatically. The instrument can also extrapolate the results to determine the emmission that would occur when transmission capacity is fully utilised.

Upcoming regulations on human and environmental protection not only require measurement of the instantaneous field exposure at an antenna site, but also demand separate recording of the proportions due to the individual antennas and extrapolation to determine the exposure at maximum traffic load. All these requirements are met by the SRM-3006 with its new LTE option.

The Selective Radiation Meter SRM-3006 obtains the LTE-specific information by demodulating control and information channels that are part of the LTE signal. The instrument automatically extracts the Cell ID from the Primary and Secondary Sync Signals (PSS, SSS) and determines the transmitting antennas from the Reference Signal (RS). All the levels of these signals can be shown at the same time and in detail down to each individual antenna. Settable extrapolation factors allow calculation of the field exposure at maximum transmission load.

As a spectrum analyser, the SRM-3006 can completely cover all LTE bandwidths from 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz or select individual frequency channels down to 15 kHz. The instrument displays the continuous time characteristic of the signal level in Scope mode, so that the levels of the sync signals PSS and SSS can be identified even though they are present only in a few timeslots. The SRM-3006 automatically records peak values in Level Meter mode.

The SRM-3006 can automatically evaluate the field exposure in accordance with current human safety standards. Wireless communications operators and authorities therefore mainly use it for monitoring limit values. Its analysis features also make it suitable for checking signal integrity and for detecting impairments.

The LTE option is available with immediate effect. Older instruments can be retrofitted.