Complexity breeds quality challenges
In a recent interview, Jim Iuliano of Azimuth Systems discussed the need for innovative test solutions for sophisticated communications devices.
By Larry Maloney, Contributing Editor -- Test & Measurement World, 12/1/2008 2:00:00 AM
 JIM IULIANO President and CEO Azimuth Systems Acton, MA Jim Iuliano has more than a decade of CEO experience in the semiconductor, life sciences, display, and optical systems industries. Prior to joining Azimuth Systems, he was an entrepreneur in residence at North Bridge Venture Partners. Previously, he served as president and CEO of E Ink, a privately held materials technology company, and before that he headed Molecular Devices, an analytical instrumentation company in life sciences. Earlier in his career, Iuliano worked at both IBM and VLSI Technology. He holds a BS from Boston College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Contributing editor Larry Maloney conducted a phone interview with Iuliano on the need for innovative test solutions for sophisticated communications devices. |
Q: How will the economic slump affect the wireless industry?
A: Certainly the economic slowdown will have an impact. Among communications companies, there will be some downward revisions in revenue and growth estimates, as well as tightened capital expansion budgets. Still, the underlying trend toward growth in wireless technology remains healthy, with increasing mobile access to more and more multimedia applications. We see projections that, within five years, mobile devices will actually eclipse PC connections.
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Jim Iuliano addresses more questions on technology convergence and test partnerships in the continuation of this interview. |
Q. What is Azimuth’s niche in wireless communications test?
A: Our core technology is testing the impact that mobility has on sending and receiving IP (Internet protocol) packets. For example, how will my device perform as it is roaming, and what’s the impact of mobility on data-transmission integrity? So, we play at the nexus between quality of service and motion.
Our main value add is that we conduct all our tests in a controlled environment, as opposed to traditional open-air tests where a device is constantly assaulted by innumerable outside RF interferences. Our controlled environment allows us to test performance metrics one at a time for superior quality in RF testing. We’ve also built our test systems from the ground up to handle sophisticated communications technology, such as MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) and OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing). Finally, our products are scalable, easy to configure, and readily integrated with other tools in test labs.
Q: What special test challenges result from the proliferation of new communications technologies?A: A good example is the convergence of WiFi, which started as a data-communications technology, with voice-based cellular. Our response at Azimuth is to develop a comprehensive suite of automated fixed-mobile convergence test solutions for issues such as call quality, dropped calls, and battery life. In this effort, we’ve taken our WiFi test experience and partnered with Agilent, which has long experience in cellular test. This will be a continuing strategy. As devices require more complicated testing, as in converged environments, we hope to partner with other companies to design integrated, turnkey test solutions for our customers.
Q: Which standard do you see dominating 4G technology?
A: There are multiple contenders, most notably WiMAX and LTE (long-term evolution). WiMAX plays very well in countries such as India that don’t have an incumbent wired investment. LTE, on the other hand, has greater strength in areas that do have existing wired infrastructure. So, most of the large cellular carriers, such as AT&T, Vodafone, and Verizon, have opted for LTE. Our test platforms support both standards, and we’re equally at home with open or proprietary systems.
Q: What was Azimuth’s most significant new product of 2008?
A: This year, we introduced in beta the ACE MX, which supports frequencies between 450 MHz and 6 GHz. It meets the needs of all relevant wireless technologies and standards in the world of cellular, including LTE. This new platform, which will be on the market in the first quarter of 2009, delivers excellent RF fidelity and ease of use. And it’s scalable, covering applications from entry-level solutions up to the most sophisticated research needs. We believe that the MX will open up new markets for us and be our major growth driver in 2009 and beyond.
Read the continuation of this interview.
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