Wireless: prime engine for communications test (continued)

A continuation of our interview with Hiromichi Toda, President of Anritsu, which appeared in the December/January 2010 Viewpoint column.

Larry Maloney -- Test & Measurement World, 12/1/2009 10:51:00 AM

HIROMICHI TODA President Anritsu Atsugi, Japan Hiromichi Toda joined Anritsu in 1971 after graduating from the Waseda University Department of Science and Engineering. He has held engineering and general business management positions in Anritsu's Kanagawa, Japan, headquarters, as well as at the US subsidiary in Morgan Hill, CA. He was appointed senior VP and GM of Anritsu's measurement business group in June 2004 and assumed the role of president in June 2005. Contributing editor Larry Maloney conducted an e-mail interview with Hiromichi Toda on instrumentation for the communications market and other specialized applications.   Read the first part of this interview.

Q: What other types of test equipment is Anritsu developing to serve leading-edge wireless markets?

A: Besides the already mentioned MD8430A signaling tester, Anritsu is contributing to the early introduction of LTE by developing robust LTE protocol test solutions that take maximum advantage of our expertise in 3G. Examples include the MF6900A fading simulator mentioned earlier and the MS2690A series signal analyzers that support evaluation of LTE-FDD (LTE-frequency-division-duplex) transmission characteristics. Still other key products that target LTE include the MG3700A vector signal generator that supports evaluation of reception characteristics, and the MT8221B BTS Master base-station analyzer.

Our product line-up for HSPA+ includes the ME7873F conformance test system, the first solution to support HSPA+ test functions. We also offer single instrument solutions, such as the MT8820B/MT8815B radio communication analyzers that offer RF testing for HSPA/HSPA+ terminals, as well as the MD8480C signaling tester that supports chipset and mobile device development. Another significant product for HSPA is the MS2690A series that offers transmission and reception signal analysis for base stations and mobile stations. We also offer WiMAX-compatible products, such as the MG3700A vector signal generator, the MS2690A signal analyzers, and the BTS Master MT8222B analyzer.

Q: What do you consider to be Anritsu's most significant product introductions of 2009?

A: Our series of measurement solutions that support LTE that we have previously discussed are significant, not only for Anritsu but for the industry as a whole. Our new handheld E Series analyzers are also important for the industry because of the added performance they bring to handheld instruments. Consisting of three major product lines—Spectrum Master, Site Master and Cell Master—these E platform products are lightweight, robust, and user friendly. With improved sweep speed, the Site Master can conduct antenna cable analysis 2.5 times faster than our previous model, boosting measurement efficiency in the field. The Cell Master provides the functions of multiple instruments, such as a spectrum analyzer, cable antenna analyzer, power meter, and signal analyzer options for 2G and 3G cellular networks and for WiMAX fixed and mobile networks.

We have also taken the lead in introducing 100G Ethernet test instruments, following the trends in the standard as well. With the MP1800 signal quality analyzer, we have taken the lead by offering 56G mux/demux that supports development and validation of 50-Gbps-class ultra-high-speed devices. We intend to continue to introduce products that support the 100G plan. One of the biggest introductions in 2009 is the VectorStar premium series of microwave VNAs (vector network analyzers). VectorStar delivers best-in-class frequency coverage of 70 kHz to 70 GHz, dynamic range of 103 dB at 67 GHz, and measurement speed of 20 μs/point. This establishes a new performance benchmark for S-parameter measurements on RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave devices.

Q: How much potential do you see for audio test?

A: Our new MT8855A test suite creates a wonderful opportunity for us because it is the ideal instrument for both design validation and manufacturing test. Typical Bluetooth products that can be tested with the MT8855A include stereo and mono headsets, mobile phones, digital music players, integrated and accessory car kits, and desktop speakers.

Q: What factors drive innovation at Anritsu?

A: The chief factor is the long-term relationships we have developed with leading-edge customers focused on developing optical and 3G products all around the world. One of the driving forces of our innovation is sharing the development road map with these customers. Other important factors in stimulating innovation include our participation in the ITU (International Telecommunication Union), the 3GPP, and other standardization organizations, as well as contributing to the industry as a manufacturer of test instruments.

Read past Viewpoint columns at www.tmworld.com/viewpoint.

Q: How much synergy exists among Anritsu's global development teams?

A: Synergy between our worldwide development teams is enhanced by sharing the technologies of various operations in product planning. For example, we have integrated 3G and LTE testing technology developed in Japan into the BTS Master, which is manufactured in the US. Another example is the commercialization of measuring instruments for DTTV (digital terrestrial television), using the American handheld platform. In the future, we will maximize our synergy by mutual sharing of technologies and platforms, such as those for optical, RF/microwave, signaling, and protocol analysis.

Q: From a geographic standpoint, what are Anritsu's fastest-growing markets?

A: In China, the introduction of 3G in 2009 created an opportunity for our measuring instruments used in various stages, including infrastructure installation and maintenance, TD-SCDMA (time-division synchronous-code-division multiple access) terminals manufacturing, and TD-LTE development. Russia has yet to introduce 3G, but it also holds potential demand for infrastructure installation and monitoring systems. We have established sales offices in Russia and are taking steps to ensure we gain market share in that region.

Read the first part of this interview.