Conformance tester for WLAN
Staff -- Test & Measurement World, 6/1/2004
EDITORS' CHOICE
The WaveTest 802.11 verification system can perform tests at every stage of WLAN development—from design to manufacturing to customer support. The system, which provides complete conformance testing and 802.11 protocol analysis, is intended to replace a variety of general-purpose RF and software tools, such as spectrum analyzers and listen-only protocol analyzers, that do not test full conformance to the 802.11 protocol.
WaveTest consists of lightweight PC-controlled units called Test Points. A base system includes three Test Points that generate traffic and record responses. Multiple Test Points can be distributed throughout the test environment yet still be tightly synchronized to create virtually any 802.11 test situation. WaveTest can operate in both a shielded lab environment or in open air, matching the environment where WLAN systems are installed and where signals often interfere in ways that can't be anticipated during lab tests. To perform complete 802.11 protocol analysis, the system provides interactive traffic control with timing precision for both correct and error-filled traffic. WaveTest can perform spatial testing to allow investigation of overlapping coverage areas, roaming, advanced switching architectures, and location-based services.
Each Test Point is fully programmable to act like an access point or any other 802.11 device. WaveTest can transmit any type of 802.11 frame (as well as interference), it can receive any frame type (including partial frames), and it supports collide-on-the-fly interference testing. A user can save an exact snapshot of a problem and bring it back to the development lab for extensive analysis.
Base price: $74,000. VeriWave, Portland, OR. 503-473-8350; www.veriwave.com. (Editor's note: We originally quoted the base price as $62,000 in our June 2004 issue, but the company subsequently informed us that it has changed the price.)
