Spirent Communications has added testing capability to verify LTE to CDMA handover of mobile device signals using lab-based test equipment. 

An LTE-to-CDMA handover, known as Inter-Radio Access Technology (I-RAT) handover, occurs when a mobile device equipped to use both technologies moves away from an LTE service area during a call or application session. Early LTE deployments will need to coexist with legacy networks such as CDMA/EV-DO or UMTS/HSPA for many years and users will expect seamless mobility across technologies and networks. 

“Some early LTE network deployments will use multi-mode devices that support LTE, CDMA, and EV-DO. Testing handover between two radio access technologies is critical to ensuring transitions between those technologies will occur without the subscriber experiencing any glitches,” said Will Stofega, program director, Mobile Device Technology and Trends, IDC. 

“LTE is not a natural evolution from CDMA/EV-DO. It evolved from WCDMA and HSPA technology and deploying a CDMA/LTE network requires the use of evolved High Rate Packet Data, a ‘helper’ technology which acts as both a translator and ‘traffic cop’ between technologies. This technology evolution lends itself to a significant amount of complexity, something that Spirent is particularly well-positioned to address with our cutting-edge testing solution,” said Hesham ElHamahmy, vice-president at Spirent’s wireless division.

This I-RAT handover testing functionality has been added to Spirent’s 8100 family of automated device testing solutions.