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Figure 1: Functional schematic of multi-user base-station test
system utilizing the ZT-20X6NB switch matrix. 6 independent
test stations can interact with any of the 20 BTS channels.
this customer was building.
The system is designed into in
a compact, 5U height, 10-inch
rack-mountable chassis with all
26 RF connections (N-type) easily
accessible on the front panel
(figure 2). It includes both USB
and Ethernet control interfaces
along with a built-in touch screen
giving users a versatile range of
control options. Software support is
provided through Mini-Circuits’ user-
friendly GUI application for remote
control over a network or via USB
connection. ActiveX and .NET API
objects for Windows environments
and HTTP / Telnet support ensure
compatibility with most common
programming environments.
User Permission Control
In order to allow multiple,
independent tests to be conducted
in parallel while preventing one
user from inadvertently disrupting
another’s test, the GUI software
features a user profile management
interface through which an Admin
can create and manage user profiles
to control which users have access
to which switch paths. Permission
settings for different user access
configurations can be saved as
permission files and loaded to
the GUI as needed in the future,
minimizing setup time.
Cloud Sandbox Capability
In addition to USB, Ethernet and
touch-screen control interfaces, the
ZT-20X6NB system also incorporates
“Cloud Sandbox” software that
allows a customer to replicate a
particular network or production
environment. This virtual replica
environment, called a sandbox, can
be used for development, testing,
demos, training and support. It
allows the user to create a virtual,
on-demand lab environment that is
accessible from within a self-serviced
cloud.
This cloud sandbox capability allows
complex network infrastructure
and automated test systems to be
modelled and developed offline, in a
virtual environment which consists
of complex entities such as virtual,
physical and network elements.
Each of these environments is
made up of various “shells,” which
are the building blocks that model
infrastructure and applications.
These shells are similar to device
drivers that control a specific device.
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