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How can I Perform an HSDPA Test?

Patrick Roland
Patrick Roland

Mobile phone technology is increasing at an amazing rate, and with it, the support system that allows people to post photos, update blogs and create podcasts on handheld devices needs to improve. In order to handle all of the communication that is happening, phone companies and software manufacturers perform an HSDPA test on their products to ensure that it can smoothly transmit bulky data from phones to computers. If you want to test HSDPA, you will need a lot of equipment and computer knowledge before beginning.

HSDPA stands for High-Speed Downlink Packet/Protocol Access and was developed by the Third Generation Partnership Program as a method of better transferring data from mobile phones. The need arose when telephone and software companies began realizing that mobile device users weren't just viewing content on their machine but creating it through blog posts, podcasts and videos. Unfortunately, sending this information was often slow and difficult with 3G technology. Many phone companies anticipated a rise in 3G subscribers and wanted to create a smoother data transfer experience, so they began to run HSDPA tests for various tools.

A HSDPA modem and USB cord.
A HSDPA modem and USB cord.

If you want to run your own software on this new brand of network, there are some highly technical pieces of equipment needed for an HSDPA test. A cellular phone with the appropriate program to test is a must, as is a computer to view the end product. In between, you must have a node to receive the cellular signal and an RNC simulator computer that is programmed to mimic a 3G network and convert it into an online stream of data. These normally are professional-grade pieces of equipment and could be expensive to purchase or build.

High-Speed Downlink Packet/Protocol Access (HSDPA) was developed by the Third Generation Partnership Program as a method of better transferring data from mobile phones.
High-Speed Downlink Packet/Protocol Access (HSDPA) was developed by the Third Generation Partnership Program as a method of better transferring data from mobile phones.

When all equipment is linked up and operational, you are ready for an HSDPA test. The test itself is fairly simple and begins with you creating something as basic as a blog post or creating a video on a mobile device. Next, you send it to the node, which acts as a digital antenna, accepting your HSDPA test data and sending it to the simulator. The RNC simulator will pass the data along as if it were part of the enormous 3G network until it reaches a home computer for viewing.

Ideally, your test should show how quickly HSDPA technology and your mobile software work together. This micro version of a 3G mobile broadband network will allow you to work out any kinks in your programming. Don't be worried if you don't immediately achieve the ideal results, because this sensitive equipment requires a great deal of fine tuning.

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    • A HSDPA modem and USB cord.
      By: Petr Malyshev
      A HSDPA modem and USB cord.
    • High-Speed Downlink Packet/Protocol Access (HSDPA) was developed by the Third Generation Partnership Program as a method of better transferring data from mobile phones.
      By: tashka2000
      High-Speed Downlink Packet/Protocol Access (HSDPA) was developed by the Third Generation Partnership Program as a method of better transferring data from mobile phones.