New-Tech Europe | May 2017

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.

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

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