TRaC to facilitate second Femto Forum plugfest

Following the Femto Forum's announcement earlier this week to hold a second plugfest, TRaC has today confirmed it will once again be facilitating the interoperability testing event and ongoing interoperability program.

The agreement comes after TRaC facilitated the world's first femtocell plugfest event earlier this year, which received widespread vendor support and was attended by more than 20 companies. TRaC and the Femto Forum are now making plans for the second plugfest and looking to build on their already successful partnership.

To be held towards the end of 2010, this second plugfest will focus on the Broadband Forum's Femtocell management standard, building on the work of the Forum's first plugfest on the Iuh interface.

Karim Sharf, chief operating officer at TRaC, commented: "Femtocells and their deployment is undoubtedly becoming a significant focus for many telecommunications operators.

"By holding a second plugfest we can really drive forward the development of femtocell technology, providing valuable feedback to standards organizations and ensuring consistent interoperability between vendors' equipment.

"TRaC and the Femto Forum both see interoperability as integral to the successful uptake of femtocells. In order to address this need, the Forum created

TRaC celebrates top femtocell award

Karim Sharf, chief operating officer for TRaC Telecoms and Radio, has been awarded the Chairman's Awtard at the Femto Forum Femtocell Industry Awards 2010 in recognition of his work in driving forward the development of open and interoperable femtocell technology.

The Chairman's Award is presented to the individual that Simon Saunders, chair of the Femto Forum, feels has made the biggest contribution to the Forum and the wider femtocell industry. Simon commented: "Most of the Femto Forum’s work is driven by the efforts of individuals from within our member organisations and a huge number have contributed their time and skills to the Forum in the past year and all deserve my considerable thanks.

"However, one of our key goals we had in the last year was to make tangible progress towards our vision of an open, interoperable ecosystem for femtocells. To that end, in March we ran the first plugfest for UMTS femtocells, which was widely supported by over 20 vendors.  Karim Sharf was instrumental in supporting and coordinating that process and his level of contribution to the Forum's aims has been outstanding."

Karim Sharf is the vice chair of the interoperability testing special interest group (IOT SIG) and

TRaC reaffirms relationship with Motorola

TRaC has announced it is to continue its long-standing relationship with Motorola.

Motorola's NBBS remote device software device management platform is used by TRaC - whose testing services include telecommunications, DSL and radio - to test Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) that utilizes the Broadband Forum's TR-069 specification and ensure interoperability.

Alan Lefkof, corporate vice president and general manager of Motorola Mobile Devices and Home, commented: "We are pleased that TRaC continues to rely on our NBBS software platform to perform industry leading interoperability testing - TRaC's reputation, dedication and expertise in the testing and compliance industry are excellent."

"By continuing our work together we are able to carry on providing CPE vendors with a testing platform that can validate their compliance to the important TR-069 specification."

Motorola's NBBS Auto Configuration Server (ACS) was developed specifically to meet the TR-069 requirements that broadband service providers often insist CPE vendors adhere to.

Paul Russell, managing director of TRaC Telecoms and Radio, commented: "Motorola's NBBS platform was the perfect system choice to power our TR-069 testing service."

"As Motorola continues to enhance its NBBS platform and we are pleased to be able to provide the

TRaC completes testing programs with Realtek

Less than a year after moving its US test operation to its UK headquarters, TRaC has completed a comprehensive testing program for Realtek Semiconductor.

TRaC is accredited by the USA's two largest broadband service providers to carry out DSL testing. This latest set of testing demonstrates that a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) containing Realtek's ADSL2+ chipset has successfully completed the TR-067 and TR-100 test program requirements for the multiple DSLAMs deployed in North America.

Jessy Chen, vice president from Realtek Semiconductor Corp, commented: "Passing these TRaC testing programs and receiving this accreditation has proved valuable for our business. By successfully completing these tests, our devices may be qualified by major telco carriers to further expand our broadband business in North America. We have worked with TRaC for a number of years and have always had a quick and efficient service from them."

TRaC opened its expanded flagship DSL test facility at its Hull, UK headquarters in November last year following a re-location from its Santa Clara operation. The laboratory is now the most advanced and comprehensive independent DSL testing facility anywhere in the world.

Paul Russell, managing director of

TRaC ready with equipment - test programme for LPPV

TRaC has announced that it has assembled a suite of services that is now ready to be accessed by any company developing electronic products for use in the Ministry of Defence’s Light Protected Patrol Vehicle (LPPV) programme.

TRaC is equipped to provide a range of testing services, notably in areas such as Safety and EMC (Electro-Magnetic Compatibility). The company already works closely with Millbrook Proving Ground, where vehicles are tested in respect of their mobility against a Battlefield Mission (BFM), and has established procedures to schedule programmes of testing in both arenas.

The LPPV programme, which aims to provide the Services with a new vehicle that will offer greatly increased protection to small, highly mobile teams, was defined in 2008 and is now at the stage of evaluation of initial vehicle offerings from multiple manufacturers. When it enters service, LPPV can be expected to carry an ever-increasing electronic-equipment payload in categories including communications, surveillance and electronic counter-measures. Only comprehensive testing to a demanding specification can provide the assurance that systems will operate – and inter-operate – with total reliability when called on to do so. TRaC has demonstrated over many years that it can

TRaC Opens Largest Test Facility in North West of England

TRaC announces a major expansion of its operations in the North West of England. The company today opened a new 15,000 sq. ft. centre of excellence in Up Holland, Lancashire, making it the largest commercial facility in the North.

The test facility is the only one of its kind in the North West of England that places a comprehensive testing service within easy travelling range for customers in the region. TRaC is already the biggest British test and certification company and the new facility strengthens the company's presence in the North, complementing the existing Hull facility that is the largest in the North East.

TRaC has invested more than £1 million in the new Lancashire location which has been supported by the North West Regional Development Agency. The company is currently hiring for key positions and plans a second wave of recruitment later this year to support the anticipated growth of its existing business in the region.

TRaC provides a testing service that ensures and certifies that its clients' products comply with EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) regulations; wireless, radio and telecoms standards; and environmental and

Four Things You Need to Know About Seismic Testing

The number of companies contacting me to enquire about Earthquake Testing has increased this year. Although most of the work is related to increased activity at the Nuclear Power Generating sites - such as the developments at Sellafield - I've also seen an increase in the number of enquiries from UK companies supplying overseas. Earthquake Qualification Testing often causes consternation for the equipment suppliers who may be familiar with Vibration Testing, but often have little or no experience of the Earthquake Testing.

Why are there so many emissions standards?

Keeping up to date with standards in any industry is a challenge but the EMC industry doesn't help itself with so many standards all covering essentially the same thing. There are at least six common emissions standards based on international CISPR standards covering household, industrial, information technology, lighting and broadcast receiver products. In addition to these basic standards there are industry specific standards which make reference to the basic ones, resulting in 30-40 possible standards that a manufacturer can choose from.

What's the difference between the UL and MET Listed Marks?

The UL and MET marks both indicate that the product has met the minimum requirements of the applicable [USA] safety standards. Additionally, both marks validate the product's continued compliance to these standards as evidenced by periodic factory follow-up inspections.

EX-cellent CE marking

EX product certification for Europe is governed by the ATEX equipment directive 94/9/EC under the European Commission's new-approach (CE marking) regime and is one of several directives or requirements relevant to equipment for potentially explosive atmospheres. Manufacturers may also have to consider the design, documentation, manufacturing and quality system implications for EMC, machinery safety, electrical safety and radio/telecoms compliance before applying the CE mark.

2010 brings in new CE requirements, set out in Council Decision 768/2008. The Decision also sets out restriction, prohibition and recall provisions for persistent non-compliance in equipment safety or supporting documentation. The Decision is likely to be applied, within twelve months, to all current directives.

In addition to regulatory aspects, functional (e.g. radio/telecoms) and/or environmental performance criteria (e.g. vibration, shock, wind, rain) may apply. TRaC provides notified body, certification body and testing laboratory services for these complementary directives, from its seven UK sites.