Columbia, MD set 15, 2020

R&S Cable Rider ZPH paired with SkyBridge Tools reduces base-station testing time and costs significantly

The SkyBridge Tools test manager system now supports the R&S Cable Rider ZPH for on-site base-station testing and RF network analysis. Technicians using the low-cost analyzer from Rohde & Schwarz in combination with SkyBridge Tools can reduce the time associated with testing and verifying distributed antenna systems (DAS) by as much as 90%.

Rohde & Schwarz USA, Inc. has engaged with SkyBridge Services in the United States to simplify distributed antenna system (DAS) installation and maintenance. Supported by the SkyBridge cloud-based test management tools, the R&S Cable Rider ZPH is factory calibrated to provide fast, efficient and accurate cable and antenna measurements up to 4 GHz. Operated via a user-friendly touch-screen interface, the R&S Cable Rider ZPH has all the essential measurement capabilities required for installing and maintaining cable and antenna systems in the field, including DTF, return loss, VSWR and cable loss measurements, S21 measurements, spectrum and interference analysis, and AM/FM/ASK/FSK demodulation.

With a simple connection over a third-party wireless router, on-site base station and RF network testing data is sent to the SkyBridge cloud to further simplify testing procedures. The rugged, small form factor R&S Cable Rider ZPH has a lightweight design that makes the analyzer easy to carry, even in harsh and difficult-to-reach environments. Combining the fastest boot and sweep times on the market with the SkyBridge Tool, the R&S Cable Rider ZPH offers the fastest measurement time in the industry.

SkyBridge is a patented, site-centric, cloud-based enterprise application that enables the uploading of radio frequency tests conducted by the R&S Cable Rider ZPH within seconds. This enables online viewing of any site tests and the qualified passing/failing of results, as well as automated markups and the placement of limit lines and markers. Users can also upload critical documentation pertaining to the site in question, enabling online viewing by all qualified agents.

In addition, the SkyBridge Photos application enables site technicians to shoot images and immediately send them to the cloud, integrating them into the system, and custom reports, tailored toward client specifications. The SkyBridge technology used with the R&S Cable Rider ZPH offers a centralized location for collecting and sharing critical wireless installation data.

The system also features an on-demand, one-click closeout package application in PDF format, bringing all testing data, documentation, reports and photos together into a single, transportable file.

Pete Alexander, Manager of Mobile Network Test North America at Rohde & Schwarz, said: “When it comes to reducing time and overall costs in a network testing environment, the R&S Cable Rider ZPH used with the SkyBridge Tools is the ideal solution for collecting critical site test data and then aggregating that data with other data sources for easy and time saving analysis and reporting.”

Two different R&S Cable Rider ZPH models are available to suit different needs: a pure one-port cable and antenna analyzer and a two-port model with additional spectrum analysis and tracking generator features. The free R&S®MobileView app and R&S®InstrumentView software allow for flexible remote controlling of the device.

For additional information on the R&S Cable Rider ZPH, go to: https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/product/zph-productstartpage_63493-363457.html

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Rohde & Schwarz

Rohde & Schwarz is striving for a safer and connected world with its Test & Measurement, Technology Systems and Networks & Cybersecurity Divisions. For over 90 years, the global technology group has pushed technical boundaries with developments in cutting-edge technologies. The company's leading-edge products and solutions empower industrial, regulatory and government customers to attain technological and digital sovereignty. The privately owned, Munich based company can act independently, long-term and sustainably. Rohde & Schwarz generated net revenue of EUR 2.93 billion in the 2023/2024 fiscal year (July to June). On June 30, 2024, Rohde & Schwarz had more than 14,400 employees worldwide.

R&S® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.

About SkyBridge

Founded in 2001 as SweepMasters LLC, SkyBridge Services has constantly been at the forefront of ancillary wireless productivity services, pioneering a number of tools that help their clients to save time and money, as well as providing unparalleled accuracy in test data processing, effortless cataloguing and secure, intra-organizational distribution.