Anritsu has expanded the testing capabilities of its MT8862A Wireless Connectivity Test Set with new radio-frequency (RF) evaluation options for Wi-Fi 8 and Bluetooth Low Energy (LE).
The software-based additions allow engineers to assess the RF performance of both wireless technologies using a single measurement platform, potentially reducing development time and simplifying test environments.
The update comes as Wi-Fi 8, also known as IEEE 802.11bn, progresses towards formal standardisation, which is expected to be completed in 2028. The next-generation standard is being developed to improve connection reliability and reduce latency, with potential applications in AI-enabled devices, robotics, and other systems that require consistent wireless connectivity.
At the same time, the growing use of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in connected devices, including smartphones, wearables, and Internet of Things (IoT) equipment, is increasing demand for test systems capable of evaluating both technologies.
The MT8862A supports RF transmit and receive measurements throughout the development process, from initial design and verification to production quality evaluation.
The latest software options extend its capabilities to Wi-Fi 8 and Wi-Fi 7, including support for channel bandwidths of up to 320 MHz and 4096-QAM modulation. The platform also supports Wi-Fi 6E across all three frequency bands, alongside earlier WLAN standards, including IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac.
Existing MT8862A users can access the new testing capabilities through software upgrades, without having to purchase an additional measurement system.
The platform also supports Network Mode, which establishes a connection with the device under test and measures RF performance while it is operating. Testing can be conducted through a wired connection or over the air (OTA) using the device’s antenna.
Engineers can measure parameters including transmit power, modulation accuracy, and receiver sensitivity across individual data rates. This allows wireless performance to be assessed under operating conditions and helps identify potential causes of communication problems.
Alongside its expanded WLAN capabilities, the MT8862A supports RF testing for Bluetooth LE devices in accordance with the physical-layer (RF PHY) test specifications defined by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG).
The functionality enables engineers to verify Bluetooth communication performance and investigate potential RF-related issues during device development.
By combining Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE evaluation on one platform, Anritsu aims to simplify wireless device testing as manufacturers increasingly integrate multiple connectivity technologies into a single product.
The new evaluation options are available as software additions for the MT8862A Wireless Connectivity Test Set.
