Agilent Technologies has introduced its first software which will make it possible to decode  MIPI RF front-end protocol packets used in 3G and 4G LTE designs, on oscilloscopes.

The MIPI interface is used to connect RF devices such as power amplifiers, switches, power management modules, antenna tuners and sensors.

It is also used as a standard interface for proposed envelope tracking circuits which are likely to be used in 4G LTE mobile systems.

The interface uses a relatively high bus-clock frequency of 26 MHz and introduces accurate triggering mechanisms to allow control of timing-critical functions in multiple devices.

As a result a performance scope is needed. 

Agilent's N8824A MIPI RFFE protocol decoder is designed to run on Infiniium 9000A and 9000 H-Series oscilloscopes as well as the 90000A, 90000 X- and 90000 Q-Series.

It decodes protocol packets for the MIPI RFFE v1.10 specification.

"As RFFE technology has been more widely adopted, we have received numerous requests from customers for a tool to decode RFFE packets," said Jay Alexander, vice president and general manager of Agilent's Oscilloscope Products Division.