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CWLab Throughput Certification Test #201: Questions Answered The Throughput Certification Test #201 begins this month. Results will become available starting January 2005. Vendors who still want to submit their equipment for testing should contact cwu@cwlab.com

Purpose:	CWLab Test #201 is an independent rating scale of 1 to 10 that "certifies" for the consumer one of the most commonly asked questions about radio products: "What is the REAL throughput of xyz radio platform?"

Procedure:	A scale of 1 to 10 is score on a product based on the percentage accuracy of "real-world" ftp throughput measured. The scale is in direct proportion to the % accuracy of the "CWLab Throughput Measure" vs. Marketing Vendor Data Rates. A corollary score of "a" or "b" is administered to rate the "expected stability" of the product's throughput. This score is directly related to the % stability of the product platform in bidirectional traffic - if the product performs within 10% of what would be reasonably expected (defined as down only = 90-100% of expected down, up only = 90-100% of expected up, and bidirectional = 90-100% of bidirectional (in the case of a-TDD, we'd expect 50/50, in the case of f-TDD, we'd expect the preset ratio: e.g., 60/40, 50/50, etc), then it would receive an "a" rating. Otherwise, it would receive a "b" rating.

Q: Why aren't you planning on conducting your testing with industry standard tools such as smartbits? A: The main purpose of Test #201 is to create a "REAL WORLD" certification that is useful and understandable to operators and consumers alike. The purpose of Test #201 is to certify the real throughput or data transfer speed of a particular solution. The average consumers views "real throughput" in terms of data (FTP) transfer rates. This method of measure should put the "real throughput" fairly close, but slightly less, than a honestly rated (via smartbits) line speed. Q: Are you going to let 2nd parties validate your "tested claims" A: We will post all of our testing methodologies and results online for everyone to see making it fairly easy for 2nd parties to verify the "accuracy" of our testing. Q: Will your testing take into consideration the effects of distance on radio performance? A: In the interest of K.I.S.S., the Test #201 will be performed in a "best-case" environment (no interferencec, good solid signal). We will address the issue of distance and other factors in future tests/benchmarks/standards that we plan on performing. Q: I have some additional questions/comments/concerns about Test #201... A: We have created an online forum where you can post additional questions/comments/concerns about Test #201. Testing Details Discussion Forum

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