The MD8480B has a full lineup of advanced test functions that include mobile station modulation and demodulation processing, protocol sequence tests (such as location registration, origination, termination), handover (option), and disconnection from mobile station/network. Various applications tests such as voice and packet communications, as well as communications between two mobile stations, are possible.

With the GSM frequency hopping option MX848001A-05, frequency hopping is implemented in the GSM communication channel in 4.62 ms frame cycles. The W-CDMA CSD function option MX848001A-06 adds CSD dedicated layers and enables testing of asynchronous and non-transparent modes at the rates of 14.4k, 28.8k, and 57.6kbps. The MX848055A Network Simulation Library Platform and the test cases (MX848055A-01 NSL Scenario Basic Pack and MX848055A-02 NSL Scenario Advanced Pack) enable interoperability verification between a W-CDMA 3G mobile UE and a 3G network.

MD8480B can be used as a stand-alone base station simulator, or used with the optional MX785201A Protocol Test System (PTS) software for protocol testing. The MX786201A W-CDMA Rapid Test Designer (RTD) is a revolutionary new tool that operates with the MD8480B to speed up the testing of W-CDMA devices significantly by greatly simplifying the way tests are created, executed, and analyzed.