As cellular phones continue to evolve, so does their functionality. Modern cellular phones are no longer known for just voice communication, but also as hardware that delivers digital media to the user. As a result, today’s mobile phones act as portable media devices such as MP3 players, internet browsers, streaming video players, and digital cameras. Perhaps one of the most important functions of phones today is data throughput. Whether a user is downloading a new ring tone, watching the latest news broadcast over streaming video, or checking their e-mail, the transmission of data is and will be an important feature for all current and next generation phones.
With the increase in demand for faster data transfers in wireless devices, research and development (R&D) teams are constantly finding ways to get more out of their cellular devices. As a result, these designers may find it advantageous to obtain a means of measuring the data transfer rates during the R&D process to ensure their phones can live up to the escalating standards of a competitive market.