Kurth Electronic

Upgrading Telecommunications Testing for the Future

Kurth Electronic (now under GMC-Instruments), a leading telecom equipment manufacturer, sought to enhance its product line while simplifying field engineers' work. The main challenge lay in upgrading the software for their all-in-one tester, the KE3700 Multitester. The goal was to ensure compatibility with all common broadband services, protocols and transports, and to transition from the older Qt 4 based software platform to the newer Qt 5. This was to leverage new features, bug fixes, and software optimizations available in the latest release. However, Kurth needed a reliable platform, a custom Linux operating system, and a common development core to facilitate the creation of future devices in the most straightforward way possible.

Tailored solutions and innovative features

KDAB, known for its leading role in software development with Qt, was brought on board to assist with this ambitious project. KDAB engineers began by porting the multitester's codebase from Qt 4 to Qt 5. This process involved reorganizing modules and restructuring the build system followed by resolving bugs and implementing optimizations to improve the overall performance.

Additionally, KDAB developed a system allowing Kurth engineers to create firmware variants programmatically using a simple text-based configuration file. This feature expedited the product's turnaround time and facilitated the maintenance of their rapid development schedule.

KDAB also added distinguishing features for the new product line. A standout feature was a method allowing technicians to bypass manual copying of test results from the multitester’s display. This was achieved through the display of a QR code on the device encapsulating the test results. A mobile app that could read these QR codes and process the results was also created, making it easier for both Android and iOS platforms.

Outcome: enhanced productivity and market position

The collaboration between Kurth and KDAB resulted in a solid software foundation for the Multitester product line. The unique QR code feature was such a success that Kurth has applied for a patent on it, further strengthening their standing as a leading provider of broadband-testing tools.

The improvements initiated by KDAB enabled Kurth to stay ahead of their competition. More importantly, these enhancements have made technicians more productive, aligning with Kurth's primary goal of streamlining telecom fieldwork with creativity and cost-effectiveness. Through this partnership, Kurth continues to be at the pinnacle of telecommunications innovation.

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