IBflex ®

In-Building and Outdoor Network Testing

Scanning Receiver | 10 MHz – 6 GHz

The PCTEL® IBflex scanning receiver combines portability and accuracy with the power to test multiple
technologies and bands simultaneously. It can be used to deploy 5G New Radio networks in sub-6 GHz
spectrum, verify public safety coverage, optimize dense small cell deployments, and improve the reliability
of IoT systems. Low power consumption and a hot-swap battery system make the IBflex scanner a
convenient tool for a long day of walk testing or interference hunting.

Bands Technologies Features

• 5G: 3GPP FR1 • 5G NR • CDMA • 4G/5G Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS)
• All existing 2G, 3G, and 4G • LTE FDD • EV-DO • 2x2 and 4x2 LTE MIMO measurements
• CBRS • TD-LTE • Wi-Fi • Hot-swap battery system
• Public safety • NB-IoT • LAA • Windows® laptop and Android™
• Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz) • UMTS • P25 tablet support
• Other bands currently • GSM • DMR • Connect with Bluetooth® or USB
deployed around the world • Blind Scan for automatic
Custom Channel Power channel detection
Measurements for additional
technologies (TETRA, etc.)
IBflex ® Specifications
5G New Radio (NR)
Measurement modes NR TopN Signal: Synchronization channels (P-SS/S-SS) & PBCH, Blind Scan
Data modes PCI, PSS-RP [dBm], SSS-RP [dBm], PSS-RQ [dB], SSS-RQ [dB], SS-CINR [dB], SSS-CINR [dB],
RSPBCH-RP [dBm], RSPBCH-RQ [dB], RSPBCH-CINR [dB], SSB-RP [dBm], SSB-RQ [dB],
SSB-CINR [dB], SSB-idx, SSB-RSSI, SSS-Delay Spread, Time Offset
Sub carrier spacing 15/30 kHz
Max. number of channels 12
Max. number of beams/channel 8
Measurement rate (typical) 30/sec
Dynamic range (CINR) PSS/SSS CINR: -10 to +33 dB
PBCH DMRS CINR: -8 to + 40 dB
Min. detection level RP -132 dBm (SCS @15 kHz)
Relative accuracy (CINR) PSS/SSS, PBCH DMRS ±2 dB

LTE FDD and TD-LTE

Measurement modes Top N Synchronization Channel Reference Signal (P-SCH/S-SCH) and Resource Block
(Wideband, Subband), Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS), Layer 3 Reporting
Data modes RP, RQ, CINR, Cyclic Prefix, Time Offsets, Delay Spread;
MIMO: Condition Number, ECQI, EPUT
Channel bandwidths 1.4 / 3 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 MHz
Max. number of channels 24
Receive modes SISO; MIMO (2x2, 4x2)
Transmit antenna configurations 1, 2, 4 (with path measurement)
Measurement rates Sync Channel RS LTE FDD: 50/sec; TD-LTE: 25/sec
Dynamic range (CINR) @ 10/15/20 MHz RS -26 to + 40 dB
P-SCH/S-SCH -10 to +18 dB
Min. detection level P-SCH/S-SCH & RS -140 dBm (RSRP @ 15 MHz)
Relative accuracy (CINR) P-SCH/S-SCH & RS ±1 dB 

NB-IoT
Measurement modes Top N NRS (Narrowband Reference Signal), NPSS (Narrowband Primary Synchronization
Signal), and NSSS (Narrowband Secondary Synchronization Signal)
Data modes NRS: RP, RQ, RSSI, CINR, Time Offset; NPSS: RP, RQ, RSSI, CINR; NSSS: RP, RQ, RSSI, CINR,
Time Offset; Blind Scan
Operation mode In-Band, Guard Band, Stand-alone
Channel bandwidths 180 kHz
Measurement rates 190 ms
Dynamic range (CINR) NRS -10 to + 40 dB
Min. detection level NRS RP -138 dBm
Relative accuracy (CINR) NRS ±2 dB
Max. number of PCIs 16

UMTS [WCDMA/HSPA(+)]
Measurement modes Top N Pilot, Layer 3 Reporting, Blind Scan
Data modes lo, Ec/Io, Aggregate Ec/Io, SIR, Rake Finger Count, Time Offset, Delay Spread
Channel bandwidths 200 kHz / 3.84 MHz
Max. number of channels 24
Measurement rate 100/sec (high speed mode); 50/sec (high dynamic range mode)
Top N CPICH dynamic range (Ec/Io) -26 dB
Min. detection level -120 dBm (high dynamic range mode)
Relative accuracy ±1 dB
Max. number of PCIs 16

GSM
Measurement modes Color Code, Layer 3 Reporting, Blind Scan
Data modes BSIC, C/I, RSSI
Channel bandwidths 30 kHz / 200 kHz
Measurement rates Up to 200 BSIC Decodes/sec
Dynamic range +2 dB C/I
Min. basic detection level -110 dBm
Relative accuracy ±1 dB
Max. number of PCIs 16
IBflex ® Specifications
CDMA and EV-DO
Measurement modes Top N PN, Blind Scan
Data modes Ec, lo, Ec/Io, Aggregate Ec/Io, Pilot Delay, Delay Spread
Channel bandwidths 30 kHz / 1.25 MHz
Max. number of channels 24
Measurement rates CDMA: 25/sec; EV-DO: 18/sec
Top N PN dynamic range, Ec/Io CDMA: -28 dB; EV-DO: -18.5 dBm
Min. PN detection level CDMA: -130 dBm; EV-DO: -120 dBm
Relative accuracy (CINR) ±1 dB 

Wi-Fi
Wireless adapter ORiNOCO® USB-9100 (US), Asus USB-AC56 (world) or equivalent
Radio configuration 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Data modes Signal Strength, Noise Level, SNR, Channel Number, Channel Bandwidth, BSSID, Device Name,
SSID, Security Protocol, 802.11 Media, Beacon Interval, Channel Utilization, Throughput
Frequency range 2.4 - 2.483 GHz; 5.15 - 5.85 GHz (subject to country regulations)
Measurement rates 9/sec (typical); 5/sec (typical) for 802.11ac

LAA
Measurement mode QTopN
Data mode RSRP, RSRQ, RS-CINR, PSS-RQ, PSS- RP, PSS-CINR, SSS-RP, SSS-RQ, SSS-CINR
Channel bandwidth 20 MHz
Max. number of channels 24
Measurement rate (20MHz, 1 Sig) 6.25/sec
Dynamic range (CINR) -12 dB
Minimum detection level RSRP -130 dBM
Relative accuracy (CINR) RS-CINR ±1 dB (Input CINR 0 dB to +15 dB)

P25 (Phase 1 and Phase 2)

Measurement modes Decode, RSSI
Data modes SINR, RSSI, BER, Frame BER, Network ID, Auto Classification of Phase and Modulation Type
Channel bandwidths 12.5 kHz
Measurement rate 14 Decodes/sec (maximum)
7 Decodes/sec (typical)
100 RSSI/sec
Dynamic range (SINR) -1 dB minimum detection
Relative accuracy SINR ±1 dB over 8 to 25 dB; ±2 dB over 3 to 8 dB, 25 to 30 dB
Phase 1 C4FM and Phase 2 HDQPSK RSSI ±1 dB over -118 to -10 dBm
Adjacent channel rejection -110 dBm

DMR (Preliminary)
Measurement modes Decode, RSSI
Data modes SINR, RSSI, Frame BER
Channel bandwidths 12.5 kHz
Measurement rate 14 Decodes/sec (maximum)
7 Decodes/sec (typical)
100 RSSI/sec
Dynamic range (SINR) -1 dB minimum detection
Relative accuracy ±1 dB
Adjacent channel rejection -110 dBm

GPS
Type 56 channel internal receiver
Position accuracy ± 2.5 meters
Acquisition time Cold start: <30 sec; Hot start: <2 sec
Sensitivity (tracking) >-150 dBm
IBflex ® Specifications
Power Measurements
Accuracy ±1 dB (across basic RF input power range)
Dynamic range -120 to -20 dBm @ 30 kHz
RSSI 5G NR, LTE 11,050 ch/sec (maximum, continguous channels)
NB-IoT, UMTS, GSM 4,250 ch/sec (maximum, continguous channels)
CDMA, EV-DO 8,500 ch/sec (maximum, continguous channels)
Custom channel power (examples) 12.5 kHz (P25, DMR, EDACS, Analog LMR) 25,500 ch/sec (maximum, continguous channels)
25 kHz (TETRA, EDACS, Analog LMR) 14,025 ch/sec (maximum, continguous channels)
125 kHz (LoRa) 10,710 ch/sec (maximum, continguous channels)
250 kHz (LoRa) 8,925 ch/sec (maximum, continguous channels)
500 kHz (LoRa) 6,885 ch/sec (maximum, continguous channels)
Enhanced Power Scan (EPS™) 5 kHz to 20 MHz in 2.5 kHz increments 1,000 MHz/sec @ 5 MHz (typical)
Spectrum analysis Range: >90 dB >270 MHz/sec (single sweep)
LTE power analysis 1.3 / 3/ 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 MHz TD-LTE only 20 msec @ 5 MHz

RF Characteristics
Frequency range 10 MHz - 6 GHz
Internally generated spurious response -110 dBm (typical)
Conducted local oscillator - 75 dBm max.
RF operating range                                  In-Band - 15 dBm max.
Desensitization Adjacent channel >50 dB (CDMA/EV-DO)
Adjacent channel >55 dB (All other technologies)
Alternate channel >65 dB
Safe RF input range 10 dBm
Frequency accuracy ±0.05 ppm (GPS Locked); ±0.1 ppm (GPS unlocked)
Intermodulation-free dynamic range 2 tone (level 2) @ -40 dBm, 6 GHz, -68 dBc (typical),
-12.6 dBm TOI; @ -25 dBm, 6 GHz, -70 dBc (typical), 10 dBm TOI

Physical
Power switch Normal and Power Save
Maximum power (+9 to +17 VDC) 18W; Power Save: 10W
Size                                               Without battery pack 7.6” D x 4.4” W x 1.55” H (192 mm D x 111.8 mm W x 39.4 mm H)
With battery pack 10.1” D x 4.4” W x 2.1” H (257.6 mm D x 111.8 mm W x 53.1 mm H)
Weight                                           Without battery pack 2.4 lb (1.1 kg)
With battery pack 3.8 lb (1.7 kg)
Temperature range Operating: 0°C to +50°C; Storage: - 40°C to +85°C
Host data communications interface USB 2.0, Ethernet, Bluetooth®
Data storage SD (32 GB)
Antenna ports            RF: SMA Female (50Ω); GPS: Male (50Ω); Bluetooth: SMA Female (50Ω)
Safety (CE) EN 60950 -1
EMC EN 301 489-1
Shock and vibration MIL-STD-810G, SAE J1455
RoHS Compliant (6/6)

Supported bands, technologies, data modes, software features, and frequency ranges vary by scanning receiver configuration. Upgrades may be available for previously purchased
scanning receivers. Please contact a sales representative for more information.

Solving Complex RF Problems

PCTEL is a leading global provider of wireless technology, For more information about the IBflex scanning
including purpose-built antenna systems, Industrial IoT devices, receiver, contact your sales representative or visit
and test and measurement solutions. Trusted by our customers > pctel.com/scanning-receivers
for over 25 years, we solve complex wireless challenges to help
organizations stay connected, transform, and grow.

PCTEL, Inc.
T: +1 301 515 0036 | pctel.com | NASDAQ: PCTI

Specifications subject to change without notice. PCTEL®, IBflex®, and EPS™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of PCTEL, Inc. Windows® is
a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Android™ is a trademark of Google Inc. Bluetooth® is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG.
ORiNOCO® is a registered trademark of Proxim Wireless Corporation. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
©2019 PCTEL, Inc. All rights reserved. Rev L (November 2019)