In this paper the benefits of using a UMTS FDD physical layer compliant library for rapid prototyping and system modelling are presented. The paper also emphasises the use of this library for practical training. In order to illustrate these benefits three examples of common 3G structures and concepts are presented, implemented and studied: hybrid phase shift keying (HPSK) modulation; adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR) measurement; and a downlink reference measurement channel. A series of software simulation models associated with these examples are available for download from the world wide web.