Modular Tester Performs 5G Channel Sounding

Keysight Technologies has developed a test system for channel sounding, with the capability of generating the different waveforms and measuring propagation effects that will represent the performance levels experienced by 5G waveforms. The 5G Channel Sounding Reference Solution test system incorporates a number of multichannel wideband PXI and AXIe test instrument modules—as well as standard rack-mount instruments and application-specific test software—to optimize speed, multichannel capability, and accuracy of the test system.

The 5G Channel Sounding Reference Solution (see figure) blends advanced signal generation resources with high-resolution analysis capabilities to study Doppler shifts, channel loss and distortion, and other propagation effects. It packs both PXI and AXIe function modules into a mainframe enclosure, including a model M9703A AXIe wideband digitizer and model M9362A PXI quad downconverter module.

In addition, it assists the hardware with powerful control and waveform generation software, providing the measurement power and flexibility needed for characterizing 5G systems and their channels. According to Mario Narduzzi, marketing manager for Keysight’s Software and Modular Solutions Division, “Our 5G channel sounding Reference Solution enables customers to accelerate 5G research and reaffirms our commitment to support them through the evolution from 4G to 5G technology.”

The several PXI and AXIe instrument modules within the 5G Channel Sounding Reference Solution provide full-sized performance levels in a fraction of the size of conventional benchtop instruments. For example, the model M9703A AXIe receiver/digitizer processes input signals from DC to 2 GHz at sampling rates to 3.2 GSamples/s. The eight-channel digitizer features 12-b resolution, armed with four Virtex-6 field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) from Xilinx. The digitizer, which is well suited for analyzing multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) channels and components, is scalable to more channels; it can process real-time bandwidths as wide as 1 GHz.

The model M9362A PXI quad downconverter module operates from 10 MHz to 26.5, 40.0, and 50.0 GHz. The model M8190A arbitrary waveform generator provides 14-b resolution at sampling rates to 8 GSamples/s and 12 b resolution at sampling rates to 12 GSamples/s. It can operate at sampling rates from 125 MSamples/s to 8 or 12 GSamples/s. It provides a spurious-free dynamic range (SPDR) of typically -90 dBc and harmonic distortion of typically -72 dBc.

The channel sounder also includes a model N5183B MXG microwave analog signal generator and a model E8267D PSG 100-kHz-to-44-GHz vector signal generator (VSG), with a generous assortment of measurement software, including the model 89600 VSA software and the model M9099 Waveform Creator software. With its generous collection of signal sources, the test system can handle generation and analysis of systems with wide channel bandwidths at carrier frequencies to 44 GHz.

The M9099 Waveform Creator is a modular software application that employs a drag-and-drop graphical user interface (GUI). It can be used to create the complex baseband and vector signals that will be used in these 5G research. Engineers can also utilize Keysight’s SystemVue system level design and simulation software platform, ideal for calculating channel parameter estimations and performing link-level simulations and validation of new 5G designs with the imported channel models. The complex test signals will help system developers experiment with different signals types and propagation conditions when evaluating different channel design approaches for 5G systems.

The modular architecture of this test system provides the flexibility to add channels as 5G systems develop and expand. The strong software basis for generating test signals allows the system to adapt test signals to required measurement conditions. 

Keysight Technologies, Inc., 1400 Fountaingrove Pkwy., Santa Rosa, CA 95403; (707) 577-2663