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基于NI毫米波收发仪系统和Virginia Diodes射频头构建而成的6G研究测试平台
新闻发布 — 2019年9月30日 — 美国国家仪器(National Instruments)是一家以软件为中心的平台供应商，致力于帮助用户加速自动化测试和自动测量系统的开发和性能，该公司今日发布了用于6G研究的实时sub THz软件无线电(SDR)，该平台基于NI毫米波收发仪系统(MTS)和Virginia Diodes (VDI)射频头构建而成。
MTS使用VDI射频头，其频率范围可以扩展到sub THz范围。该测试平台使用SDR和FPGA构建，因此可以对软件进行升级和自定义，以满足广泛的研究需求和应用。用户可以利用现有的软件参考设计进行信道探测，还可以利用无线通信协议创建用于6G研究的实时测试平台。
典型无线标准的开发周期约为10年。由于5G的商业推广已于2019年开始，无线通信研究人员已经在研究可为6G奠定基础的技术和想法。sub THz和THz频率可以用于多种通信应用，并且在可预见的将来可能会成为6G研究的主要领域。
“由于5G逐渐成为主流，因此必须对毫米波和亚毫米波频段进行更深层次的通信研究。目前看来，D频段俨然已经成为新的E频段。”VDI首席运营官Gerhard Schoenthal说道，
“研究人员需要使用sub THz测试台来为众多无线用例开发原型。这些测试台必须高度灵活，而且还必须提供最先进的性能，才能在极高频率下充分探索和挖掘无线技术的极限。”NI无线研究总监James Kimery表示，“NI MTS与VDI射频头相结合，为探索sub THz和THz频谱以及相关应用创造了一个极好的平台，有助于推动6G技术相关的创新。”
NI MTS提供了模块化的基带和IF组件，这些组件可与FPGA结合使用，构成最基本的OTA系统，同时也可进行扩展以创建具有多种数字信号处理能力的复杂MIMO系统。VDI射频头覆盖了sub THz范围内的多个频带。这两者相结合，组成了一个功能强大的测试平台来满足当今和未来6G研究的需求。
NI和VDI sub THz测试平台可提供高达2 GHz的瞬时带宽和110-170 GHz的频率范围。NI提供了两种基于NI MTS的软件参考设计：一种用于信道探测，另一种用于单载波物理层通信链路。信道探测参考设计主要用于单发射机和单接收机配置，帮助用户进行基本的信道探测测量，例如信道脉冲响应、到达时间和路径损耗。单载波物理层设计主要用于具有2 GHz实时带宽的SISO配置（最高4x4 MIMO配置）的系统。编码及其他所有信号处理都是在基本MTS系统的FPGA上实时进行。系统总吞吐量取决于帧结构和使用的通道数。使用默认帧结构时，典型的预期吞吐量为7.2 Gbps/通道。无论采用哪一种参考设计，用户都可以在软件前面板实时查看系统级性能。
Vector Network Analyzer Extenders
Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) Extenders - Summary of Specifications |
|||||||||
|
Waveguide Band
|
Frequency Coverage
(GHz)
|
Dynamic
Range
(BW=10Hz,dB)
|
Test Port Power
(dBm typical)
|
Stability |
Test Port Input Limit (estimate, dBm, damage)
TxRx, TxRef †
|
Directivity (dB) | |||
| Standard | Extended‡ |
Typical |
Minimum |
Magnitude (±dB) |
Phase
(±deg)
|
||||
| WR28 | 26-40 | - | 120 | 110 | 13 | 0.15 | 2 | 33 | 30 |
| WR19 | 40-60 | - | 120 | 105 | 13 | 0.15 | 2 | 31 | 30 |
| WR15 | 50-75 | 47-77 | 120 | 110 | 13 | 0.10 | 1.5 | 30 | 30 |
| WR12 | 60-90 | 55-95 | 120 | 110 | 18 | 0.10 | 1.5 | 30 | 30 |
| WR12 SE Option | 60-90 | 55-90 | 120 | 110 | 13 | 0.10 | 1.5 | 30 | 30 |
| WR10 | 75-110 | 67-115 | 120 | 110 | 18 | 0.10 | 1.5 | 30 | 30 |
|
WR10
SE Option
|
75-110 | 67-110 | 120 | 110 | -1 | 0.10 | 1.5 | 20 | 30 |
| WR8.0 | 90-140 | - | 120 | 110 | 16 | 0.15 | 2 | 30 | 30 |
| WR6.5 | 110-170 | - | 120 | 110 | 13 | 0.25 | 4 | 30 | 30 |
| WR5.1 | 140-220 | - | 120 | 110 | 6 | 0.25 | 4 | 30 | 30 |
| WR4.3 | 170-260 | - | 115 | 110 | 4 | 0.3 | 4 | 28 | 30 |
| WR3.4 | 220-330 | - | 115 | 105 | 1 | 0.3 | 6 | 26 | 30 |
| 260-400 | - | 100 | 80 | -10 | 0.5 | 6 | 16 | 30 | |
| 330-500 | 325-500 | 110 | 100 | -3 | 0.5 | 6 | 10 | 30 | |
| 500-750 | - | 100 | 80 | -25 | 0.4 | 4 | -3 | 30 | |
| 500-750 | - | 100 | 80 | -16 | 0.4 | 4 | -3 | 30 | |
| 750-1100 | - | 65 | 45 | -30 | 0.5 | 6 | -3 | 30 | |
| 750-1100 | - | 95* | 75* | -23 | 0.5 | 6 | -3 | 30 | |
|
WM-164
(WR0.65**)
|
1100-1500 | - | 60* | 40* | -45 | 1 | 20 | -3 | 30 |
*The dynamic range specifications assume that low phase sources are used, like those used in the modern Keysight PNA / PNA-X analyzers
with DDS synthesizers. While compatible, other VNAs may reduce dynamic range.
**WM164 (WR0.65) performance is specified for a TxRx-Rx configuration. Performance of a TxRx-TxRx configuration is estimated to have a
~15 dB degradation of dynamic range and may additionally require the use of a mmWave controller.
†Test Port Input Powers exceeding the peak Test Port Power of the TxRx or TxRef module will compress the module.
General Notes:
Extension modules are compatible with all modern VNAs. Please consult with VDI to discuss VNA and module configurations that will yield the best performance for your application.
Technical Notes:
1. Test Port Power is typical, reduced power is possible at band edges.
2. Stability is specified for 1 hour after system warm-up, in stable environment with ideal cables.
3. Specifications assume a through measurement with two TxRx heads.
4. Specifications are measured on a Keysight PNA/PNAX with front panel connection at 25°C typical.
5. The dynamic range (RBW 10 Hz) is measured by first connecting two TxRx heads together and normalizing the un-calibrated S21 & S12. The heads are then disconnected and terminated with a waveguide short. The rms of the measured S21 & S12 give the system dynamic range.
6. Typical Module Dimensions exclude testport (2" standard testport for all modules except WM250 (WR1.0), where a 1" testport is used)
‡Where noted, Extended Frequency Coverage applies; module performance within the standard band conforms to standard specifications while performance in the extended regions can be degraded as follows:
-The minimum and typical dynamic range is degraded by 10dB or less, compared to the specification for the standard band.
-The test port power typical across the extended band is degraded by 5 dB or less compared to the specification for the standard band.
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