New generation RF/based frequency VST brings new requirements for 5G testing

The 5G NR standard (non-independent version) is expected to be finalized at the end of the year. The relevant operators can't wait to test and deploy, but in the face of 5G, more complex radio frequency (RF) testing needs and challenges are expected, and it is expected to be in research and development. A wave of testing instruments was set up at the room and the production line. National Instruments (NI) has announced the introduction of a second-generation vector signal transceiver (VST) baseband version that supports I/Q demodulation bandwidth up to 1 GHz and can be used with RF version VST modules to help operators overcome the toughest RF of 5G. Challenges such as front-end modules and transceiver testing. Raajit Lall, senior product manager of National Instruments, pointed out that 5G mobile communication has greatly increased the bandwidth to 1GHz, and introduced the millimeter wave (mmWave) band, plus new modulation technology and algorithms, as well as various new wireless standards and specifications. Innovative, making it more complex, but also challenging the ability of semiconductor design and integration. On the other hand, traditional test instruments are not able to respond to 5G's complex and rigorous testing requirements, whether it is the production line or the laboratory is looking for new test equipment, thus driving the test market replacement needs. To this end, NI's platform strategy is to provide an RF stand-alone solution that supports multiple wireless standards for lab and volume production testing. Following last year's release of the latest VST, the PXIe-5840, NI's latest baseband version of the VST, the PXIe-5820, also features dual-slot PXI modules and supports up to 1GHz bandwidth for generating and analyzing 5G signals. Various wireless standards such as 802.11ax provide testing of transceivers, RF front-end modules, and power amplifiers (PAs). According to Raajit Lall, "Baseband VST can be used with RF VST for close synchronization of accuracy in nanoseconds, and digital RF and baseband I/Q for wireless chipsets through digital predistortion and packet tracking. Test. Connect PXIe-5820 to baseband or IQ, PXIe-5840 to RF, test and analyze IQ, RF transceiver and front-end module with up to 1GHz input and output. For RF front-end testing such as PA The PXIe-5820 can generate high-frequency wide packets for the PA module, and the PXIe-5840 performs PA performance tests." The industry is pushing the fixed wireless access (FWA) as the last link to connect mobile phones, but the chip industry suffers. The complete RF/fundamental VST solution is expected to perform optimally when integrating MIMO and beam forming in mobile phone ICs. Raajit Lall explains, "For small chip designs that must integrate 64 antenna arrays for both millimeter and fundamental frequencies, it is no longer possible to stack multiple conventional box instruments to meet multi-channel requirements, while the NI PXIe-5820 offers 1GHz 5G. The IO required by NR, combined with the PXIe-5840 and the up/down converter for MIMO and millimeter wave testing, overcomes the challenges of beamforming and phase synchronization testing.” To match VST hardware, NI developed waveform generation software. Waveform Creator, through the GUI for the rapid development of a variety of wave-aggregation (CA) signals or 802.11ax for the latest wireless technologies such as LTE-A/Pro, the number of signal playback is also not authorized. In addition, the PXIe-5820 can be used with the NIRFmx measurement software and NI-CLK patented technology for analysis at the receiving end. RFmx helps to quickly detect multi-standard debug and provides optimal dynamic range testing. NI T-CLK accurately synchronizes RF packet tracking and baseband hardware measurements, while analyzing five LTE signals for demodulation up to 256QAM Signal and best EVM performance and test speed of -50db. Raajit Lall also emphasized that NI continues to build the smallest VST module, providing the best EVM and transmission performance in a footprint of only four PXI chassis. "The PXIe-5820/5840 is a compact form factor that can accommodate up to 8 different configurations of RF or baseband VST in an 18-slot chassis, up to 1GHz bandwidth for embedded MIMO systems, or LTE, 5G or Wi- Fi applications are configured with different RF/baseband VST combinations. The modular design also allows existing narrowband VST customers to upgrade directly without having to change the entire system. Once 3GPP passed the non-independent 5G NR at the end of this year and then incorporated into the millimeter-wave band, Raajit Lall emphasized that "NI is ready for this, and the 1GHz technology for customer equipment is also ready, and can be extended in the future. Millimeter wave test."