Wireless Channel Emulator for Multi-Antenna Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing channel emulators are inadequate for testing multi-antenna devices, particularly those with large antenna arrays in millimeter wave (mmW) systems, due to difficulties in connecting multiple cables, high signal attenuation, and the need for costly RF chains, which limits experimentation with new RF front-end designs.
Innovation Solution
A wireless emulator that simulates a channel and emulates portions of the RF front-end, allowing for baseband signal exchange between devices under test (DUTs) and enabling real-time configuration and emulation of various beamforming modes, including analog, hybrid, and digital, using programmable finite impulse response (FIR) filters and a controller to program these filters based on channel and antenna configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cables are used to connect channel emulator to multi-antenna devices, then testing capability is improved, but connection difficulty and signal attenuation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the RF front-end functionality from the physical hardware and implements it in the baseband domain using digital signal processing. This eliminates the need for multiple RF cables and associated signal attenuation problems while maintaining the ability to test multi-antenna devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a baseband emulator as an intermediary that performs RF front-end functions in the digital domain. This mediator converts physical RF signal transmission problems into digital baseband signal processing, eliminating cable-related attenuation while preserving testing capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If multiple RF chains are used for multi-antenna testing, then testing accuracy is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the RF front-end in the digital baseband domain. Instead of requiring multiple physical RF chains, the system digitally replicates RF functionality, maintaining testing accuracy while dramatically reducing hardware cost and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical RF chain system with a digital baseband processing system. This substitution maintains the functional equivalent of multiple RF chains for accurate multi-antenna testing while eliminating the high cost and complexity of multiple physical RF pathways.
3Reliability
If physical RF front-ends are fabricated for testing, then device performance is improved, but development time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary testing and validation in the baseband domain before physical RF front-end fabrication. This allows developers to verify device performance and make design adjustments without committing to physical manufacturing, significantly reducing development time and iterative costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic reconfiguration of RF front-end parameters in the digital baseband domain. This allows performance optimization and design exploration without physical fabrication, providing flexibility and reducing the time required to achieve optimal device performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Device and method can be provided for emulating a system which includes a wireless channel, a wireless transmitter, and a wireless receiver. For example, with an emulation processor, it is possible to receive baseband data, process the received baseband data, and transmit the processed baseband data. Further, with a controller, it is possible to receive configuration information pertaining to the wireless channel, the wireless transmitter, and the wireless receiver to be emulated; and configure the emulation processor according to the received configuration information.