Test & Measurement     10/06/2007

Rohde & Schwarz offers one-box solution for MIMO receiver tests

R&S AMU200A

Rohde & Schwarz is adding MIMO test capability to its R&S SMU200A and R&S AMU200A signal generators. Each generator offers two signal sources and an internal fading simulator

Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) is an effective technique for boosting data rates. It is used in modern mobile radio and other wireless standards. Rohde & Schwarz is therefore adding MIMO test capability to its R&S SMU200A and R&S AMU200A signal generators. Each generator offers two signal sources and an internal fading simulator. With the R&S SMU-K74 or R&S AMU-K74 option added, each generator combines, in a single unit, all functionality required for measurements on MIMO receivers.

Rohde & Schwarz presented the beta version of this unique solution for the first time at WiMAX World Europe. The steadily growing demands placed on the capacity and performance of wireless networks are driving the development of new mobile radio and other wireless standards. Users expect rapid upload and download of information at high transmission quality. Standards such as 3GPP Release 7, 3GPP LTE/EUTRA, WLAN 802.11n, or WiMAX therefore use the MIMO multiple antenna technique, which employs several antennas at the receiver and the transmitter end. Crosstalk between antennas considerably impairs transmission quality. This special form of multipath propagation must therefore be appropriately taken into account in channel simulation.

A typical MIMO system is a 2x2 system, for example, which contains two receiving and two transmitting antennas. A 2x2 MIMO test setup normally requires two signal generators and a fading simulator. The new options for the Rohde & Schwarz R&S SMU200A high-end signal generator and R&S AMU200A baseband generator enable measurements on 2x2 MIMO receivers by means of a single unit. The R&S SMU200A and the R&S AMU200A can optionally be equipped with a second RF path or baseband path and an internal fading simulator. With the R&S SMU-K74 or R&S AMU-K74 MIMO option installed, each generator simulates up to four fading channels. This unique one-box solution saves users not only space and cost, but also does away with the need for cabling and synchronization as well as level adjustment between signal generators and fading simulator. Plus, it offers a straightforward user interface for convenient operation.

For more information on MIMO receiver tests, read :
From SISO to MIMO – taking advantage of everything the air interface offers