Rohde & Schwarz has enhanced its R&S SMW200A high-end vector signal generator to include an option that permits developers of base stations and mobile devices to simulate a large number of complex MIMO scenarios such as 4x8, 8x4 or 2x4x4 with realtime fading. The result is a compact solution that will appeal to cost-conscious users.
Multiple input multiple output transmission is used for a number of digital communications standards, including LTE, LTE-Advanced and WLAN (802.11n, 802.11ac). The technology will likely also play a key role for 5G. The solution is therefore targeted at users working on research and development of base stations and wireless devices for the mobile communications market.
For this test solution, a single R&S SMW200A with its two integrated RF channels generates both the complete test signal (e.g. LTE or WLAN) and the channel simulation with realtime fading. The additional RF channels needed in the setup are provided by ultra-compact R&S SGT100A RF sources from Rohde & Schwarz. As a result, a 2x4x4 MIMO receiver test setup with one R&S SMW200A and six R&S SGT100A requires less than one third of the space of other commercially available solutions and costs less. Users will also appreciate the easy operation. The entire test setup can be controlled via the signal generator.
Typical applications for the R&S SMW200A include the generation of LTE signals with 4x8 MIMO in the uplink or LTE carrier aggregation with two carriers and up to 4x4 MIMO for each carrier in the downlink. The test solution can also be used to simulate signal scenarios with two cells for dual-cell LTE or for interference testing with two mobile devices that communicate simultaneously, each over their own MIMO channel.
The R&S SMW-K75 higher-order MIMO option for the R&S SMW200A high-end vector signal generator is now available from Rohde & Schwarz.
