National instruments has introduced the world’s first software defined radio (SDR) for the millimeter wave (mmWave) spectrum. This new NI mmWave Transceiver System is a full transceiver that can transmit and/or receive wide-bandwidth signals at an unprecedented 2 GHz real-time bandwidth, covering the spectrum in the E-band, 71-76 GHz. Engineers and scientists have used SDRs ubiquitously in the spectrum below 6 GHz for years. However, with companies investing in mmWave as a potential core technology for 5G, researchers now have a full-featured SDR platform to drive initiatives based on this technology.
This transceiver system includes new PXI Express modules that collectively function as an mmWave access point for a user device. Because of the unprecedented flexibility, users can develop mmWave communication prototyping systems or perform channel measurements – necessary exercises for wireless researchers to understand the characteristics of a new spectrum – using the same system.
This software delivers a complete mmWave physical layer including channel coding in LabVIEW virtual instrument (VI) source code to expedite system development while alleviating many of the system integration tasks. Researchers can also use the mmWave transceiver system baseband with the E-band mmWave heads or other third-party RF front ends to offer maximum flexibility for exploring other mmWave and microwave frequency bands.
Nokia being a key participant in NI’s RF/Communications Lead User program, has been working with early versions of the mmWave transceiver system in its 5G research initiatives for over a year. At this year’s Brooklyn 5G Summit, Nokia will demonstrate a high data rate mmWave system using phased array @ 60 GHz using NI’s platform, thus making 5G a commercial reality. Click here to learn more about NI's MM-wave solutions.
