ACE MX - MIMO Channel Emulator for Broadband Wireless

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Emerging carrier-grade 3G/4G wireless access promises speeds of 100 to 350 Mbps for delivery of high-speed data, video and voice services. High throughput delivery for LTE and WiMAX is achieved using orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) and advanced antenna techniques such as Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO). MIMO performance depends on the radio channels in which it operates, and accurate and repeatable lab characterization of RF environmental effects such as multipath and fading is critical for reliable testing of conformance, performance and interoperability of the systems. Testing such conditions can only be achieved through the use of channel emulation.

The ACE MX is a state-of-the-art channel emulator, purpose-built to support MIMO transmissions and architected to meet the demanding RF needs of OFDM based systems. The ACE MX product line combines industry-leading channel emulation capabilities in a comprehensive design to deliver a range of configurations for MIMO and/or SISO system testing, with uni- and bi-directional configurations.

The ACE MX product line is an easy-to-use family of fully-featured channel emulators designed to accurately create complex fading channels for testing the most advanced wireless technology and devices.

The ACE MX patented design is purpose-built for MIMO, and has been architected and designed from the ground up to meet the demanding needs of OFDM and MIMO-based systems, in addition to the channel emulation and testing requirements of previous generation SISO 2G/3G wireless technologies.

The ACE MX product line combines industry-leading channel emulation capabilities with a modular product solution to deliver a range of configurations for MIMO system testing. The intuitive and easy-to-use configuration and control interface enables efficient, automated and repeatable testing of WiMAX, LTE and other 4G infrastructure and devices.

The ACE MX is a universal frequency, fully bi-directional channel emulator supporting SISO up to 8x4 MIMO systems and features built-in real time fading including industry standard models or custom designed models that allow users to recreate a variety of typical MIMO scenarios for accurate performance and interoperability testing. This real-world emulation in a lab environment replaces traditional wireless field tests that are time consuming and lack repeatability.

The ACE™ MX enables users to:

• Reliably and accurately test performance of MIMO-based systems over range and in motion in impaired environments
• Quickly analyze test data enabling faster identification and resolution of all system design elements that reduce performance
• Streamline device testing by providing direct connections to wireless devices and eliminating external RF devices
• Test MIMO algorithms and debug errors.

Using Azimuth's DIRECTOR™ II Test Executive software, tests run on the ACE MX Channel Emulator can be fully managed and automated reducing time to market.

Key Attributes of the ACE MX

MIMO and OFDM Optimized

One of the key benefits OFDM and MIMO bring to the user is the higher performance of the solution. To achieve this, the RF performance is greater than legacy technologies and this places a burden on the test equipment to have an RF fidelity greater than before. The ACE MX is designed from the ground up to meet the stringent 4G requirements and provides RF characteristics like EVM and Noise Figure superior to any other tool in the industry.

Bi-Directional Scalable Architecture

The architecture and packaging of the ACE MX allows the unit to be set up in a variety of configurations allowing the user to build a configuration ideally matched to the testing requirements. From SISO or 2x2 MIMO through to full 4x4 or even 8x4, and uni-directional or bi-directional testing for conformance testing or full real world emulation.

To address the most critical benefits of the mobile communications, the ACE also is easily configured for point to multipoint topologies with different channel modeling and velocities for different devices, making this the ideal platform testing of features like handoff, multicast/broadcast and collaborative uplink configurations.

Designed for Usability

The need for channel emulation in many standardized tests for compliance, performance, interoperability and functionality puts the ACE MX in the hands of novice as well as expert users. So while still providing advanced capabilities to the user, the ACE MX user interface is keenly focused on providing a user experience which will make test setup and operation extremely easy.

Real Time Channel Fading

Using state-of-the-art digital signal processing technology, the channel emulator recreates up to 4x4, bi-directional channel fading and antenna correlation in a real time engine, offering dynamic and statistically reliable channel emulation with virtually endless repeat times for a range of industry standard models. In addition the model builder capability provides the user with the ability to program multiple customized models of a complex nature for any type of specialized test cases.

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