The Elektrobit Propsim FS8 is an eight-channel RF signal path emulator for testing of wireless handsets, basestations, and chipsets including LTE with MIMO. It is housed in a standard 6U height frame.

Testing Long-Term Evolution (LTE) handsets and chipsets is tough enough. But add multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), and the job becomes even more onerous. Elektrobit’s Propsim FS8 radio channel emulator makes the while process easier and faster (see the figure).

The EB Propsim FS8 is an eight-channel RF path emulator designed to perform single-channel and multichannel testing including up to 4-by-4, 8-by-2, and 8-by-4 MIMO. It provides full programmability of fading and delay profiles to ensure realistic air interface emulation. In addition to covering the latest LTE 3GPP Release 10 and 11 enhancements including carrier aggregation up the 160-MHz bandwidth, the FS8 can be used on other wireless standards including WCDMA, HSPA, GSM, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, and DVB.

Basic specifications include a frequency range of 30 to 2700 MHz, RF bandwidth to 40 MHz, up to 48 fading paths per channel, up to 32 fading channels, both additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and continuous-wave (CW) interference generators, input power measurement, and continuous and RF burst triggering. The RF power output range is –120 to 20 dBm. The noise floor is –165 dBm/Hz. Typical error vector magnitude (EVM) using orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) with 20-MHz bandwidth is –45 dB.

The FS8 is fully compatible with both conformance and operator-specific test cases. The unit provides true performance testing and evaluation in the laboratory, greatly decreasing the amount of field testing needed. The result is significant savings in product development testing. The FS8 is now available for shipping. Contact EB for pricing and more details.

Elektrobit Corp.