Fundamentals of channel

emulation

Mar-2012
 2

Outline
• What is channel emulation and why is it critical for MIMO
systems?
• Channel modeling standards and technologies
• Channel model statistics
• MIMO/OTA
• Channel emulator implementation
• Competitive analysis

www.octoscope.com
 3

Wireless Channel

• Frequency and time variable wireless

channel
• Multipath creates a sum of multiple
versions of the TX signal at the RX
• Mobility of reflectors and wireless

Channel Quality
devices causes Doppler-based fading
• Multiple antenna techniques are used
to optimize transmission in the
presence of multipath and Doppler
fading

MIMO=multiple input multiple output www.octoscope.com

 4

Multipath and Flat Fading

• In a wireless channel the signal

propagating from TX to RX
experiences
Multipath
Flat fading reflections occur
Multipath/Doppler fading in clusters.

+10 dB
0 dB Multipath fading component
-15 dB flat fading component

Time

www.octoscope.com
 5

Wireless Channel
Multipath cluster
model

Composite angular spread

Per path angular spread

Composite angular spread

Multipath and Doppler

fading in the channel

www.octoscope.com
 6

Validating Radio DSP

• A variety of channel
conditions and complex Channel Emulator
multiple-antenna algorithms Controlled
for adapting to these programmable
channel
conditions make a channel TX conditions RX
emulator necessary for  Multipath
developing and testing  Doppler
 Noise
radio DSP

www.octoscope.com
 7

Development and Test of MIMO

• Development and test of MIMO Multiple RF
systems requires a channel emulator Digital IQ (CPRI/OBSAI)
modules can
connect for
to emulate multipath and Doppler scalability

RF Front End
RF Front End
fading in a variety of wireless Channel
channels. Emulator
DSP
• Adaptive multiple antenna techniques, RF or digital IQ coupling to
including TX and RX diversity, spatial DUTs

multiplexing and beamforming involve

sophisticated open and closed loop
algorithms that must be tested under a
range of controlled (emulated) channel
conditions.
• Traditional channel emulators connect
to DUTs conductively – without Problematic for MIMO and
antennas. Antennas and antenna beamforming systems where
arrays are part of the channel models. antennas are integral to performance

www.octoscope.com
 SISO Channel Emulator

Input
h1 Complex time-variable
coefficients, h
TX x

Delay 2 h2 Output
x + RX
Delay 3

hT
…

Delay T x

where T is the number of taps in the TDL

www.octoscope.com
[h1,1 1, h1,1 2, … , h1,1 T]
H1,1
[h2,1 1, h2,1 2, … , h2,1 T]
+
H2,1 M1
[h1,2 1, h1,2 2, … , h1,2 T]
H1,2 Tapped Delay Line, H n,m
[h2,2 1, h2,2 … , h2,2
2, T]
+ M2
H2,2
[h1,3 1, h1,3 2, … , h1,3 T] MIMO Channel
H1,3 Emulation Logic
[h2,3 1, h2,3 2, … , h2,3 T] + M3 2 x 4 Example
H2,3
[h1,4 1, h1,4 2, … , h1,4 T]
H1,4
[h2,4 1, h2,4 2, … , h2,4 T]
+ M4
N1 H2,4
Complex tap
coefficients N2 www.octoscope.com
 Complex Tap Coefficient Generator
AWGN Doppler Tap coefficient factors
Generator filter 1,1 h1,1k

AWGN Doppler Tap coefficient factors

Generator filter 1,2 h1,2k
…

…
Spatial
Polarization
AWGN Doppler correlation Tap coefficient factors
Generator filter matrix
matrix
n,m hn,mk
…

…
AWGN Doppler Tap coefficient factors
Generator filter N,M hN,Mk

where k is the tap number and h is the time-variable complex coefficient

www.octoscope.com
 Doppler Filter FIR or IIR
AWGN Doppler
Generator filter

Doppler filter Notes

Classical Specified for most 3GPP channel models; Classical = Jakes; variations of
classical filter used in the industry include Classical 3 dB and Classical 6 dB;
Bell Specified for 802.11n channel models; variations of this filter include Bell-spike,
which is used by 802.11 model F to model a 40 km/hour spike in the spectrum
Static Models LOS on first tap; used in custom channel modeling
Flat Can also be implemented using RF attenuators via an identity matrix (i.e.
connecting inputs to outputs through attenuators)
Rounded Variations of this filter include Rounded 12 dB
Gaussian
Constant phase
Butterworth
Pure Doppler

www.octoscope.com
 Notes on Doppler Filter Implementation
• AWGN sources are connected to Doppler filters that provide the desired spectral shape of
the fading. The Doppler filter is IIR in the octoFade implementation.
• For 802.11n models, the filter is Bell-shaped for models A through F and Bell-Spike for
model F. The Bell spectrum models fading due to walking-speed motion in the environment
at an average speed of 1.2 km/hr. The spike in the Bell-Spike spectrum adds the effect of a
vehicle moving at an average speed of 40 km/hr.
• For 3GPP models, the Doppler spectrum is Classical.

www.octoscope.com
 Tap Coefficient Factors

x + + x hn,mk
Interpolation
Fluorescent
1 𝐾
𝑒 𝑗𝜃𝑛,𝑚 light 𝑃𝑘 to TDL clock
rate
1+𝐾 1+𝐾
PDP weighting
LOS component NLOS component

Tap coefficient factors

n,m

where k is the tap number, h is the time-variable complex coefficient, K is Rician K-factor

www.octoscope.com
 Notes on Tap Coefficient Factors
• The parameter K (Rician K-factor) determines the relative strength of the LOS and NLOS
components and is set based on the chosen model.
𝐾 1
• The 1+𝐾
term models the LOS component. The 1+𝐾
term models the NLOS
component.
• The LOS component can only be present on the 1st tap. If the distance between the
transmitter and the receiver is greater than the distance to 1st reflector (typically a wall in the
indoor environment ) then LOS component is not present. The presence of LOS is a
configuration parameter that can be enabled or disabled.
• The first tap’s LOS component isn’t Doppler filtered. Thus, if LOS is present, the power
spectrum on the first tap deviates from the Bell spectrum since it includes both the LOS and
the NLOS components. If LOS is present, the PDF and CDF of the 1st tap are Rician. If
LOS is not present the PDF and CDF on the 1st tap are Rayleigh. On all other taps the PDF
and CDF are always Rayleigh.
• 𝑃 𝑘 represents the Power Delay Profile (PDP) weighting, summed over all the clusters that
contribute power for the kth tap. It reflects how strong the total power is at tap k.

www.octoscope.com
 802.11n/ac Correlation Matrix
• The spatial correlation matrix is a function of the angular spread of each cluster, angle of arrival (AoA)
and angle of departure (AoD). 802.11n models assume that RX and TX antenna systems are uniform
linear arrays with equally spaced antenna elements.
• Spatial correlation is implemented using the Kronecker product of the transmit and receive correlation
matrices, Rtx and Rrx, respectively. These matrices are comprised of correlation coefficient terms,ρ, that
depend on the PAS, AoA, AoD, tap powers and distance D between antenna elements. Fox computes
the real and imaginary parts, RXX(D) and RXY(D), respectively, for each ρ. This allows spatial correlation
based on the complex field (i.e., using ρ =RXX(D)+jRXY(D)) or real power (i.e., using ρ =RXX2(D)
+RXY2(D)).

Transmitter
Antenna element spacing, D

Angle of arrival (AoA), AoD

Angle of departure (AoD)
Antenna spacing, D
Receiver
AoA

www.octoscope.com
 16

802.11ac Correlation and Polarization

• MU-MIMO modeled for AoD and AoA
• Polarization matrix added since 802.11ac devices are
expected to have cross-polarized antennas

AoA = angle of arrival

AoD = angle of departure
www.octoscope.com
 17

Outline
• What is channel emulation and why is it critical for MIMO
systems?
• Channel modeling standards and technologies
• Channel model statistics
• MIMO/OTA
• Channel emulator implementation
• Competitive analysis

www.octoscope.com
 18

802.11n Channel Models - Summary

Model [1] Distance to 1st # taps Delay Max delay # clusters

wall (avg) spread
(rms)
A* test model 1 0 ns 0 ns
B Residential 5m 9 15 ns 80 ns 2
C small office 5m 14 30 ns 200 ns 2
D typical office 10 m 18 50 ns 390 ns 3
E large office 20 m 18 100 ns 730 ns 4
F large space 30 m 18 150 ns 1050 ns 6
(indoor or outdoor)
* Model A is a flat fading model; no delay spread and no multipath

The LOS component is not present if the distance between the transmitter and the receiver
is greater than the distance to 1st wall. The presence of LOS is a configuration parameter
that can be enabled or disabled.

www.octoscope.com
 19

802.11ac Channel Models

• 802.11ac channel models are an extension of 802.11n
models [2]

System Bandwidth Channel Sampling Channel Tap

W Rate Expansion Spacing
Factor
W ≤ 40 MHz 1 10 ns
40 MHz < W ≤ 80 MHz 2 5 ns
80 MHz < W ≤ 160 MHz 4 2.5 ns
W > 160 MHz 8 1.25 ns

www.octoscope.com
 20

3GPP Certification Channel Models

Model Name Document

LTE EPA 5Hz; EVA 5Hz; EVA 70Hz; ETU 70Hz; 3GPP TS 36.101 V10.5.0
ETU 300Hz; High speed train; MBSFN (2011-12) Annex B
GSM RAx; HTx; TUx; EQx; TIx 3GPP TS 45.005 V10.3.0
(2011-11) Annex C
3G Case1, Case2, Case3, Case4, Case5, Case6, 3GPP TS 25.101 V11.0.0
Case8, PA3; PB3; VA30; VA120; High speed (2011-12) Annex B
train; Birth-Death propagation; Moving
propagation; MBSFN

www.octoscope.com
 21

Other 3GPP Channel Modeling Documents

37.976 Test Plan for MIMO/OTA
More on this methodology in the MIMO/OTA section below
Requires SCME per 25.996
Referenced in Verizon ODI LTE_3GPP_Band13_Data Throughput Test Plan
• 25.996 Spatial channel model for Multiple Input Multiple Output
(MIMO) simulations
• 36-521-1 UE Conformance Specification, Annex B
References 36.101
• 36.141 Base station conformance test, Annex B
• 36.814 Further advancements for E-UTRA physical layer aspects
(LTE-A), Annex B
Remote radio head, femtocell and outdoor relay channel models
• WIM2 model for LTE-A from ITU WIM2 = WINNER Phase II Model
WINNER = Wireless World Initiative New Radio
OTA = over the air
ODI = open developer initiative
SCME = spatial channel models enhanced www.octoscope.com
 22

Outline
• What is channel emulation and why is it critical for MIMO
systems?
• Channel modeling standards and technologies
• Channel model statistics
• MIMO/OTA
• Channel emulator implementation
• Competitive analysis

www.octoscope.com
 23

Doppler 2
Spectrum – 802.11n Model F 3
Tap h11 Tap h11
0
10 • 100
Example of Doppler
spectrum plots for IEEE
Simulated 802.11n model F
Environment velocity is
1.2 km/hour and is
Theoretical modeled on all taps for
all models
Tap 3 for model F
includes automotive
-40 -20 0 20 40 velocity spike at 40
-40 -20 0
km/hour
Frequency, Hz

Tap h2
The Doppler spread is 3 Hz at 2.4 and 6 Hz at 5.25 GHz for
12
Tap h312
environment speed of 1.2 km/hour

0 0
10 10 www.octoscope.com
 24

Doppler Spectrum – 802.11n Model F, Tap 3

Tap h311

2
10 length 1024
FFT-based power periodograms with
estimation using entire 50% overlap
long realization

0
10
Doppler Spectra

-2
10

-4
10
-200 -150 -100 -50 0 50 100 150 200
Frequency
Frequency, Hz speed of light
www.octoscope.com
 25

Doppler Spectrum – 802.11n Model E, Tap 3

Tap h311
2
10

Fluorescent light effects at 120, 360, and

0 600 Hz – harmonics of the power line
10
frequency of 60 Hz
Doppler Spectra

-2
10

-4
10

-6
10

-8
10
-600 -400 -200 0 200 400 600
Frequency
Frequency, Hz
www.octoscope.com
 26

Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF)

Tx#1 - Rx#1
0 0

-1 -1
CDF

-2 -2
10
log

Tap 1 with LOS component

-3 -3

-4 -4
-40 -20 0 20 -40

• IEEE 802.11n, Model F,Tx#2

CDF- for 18 taps
Rx#1
www.octoscope.com
0 0
 27

Power Delay Profile (PDP) – Model F

Tx#1 - Rx#1
10 10

0 0
Power [dB]

-10 -10
Tap 18

-20 -20
Tap #, 1-18

•
-30
Power decreases with increasing tap delay.
-30
5 10 15 20
• Red points are for the normalized PDP under NLOS conditions. Blue points are simulated normalized
PDP under LOS conditions.
Tx#2 - Rx#1
www.octoscope.com
10 10
 28

Channel Impulse Response

1
10

0
10

-1
10

-2
10
abs(H)

-3
10

-4
10

-5
10

-6
10
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
time (s)

• Impulse response, IEEE 802.11n model F www.octoscope.com

 29

Outline
• What is channel emulation and why is it critical for MIMO
systems?
• Channel modeling standards and technologies
• Channel model statistics
• MIMO/OTA
• Channel emulator implementation
• Competitive analysis

www.octoscope.com
 30

Typical LTE Certification Configuration

Test script libraries, TTCN-3 Protocol
Software
MAC, RLC, MM, CC, SM, TC Layers

Baseband signal Interference Baseband

generator generator signal
analyzer
Channel emulator
AWGN generator
RF Spectrum
RF front end Analyzer

RF VSA
RF combiner
RF VSG
RF MIMO interface
Optional IQ (up to 4x4 or two 4x2)
interface

www.octoscope.com
 31

MIMO/OTA Standardization Efforts

Base Station (eNB) • Channel emulator performs NxM DL emulation

Emulator with N typically being 2 and M being equal to
N inputs the number of probe antennas
NxM MIMO channel • Antennas are typically cross polarized (with 2
emulator elements each: vertical and horizontal)

M outputs …

Field Strength (dB)

Source: 3GPP R4-103856

3GPP Draft TR 37.976 [1]

eNB = enhanced Node B
DL = downlink

www.octoscope.com
 32

MIMO/OTA Standards Organizations

• 3GPP (International)
MIMO/OTA specification development [1]
Driven by TSG RAN WG4 in collaboration with CTIA &
COST
• CTIA (US)
SISO OTA certification standard [4]
Recently formed MIMO/OTA Sub-Working Group (MOSG) is
driving effort to update current standard [4] for
MIMO/diversity
• COST (Europe)
Recently formed ICT COST IC1004 Action: “Cooperative
Radio Communications for Green Smart Environments”;
Formerly COST 2100 Action: “Pervasive Mobile & Ambient Wireless
Communications”
Contributions driven by SWG2.2: “Compact Antenna
Systems for Terminals”
3GPP = 3rd generation partnership project
CTIA = cellular telecommunications industry association www.octoscope.com
COST = European Cooperation in Science and Technology
 33

Proposed MIMO OTA Test Methods

• Anechoic chamber
DUT is surround by multiple antenna elements inside the chamber in
conjunction with external channel emulator/fader and a BS emulator
Various antenna numbers/positions and model permutations are being
evaluated

• Reverberation chamber
Mode-stirrer(s) within DUT chamber are used to generate channel fading
environment in conjunction with an external BS emulator
An external channel emulator can be added to provide higher power delay
profiles, faster Doppler shifts and multipath fading correlation

• Two-stage method
3-D far-field patterns for the DUT’s antenna array are measured OTA in
an anechoic chamber (w/ VNA or w/BS emulator & on-DUT
measurements)
Antenna patterns are mathematically incorporated into the channel
models
DUT is then tested in a conducted fashion with BS and channel emulators
LTE channel models in the draft [1]: SCME Urban Macro (UMa),
Urban Micro (UMi), WINNER II Outdoor-to-indoor and EPA.
SCME = spatial channel model enhanced
AS = angular spread
WINNER = Wireless World Initiative New Radio www.octoscope.com
EPA = extended pedestrian A
 34

Anechoic Chamber - Cluster Modeling

• MIMO/OTA modeling can be done in a large anechoic chamber with probes

surrounding the DUT or in a small chamber modeling a single cluster
• 8 channel emulator DL RF ports are needed for 4 cross polarized probes
modeling a cluster (configuration on left)

DL = downlink
www.octoscope.com
 35

Anechoic Chamber Setup

Uplink Anechoic Chamber

Antenna

Single cluster small

chamber needs 4
cross polarized
UL antennas; big
DUT chamber would
Base-station commonly have 8
Emulator
FOM
USB
DL
N is typically 2 Downlink
Probe Antennas
NxM
Channel
N M
Emulator

FOM = figure of merit

www.octoscope.com
 36

Possible Wi-Fi Anechoic Chamber Setup

www.octoscope.com
 37

30

Single Cluster Setup Using octoBox II

www.octoscope.com
 38

Single Cluster Anechoic

Chamber Test
• Chamber geometry is
determined by cluster AS
and by the far-field
90°
distance
• TR 37.976 [1] specifies
single cluster AS of
35° rms, or about …
+ +
90° peak to peak for
Laplacian distribution
50° peak to peak for
non-Laplacian distribution
+ + Probes

AS = angular spread AS = angular spread www.octoscope.com

 39

MIMO/OTA Test Figure of Merit (FOM)

• Predominant MIMO/OTA FOM is Example MIMO/OTA Measurement

averaged MIMO OTA throughput (a) SCME UMa - 16 QAM
25
Indicator of end-to-end link capacity
Measured actively with a BS emulator in 20

a fading environment

(Mbps)
Measured at top of UE LTE/HSPA

Throughput (Mbps)
15

physical layers

Throughput
Performed with fixed or variable RCs 10

(reference channels) Max Theoretical

Typically measured while varying RX

5
Huawei E398

input power (sensitivity), SNR (co- ZTE AL621

0
channel interference), channel models -120 -115 -110 -105 -100 -95 -90

and DUT orientation

RS_EPRE At DUT (dBm)

Source: R4-113185

Energy at DUT per LTE subcarrier

(i.e. per 15 kHz)
SCME = spatial channel model enhances FOM = figure of merit
UMa = Urban Macro RS = reference signal
Umi = Urban Micro EPRE = energy per resource element www.octoscope.com
 40

Two-Stage Method Setup (Stage 1)

Anechoic
Uplink Chamber
Antenna

UL
DUT
Base-station Antenna
Emulator USB Pattern
Measurements
DL (to Stage 2)

Reference
Antenna

www.octoscope.com
 41

Two-Stage Method Setup (Stage 2)

UL
Antenna DUT
Pattern Base- USB
Channel
Measurements station FOM
Emulator
(from Stage1) Emulator
DL
To emulation software Conducted
mapping (bypassing DUT antennas)

FOM = figure of merit

www.octoscope.com
 42

Reverberation Chamber Setup

Uplink Reverberation Chamber

Antenna

Mode-stirrer(s)

UL
DUT
Base-station
Emulator USB FOM
DL M is typically 2
N can be 4
MxN
Channel Downlink
M Emulator N Probe Antenna(s)

FOM = figure of merit

www.octoscope.com
 43

Reverberation Chamber Setup Example

Traditional reverb Uniform angular spread;

configuration difficult to reproduce a
Doppler effects are standards based model
modeled by stirrers

3GPP MIMO/OTA proposal

RF
Absorber
Doppler effects are modeled by stirrers;
Stirrer
Channel
Emulator
RF
Amps
Transmit
Antennas channel emulator provides more realistic
Device
Doppler
eNodeB
Under
Emulator
Test ZTE HSPA DUT

Turntable

Return Path
One of the
Source: R4-113076 3GPP RAN4
Ref. Antenna round-robin test
DUTs

AS = angular spread
www.octoscope.com
 44

Small Anechoic vs. Reverb Chamber

Metric Small Reverb Notes

anechoic chamber
TIS/TRP certification Y ? e.g. BLER, TX Power metrics [4]
3D FOM plots Y 3D plots of antenna fields & RX sensitivity

Conducted metrics Y Range, RX sensitivity, TX spectrum, channel

emulation, interference, etc.
3GPP PHY certification Y UE or eNB; typically performed at labs like
7Layers, CETECOM and AT4
MIMO/OTA single cluster method Y
MIMO/OTA 2-stage method Y
MIMO/OTA reverb method Y
GPS test Y Requires superior isolation
Production Y Multi-radio smartphones, APs, base stations

Simultaneous production test of Y Test radios simultaneously (fast production, radios

multi-radio DUTs interference test)
FCC/ECC regulatory pretest Y e.g. radiated emissions

TIS = total isotropic sensitivity

FOM = figure of merit TRP = total radiated power
BLER = block error rate www.octoscope.com
ECC = electronic communications committee
 45

Outline
• What is channel emulation and why is it critical for MIMO
systems?
• Channel modeling standards and technologies
• Channel model statistics
• MIMO/OTA
• Channel emulator implementation
• Competitive analysis

www.octoscope.com
 System Architecture
Emulator Applications
GUI/Automation

• Standard-specific functions that translate propagation

model profiles to generic emulator function calls
802.11n/ac GSM WCDMA LTE i.e. LTE_set_model(), WCDMA_enable_birthdeath(), etc.
Profile API Profile API Profile API Profile API

• Generic emulator functions that translate emulator

block configurations to register settings
Emulator API
i.e. octoFade_ConfigureMIMOChannels(),
octoFade_ConfigureTDLPaths(),
octoFade_ConfigureCorrelationMatrix, etc.

C-Library GPU-based HAL API

• Hardware abstraction layer that programs register
values to a specific platform or writes register
non-real-time real-time
values to file to support modeling & simulation
software software USB or PCIe
efforts
√ released i.e. write_register (), read_register (), etc.

Off-the-shelf FPGA hardware

(e.g. Stratix IV GX FPGA Dev
Patent applied for; Kit 530 shown)
Project not yet funded
3Q’2012 IQ serial streams

Custom or off-the-shelf RF Front End, if needed

www.octoscope.com
 47

octoFade Solution
Custom or off-the-shelf RF Front End
• octoFade is a fully verified
library of standards-based
channel models and generic
fader building blocks
• Implemented in C-software and
RTL Commercial off
• Ideal for building into existing the shelf
computing
systems requiring channel hardware
emulation (FPGA and
GPU)
• octoScope provides
Sales of software or RTL
Customization and integration
services

RTL = register transfer level www.octoscope.com

 48

octoFade Software
Up to 4x4 MIMO configuration

Impairments: AWGN,
802.11n/ac spurious, phase
channel emulator noise, IQ imbalance,
4x4 frequency shift
4 streams 4 streams
Sample rate Sample rate
conversion conversion

Input file of sampled Output file of

IQ streams sampled IQ streams

AWGN = average white Gaussian noise

www.octoscope.com
 49

Use octoFade Software with Off-the-shelf Equipment

octoFade software

Off the shelf Off the shelf

VSA VSG

Running on a Linux or Windows PC DUT

www.octoscope.com
 octoFade Software Architecture

Model statistics
(Matlab)

CLI application +
API
API

octoFade channel modeling

library

www.octoscope.com
 51

National Instruments LabVIEW Console

National
Instruments
LabVIEW
application

Graphical
programming
environment

www.octoscope.com
www.octoscope.com
 52

Viewing Input and Output Streams

National Instruments
TDMS file view

TDMS = TDM streaming

TDM = technical data management

www.octoscope.com
 53

Waveform Analysis

National Instruments WLAN Toolkit

www.octoscope.com
 54

Channel and Distortion Settings

www.octoscope.com
 55

Supported Models and Building Blocks

Parameter Model Name References and Notes
3GPP Models (RTL) LTE: EPA 5Hz; EVA 5Hz; EVA 3GPP TS 36.521-1 V10.0.0 (2011-12) Annex B
70Hz; ETU 70Hz; ETU 300Hz; 3GPP TS 36.101 V10.5.0 (2011-12) Annex B
High speed train; MBSFN
GSM: RAx; HTx; TUx; EQx; TIx 3GPP TS 45.005 V10.3.0 (2011-11) Annex C

3G: PA3; PB3; VA30; VA120; 3GPP TS 25.101 V11.0.0 (2011-12) Annex B
High speed train; Birth-Death 3GPP TS 25.104 V11.0.0 (2011-12) Annex B
propagation; Moving
propagation; MBSFN
IEEE 802.11n/ac Models A, B, C, D, E, F IEEE 802.11-03/940r4; IEEE 11-09-0569
(software)
Static Models (software Identity matrix Static bypass
and RTL)
Butler matrix Static, minimum correlation

Channel modelling Tap: delay, Doppler, PDP weight

building blocks (RTL) Path: list of taps
System: NxM, correlation matrix
www.octoscope.com
 56

RTL DSP Specifications

Parameter Specification Notes
Number of IQ input paths 1-8 Unused inputs disabled where applicable
IQ input data format 18-bit
Number of IQ output paths 1-8 Unused outputs set to zero where applicable
IQ output data format 18-bit
Input/output sample rate Up to 400 MHz Current capability: 100 MHz
Channel bandwidth Up to 160 MHz Current capability: 40 MHz
Maximum number of total taps FPGA resources-dependent N x M x taps_per_TDL
Number of TDL blocks Up to 64
Number of taps per TDL block FPGA resources-dependent
Tap delay range FPGA resources-dependent Current capability: 30 usec
Minimum tap delay resolution 2.5 ns Current capability: 10 ns
Tap weight range 0 to -50 dB
Tap weight resolution 0.1dB
Doppler shift 2 kHz To support high speed train
SNR setting -10 to +35 dB, average
+/- 0.1 dB accuracy
Noise filter bandwidth Up to 160 MHz Equal to preconfigured channel bandwidth

Subject to the availability of FPGA resources, octoScope can customize any of these specifications. www.octoscope.com
 57

RF Front End Considerations

Parameter Specification Notes

MIMO configuration 8x8 To support emerging

802.11ac and LTE
beamforming
configurations

Bidirectionality Important To support beamforming

Bandwidth 160 MHz To support emerging

802.11ac

Dynamic range Accommodate 52 dB of Signal fluctuation:

(RF dynamic range, converter output signal dynamic +9 dB for PAPR
and DSP resolution) range with little +3 dB for up-fade
distortion -40 dB for down-fade

EVM About 6 dB higher than For example, channel

EVM required for RF emulator’s EVM should be
signal at least 36 dB over the
entire dynamic range to
minimize distortion of a 30
dB EVM 802.11n signal

www.octoscope.com
 58

Outline
• What is channel emulation and why is it critical for MIMO
systems?
• Channel modeling standards and technologies
• Channel model statistics
• MIMO/OTA
• Channel emulator implementation
• Competitive analysis

www.octoscope.com
 59

Competitive Positioning – Flexibility/Integration

• Flexibility and design for custom integration
Integration into any size FPGA logic, for example to support a multiport mesh topology
requiring extensive logic resources
Integration with custom or off-the-shelf RF front end to support required frequencies and
channel widths instead of overpaying for a wideband front end (possibly with non-
optimum performance) offered by mainstream competing products
• Although competing products support custom channel models, their architecture
typically lacks flexibility when it comes to
Topology (i.e. port interconnections), which sometimes limits configurations (e.g. product
may offer support for one 4x4 MIMO link or two 2x2 links, but not full mesh of SISO links)
Custom channel models (e.g. limited Doppler velocity or tap timing resolution, etc.)
Non-standard frequency bands and channel widths (e.g. may not offer 5 MHz channel
width or higher sampling rate needed for 802.11ac operating in 160 MHz channels)
Real-time reconfiguration of fading parameters (e.g. Doppler changing vs. time)
• octoFade can address the needs of applications that mainstream emulators are
unable to meet due to their closed and rigid architecture

www.octoscope.com
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Competitive Landscape

Elektrobit
Propsim
octoFade Azimuth ACE Spirent VR5
MIMO config Up to 8x8 bi- 4x4 uni- and bi- 8x8 uni- and bi- 4x4 uni- and bi-
directional directional directional directional
Bandwidth 160 MHz 40 MHz 100 MHz 135 MHz
Optional 450-2700 MHz 380-3850 MHz 350-3000 MHz
Freq range 4100-6000 MHz
customizable RF 3300-3850 MHz 350-6000 MHz
Front End 4900-5900 MHz
Wi-Fi, LTE, Y Y Y Y
3G, GSM
Models

Doppler filter, TDL, Doppler filter, TDL, Doppler filter, TDL, Doppler filter, TDL,
Custom PDP, correlation PDP, correlation PDP, correlation PDP, correlation
matrix, flexible matrix matrix matrix
topology; multi-cell
ASP (bi- $50k (8x8) RTL $300-400k (4x4) $300-400k (8x8) $300-400k (4x4)
directional) $35k (2x2) RTL >$100k (2x2) >$100k (2x2) >$100k (2x2)
$20k software www.octoscope.com
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Application Suitability

Elektrobit
Propsim
octoFade Azimuth ACE Spirent VR5
3GPP (2G/3G/LTE)
802.11n
802.11ac 1
DSRC (802.11p) 2

Mesh networks 3

UHF white spaces 4

Custom RF 5

Custom topology 5

Notes on competitive shortcomings:

1. MU MIMO support and 400 Msps sampling unavailable
2. DSRC channel models not implemented
3. Mesh network testing requires more ports than available
4. UHF white spaces requires custom models
www.octoscope.com
5. Unavailable
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DSRC Application - Requirements

• High number of RF ports
2x2 MIMO
• Symmetric channel; point to point
• 5.9 MHz
• Channel width 5, 10, 20 MHz
• V2V, V2I, etc. (V2X) communications

V2V = vehicle to vehicle

V2I = vehicle to infrastructure
DSRC = direct short-range communications

www.octoscope.com
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octoFade Summary
• Flexible channel emulation
solution
C software (non-real-time)
GPU software (real-time
Hardware (real-time)
• Support for
Standards-based 802.11n/ac, LTE,
3G and GSM fading models
Custom fading models
Custom topology
Custom or off-the-shelf RF front
end
• Fully verified implementation;
customer references available
www.octoscope.com
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References
1. IEEE, 802.11-03/940r4: TGn Channel Models; May 10, 2004
2. IEEE, 11-09-0569 , “TGac Channel Model Addendum Supporting Material”, May 2009
3. Schumacher et al, "Description of a MATLAB® implementation of the Indoor MIMO WLAN channel model proposed
by the IEEE 802.11 TGn Channel Model Special Committee", May 2004
4. IEEE 802.11-09/0308r12, “TGac Channel Model Addendum”, March 18, 2010
5. IEEE, 11-09-0334-08-00ad-channel-models-for-60-ghz-wlan-systems
6. Schumacher et al, "From antenna spacings to theoretical capacities - guidelines for simulating MIMO systems"
7. Schumacher reference software for implementing and verifying 802.11n models -
http://www.info.fundp.ac.be/~lsc/Research/IEEE_80211_HTSG_CMSC/distribution_terms.html
8. 3GPP 36-521, UE Conformance Specification, Annex B
9. 3GPP TR 25.996, "3rd Generation Partnership Project; technical specification group radio access networks; Spatial
channel model for MIMO simulations“
10. IST-WINNER II Deliverable 1.1.2 v.1.2, “WINNER II Channel Models”, IST-WINNER2, Tech. Rep., 2008
(http://projects.celtic-initiative.org/winner+/deliverables.html)
11. 3GPP TR37.976, MIMO OTA channel models
12. 3GPP TS 34.114: “User Equipment (UE) / Mobile Station (MS) Over The Air (OTA) Antenna Performance
Conformance Testing”
13. CTIA, “Test Plan for Mobile Station Over the Air Performance - Method of Measurement for Radiated RF Power and
Receiver Performance”, Revision 3.1, January 2011
www.octoscope.com
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Thank you!
• View octoBox information
• View our articles, white papers and test reports
• Contact
Fanny Mlinarsky
Mobile: 978.376.5841
Email: fm@octoscope.com

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