Software Enables R&D Teams to Improve Performance of Emerging/4G Wireless Systems

The software creates an interactive RF/baseband platform for 4G modeling by linking the user's baseband DPD algorithms with trusted wideband test equipment, standard references and RF EDA software. Armed with higher confidence in real-world performance, designers can now accelerate deployment of emerging communications chipsets, base stations and transceivers.

Introducing Agilent's Wideband DPD Modeling Platform

DPD technology helps address challenges in system performance and battery life for the wireless industry's data-intensive communications formats. To date, it has been widely adopted in existing 3G and WLAN systems. However, as new standards exceed 100 MHz of spectrum to achieve 1 Gb/s data rates, each facet of wireless system design is struggling to meet new bandwidth and linearity requirements. The effect is being felt by hardware test instruments, baseband DPD algorithms, embedded signal processing chipsets, and RF/analog components alike. While solution providers rush to fill the gaps, market pressure is intense to demonstrate working systems.

To address this dilemma, Agilent enhanced its W1716 DPD software and linked it to Agilent PXI Modular instruments to enable a wideband stimulus/response platform for interactive DPD modeling of emerging and 4G wireless systems. The hardware/software platform integrates:

Advanced, 4G-ready DPD algorithms for both PA modeling and pre-distortion.
A step-by-step DPD modeling graphical user interface, for ease of use.
Optional, standards-based reference libraries for LTE-Advanced, 802.11ac, WCDMA, OFDM, and other waveforms, as well as crest factor reduction.

A calibrated stimulus/response measurement platform with up to 250 MHz of bandwidth (using the M9392A PXI microwave vector signal analyzer), expandable to 800 MHz (using the M9362A-D01 PXIe microwave quad downconverter).

Integration with leading RF EDA design tools, such as Agilent Advanced Design System and GoldenGate, for predictive, simulation-based extraction, including memory effects.
Open interfaces that accept proprietary DPD intellectual property and test vectors; scriptable IVI/SCPI instrument connectivity; plus the ability to create custom GUIs that capture a company's modeling and extraction methodologies for re-use and workgroup collaboration.

In order to connect customers' DPD modeling efforts with their enterprise RF and baseband design flows, we integrated a vendor-neutral modeling platform based around industry standards with best-in-class algorithms, RF measurement science and RF EDA tools, said Frank Ditore, SystemVue product manager for Agilent. This solution provides teams with complete intellectual property transparency and control of their 4G performance without prematurely committing to implementation details. It also gives them a structured, model-based approach that can be used from early evaluation through final verification.