The system includes PXI Express modules that collectively function as an mmWave access point for a user device. Because of the flexibility, users can develop mmWave communication prototyping systems or perform channel measurements using the same system.
“There’s no doubt that 5G will include frequencies greater than 6GHz,” said Charles Schroeder, VP of RF and Wireless Communications Product Marketing at NI. “The mmWave transceiver system is an essential platform for understanding the propagation models of higher frequency signals and for building real world prototypes of these new generation 5G systems.”
Software is said to deliver a complete mmWave physical layer, including channel coding in LabVIEW virtual instrument source code to expedite system development. Researchers can also use the mmWave transceiver system baseband with the E-band mmWave heads or other third party RF front ends to explore other mmWave and microwave frequency bands.
Nokia has been working with early versions of the system for more than a year. “[It] has been a key research platform for our mmWave research,” said Tod Sizer, head of mobile radio research at Nokia Bell Labs. “The platform delivers the right combination of hardware and software necessary to expedite our research and has given us confidence that mmWave will indeed be a critical technology for 5G.”
