Features
Network Operator Acceptance Testing of LTE Devices
February 8, 2010 7:29 am | Articles | CommentsThe (new/old) challenges in accelerating LTE device time-to-market. By Konstantinos Stavropoulos, Anite click to enlarge Figure 1. A representative set of lab acceptance tests that 2G/3G operators have considered. The use of wireless devices, whether handsets or data cards, has increased substantially during the last few years.
Building an FPGA-based SoC Framework for LTE Baseband Designs
February 8, 2010 7:28 am | Articles | CommentsBy Akshaya Trivedi, Altera Corporation Figure 1. SoC framework and infrastructure. Radio Access Networks (RANs) are undergoing an architecture change to an all-IP flat network to reduce network deployment costs as well as to offer rich mobile applications and services at a lower end-to-end latency.
Transmitter RFIC Integration for Next Generation Wireless Infrastructure Radios
February 8, 2010 7:28 am | Articles | CommentsLeveraging highly integrated RFIC designs and high dynamic range converters helps meet the challenges of next-generation base stations. By Phillip Halford and Ed Balboni, RF Group, Analog Devices, Inc. click to enlarge Figure 1.
LTE: The Insatiable Need for Bandwidth Drives Architectural Change
February 2, 2010 10:14 am | Articles | CommentsBy Manuel Uhm and Mark Quartermain, Xilinx The baseband processing function represents a key area of product differentiation for Telecommunications Equipment Manufacturers (TEMs). However, the advent of 3.9/4G systems poses a difficult challenge to TEMs, as they struggle to evolve traditional DSP-centric channel cards to meet a new set of technical and commercial challenges.
Wireless Base Stations Benefit from Signal Compression
February 2, 2010 6:17 am | Articles | CommentsFor deployments by a single operator, wireless repeater systems offer more cost effective fiber transport costs. By Allan Evans, VP of Marketing, Samplify Systems ABI Research predicts that revenues for distributed antenna systems and in-building wireless systems will exceed $15B by 2013.
Designing a Wireless Heart Rate Monitor with Remote Data Logging
January 7, 2010 10:58 am | Articles | CommentsThe current generation of monitors are portable heart rate sensors that have found their way into general purposes for activities such as exercise and sports. While these devices are useful for individual purposes, they do not facilitate use by a coach or manager. By Archana Yarlagadda, Cypress Semiconductor click to enlarge Figure 1.
Wireless Sensor Networks Expand the Reach of Wireless Technology
December 18, 2009 10:55 am | Articles | CommentsWant to learn more about how design engineers are addressing the challenges of Wireless Sensor Networks? Read on! By Nicholas Butler, Wireless Sensor Networks, National Instruments click to enlarge Figure 1. Technology adoption lifecycle from Crossing the Chasm, Geoffrey A.
MIMO-Analysis for WiMAX, WLAN and LTE
December 14, 2009 11:48 am | Articles | CommentsMaking measurements involving MIMO applications requires adaptation of the algorithms used in the analysis software. By Johan Nilsson and Dr. Wolfgang Wendler, Rohde & Schwarz click to enlarge Figure 1. MIMO in WiMAX system. Due to ongoing growth in demand for channel capacity, more and more radio standards such as WiMAX, 3GPP HSPA, 3GPP LTE and WLAN are adopting MIMO technology.
Integration and Power Management Open the Door for RKE Applications
December 14, 2009 11:48 am | Articles | CommentsASSPs are meeting the challenges through the integration of mixed-signal technology and innovative power management schemes. Herve Branquart, Robert Waterman, ON Semiconductor click to enlarge Figure 1: Two way RKE block diagram Wireless transceiver technology is truly established in the automotive industry with Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) now a standard feature of even basic specification vehicles.
Model-Based Design for Hybrid Electric Vehicle Systems
December 14, 2009 11:48 am | Articles | CommentsHybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) development requires collaboration and optimization across multiple engineering domains. By Saurabh Mahapatra, The MathWorks Figure 1: This simplified diagram of an HEV vehicle illustrates one possible arrangement of system elements.
The Role of Wideband Transceiver Technology in Enabling LTE
December 14, 2009 11:47 am | Articles | CommentsAn integrated single-chip RF transceiver provides the flexibility to address all aspects of the LTE standard. By Ebrahim Bushehri, Lime Microsystems click to enlarge Table 1: Comparison of data rate and channel bandwidth for wireless standards.
Introduction to LTE Base Station RF Conformance Testing
December 14, 2009 11:47 am | Articles | CommentsBy Moray Rumney and Hiroshi Yanagawa, Agilent Technologies, Inc. Operator acceptance testing is yet another step in the process and includes more user-centric tests. click to enlarge Table 1. Base station RF transmitter characteristics tests.
The Hidden Challenge of MIMO Test
October 15, 2009 11:08 am | Articles | CommentsToday, engineers can combine modern RF signal analyzers with a basic understanding of digital downconversion to produce a tightly synchronized MIMO measurement solution. By David A. Hall, National Instruments click to enlarge Figure 1.
Build Agility through Wireless Networks Designed Right
October 15, 2009 9:33 am | Articles | CommentsDesigning a wireless data network without fully accounting for the mix of applications, the types of client devices and number of users risks reduced performance. By Dr. Roger Skidmore, Motorola click to enlarge Figure 1.
Protecting Chinese 3G Base Stations
October 15, 2009 9:02 am | Articles | CommentsJudicious use of the appropriate protective circuits and devices in cellular base stations can greatly improve reliability and ensure required compliance with YD5098-2005. By Teddy To, China, Littelfuse Inc. click to enlarge Figure 1.
WiMAX 101 The Evolution of WiMAX
October 14, 2009 9:18 am | Articles | CommentsWith networks built around an infrastructure of base stations and subscriber stations like WiMAX, the size of the infrastructure and the number of deployments is a key consideration. John Schwartz, Digi International It is always interesting whenever a new standard is adopted or starts to gain some ubiquity in the marketplace.
State-of-the-Art IC: Transmitter in Ultrasound Devices
October 14, 2009 9:18 am | Articles | CommentsLower voltage IC technologies now enable ultrasound receiver chips with unprecedented high gain and low noise numbers. By Ismail Oguzman and Arash Loloee, Texas Instruments click to enlarge Figure 1. Typical block-diagram of a complete medical ultrasound system.
Bringing the Real World into the Lab for 4G Wireless Testing
October 2, 2009 8:51 am | Articles | CommentsFailure to test base-station or mobile device receivers under realistic conditions can add significant risk in terms of support costs, churn, and operational costs. By Arashk “Ash” Mahjoubi-Amine, Spirent Communications click to enlarge Figure 1.
Challenges of LTE Basestation and Handset Testing
August 13, 2009 7:18 am | Articles | CommentsWith the pressure on infrastructure equipment vendors to deliver quickly to market, structured, incremental and flexible test programs are essential for the development integration, verification and optimization of LTE infrastructure. By Phil Medd and Nick Carter of Aeroflex Test Solutions click to enlarge Figure 1.
Dual Channel MIMO Measurements for WiMAX™ Wave 2
June 26, 2009 12:31 pm | Articles | CommentsBy Benjamin Zarlingo, Agilent Technologies Inc. In designing, troubleshooting and optimizing WiMAX Wave 2 systems, a variety of dual-channel measurements can provide essential insight into their operation and performance. click to enlarge Table 1.
Radio Channel Emulation Challenges in 3GPP LTE
June 26, 2009 6:55 am | Articles | CommentsSecuring product performance in the field by using laboratory channel emulation can give a competitive edge to companies that use these solutions. By Janne Kolu, Elektrobit Corporation click to enlarge Figure 1. Emulation of a radio channel in the laborotary conditions.
Simultaneous Multimode RRH Design Made Easy
June 26, 2009 6:54 am | Articles | CommentsDiverse modulation formats and sampling rates between various standards make designing common building blocks challenging. Deepak Boppana, Altera Corporation click to enlarge Figure 1. Farrow Filter Structure. Remote radio heads (RRH) technology with support for simultaneous operation of multiple air-interface protocols is an emerging product requirement for operators.
Next-Generation Wireless Sensing is Moving Forward
May 27, 2009 7:31 am | Articles | CommentsWith the integration of MEMS technology in the remote, motion signatures can be digitized for the game control. By Michelle Kelsey, Freescale Semiconductor The evolution of gaming is on its way - Freescale's accelerometer, MCU and radio portfolio enables an ideal chip set for low power with high integration.
It's in the Tag: The Importance of Considering Power Efficiency when Choosing a Real Time Location System
May 27, 2009 7:31 am | Articles | CommentsFor a location system to deliver a return-on-investment, a critical mass of assets must be tagged for tracking. By Steve Jackson, RadarFind Corporation Figure 1. Status switches on RTLS tags. While more organizations are realizing the value of investing in a real time location system, demonstrating the return-on-investment is critical to garner broad support.
Electronic Packaging RF SiPs Demand Early Packaging Focus
April 8, 2009 6:48 am | Articles | CommentsBy considering packaging in the early stages of product development, design teams can determine the best architecture for their particular application. By Ralph Ebbutt, Maxtek Components Corp. click to enlarge Figure 1 - An example of a system-on-chip (SoC) device.
