Date: 19/02/2010

New LTE applications from Agilent targets 4G system-level design

Agilent has released a new line of predictive products and algorithmic references for the SystemVue platform that are consistent with the LTE v.8.9.0 standard. The new products such as IP, digital pre-distortion and MIMO channel accelerate eNodeB, 4G deployment for LTE system architects, baseband hardware designers, and RF equipment.

The W1715 MIMO Channel Builder is a simulation blockset for LTE architecture and receiver designers, based on the WINNER and WINNER-II fading algorithms. By incorporating non-ideal MIMO antenna performance (e.g., crosstalk and directionality), the W1715 goes beyond these standard propagation models. It enables 2D far-field data to be imported from antenna measurements or 3D EM simulations, including Agilent EM PRO. The W1715 also follows the design into hardware test.

The W1716 Digital Pre-Distortion builder offers LTE system integrators, RF component designers, and baseband architects quick transition from 3G to 4G by creating baseband signal processing networks. The W1716 consists of a wizard-based UI that automatically models and corrects common sources of memory effects, in-band EVM degradation and adjacent-channel power re-growth. The software controls signal generators and analyzers to characterize the component response to a configurable LTE signal. The W1716 produces two networks: an impaired dataflow simulation model to use at the link level, and a baseband pre-distortion network to correct for those impairments. After extraction, the W1716 completes a report documenting the actual DPD improvement it achieved, using authentic LTE v.8.9.0 waveforms, or any user-defined waveform that can be made with SystemVue.

Agilent's W1910 LTE Baseband Verification Library reference blockset has been updated to LTE v.8.9.0 and now includes expanded PRACH and HARQ support. The HARQ simulation support uses a unique dynamic dataflow simulation mode. This mode allows the symbol rate to change dynamically over the course of the simulation while retaining the timing and carrier information necessary for full RF effects, frequency-dependent phase noise, and channel fading. This capability reduces LTE simulations to minutes or hours for meaningful throughput, and BLER and EVM compliance measurements.

The W1912 LTE Baseband Exploration Library is a C++ source code version of the W1910 and has also been updated. The W1912 allows deeper algorithmic insights, control, line-by-line software debugging, and precise test vector generation from inside the algorithms of a working LTE v.8.9.0 physical layer.

"We used Agilent's SystemVue LTE baseband verification library to validate Xilinx's LTE reference IP against the latest version of the LTE standard," said Bill Wilkie, wireless and signal processing director for Xilinx in Europe. "When combined with Agilent's N5106A PXB, SystemVue not only saved us weeks of validation time, but also it gave us confidence that our LTE Layer 1 reference design was 'production ready' for our customers. SystemVue clearly added value to our traditional Layer 1 design and verification process. As a result, we will be using SystemVue more in the future."

Price: Starts at $17,000
Availability: In early March

For more details visit www.agilent.com