Keithley Instruments, Inc., a
leader in solutions for emerging measurement needs, has released the
industry's leading 4X4 MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) RF test
system for R&D and production testing of next generation RF
communications equipment and devices. Keithley's MIMO RF test system
consists of its new Model 2920 Vector Signal Generator (VSG) and Model
2820 Vector Signal Analyzer (VSA), Model 2895 MIMO Synchronization
Unit, and powerful MIMO Signal Analysis Software.
No other MIMO test system in the industry offers:
- support for 4X4 MIMO applications
- support for a multitude of commercial standards, including
cellular, WiMAX, and WLAN
- ±1 nanosecond signal sampler synchronization
- less then 1 nanosecond peak-to-peak signal sampler jitter
- less than 1 degree of peak-to-peak RF-carrier phase jitter.
By allowing for tight multi-unit synchronization with these
high performance measurement specifications, the new Keithley system
can support MIMO measurements on demanding signals such as 802.11n
40MHz WLAN MIMO and 802.16e Wave 2 Mobile WiMAX.
MIMO is a growing technology that uses multiple radios for
both transmitting and receiving data. In RF communication devices, it
increases data throughput rates without the need for additional
bandwidth. Keithley's 4X4 MIMO test capability provides the most
advanced, high performance MIMO testing platform available for future
product development with the ability to test the most complex signal
structures, including WiMAX Wave 2 and 4G LTE (long term evolution) and
UMB (ultra mobile broadband), with a simple software upgrade.
Highly Accurate and
Repeatable Measurements up to 6GHz
Forming the core of Keithley's MIMO RF test solution is a new
RF signal generator and an RF signal analyzer that support expanded
frequency ranges to 6GHz. The latest addition to Keithley's growing RF
product line is the Model 2920 Vector Signal Generator. The Model 2920
is available in two configurations with maximum frequencies of 4GHz or
6GHz and can generate signals as low as 10MHz. An optional 80MHz
arbitrary waveform generator bandwidth with 100MSamples of waveform
memory gives users the capability of testing a vast array of commercial
communications signals, including GSM, EDGE, W-CDMA, cdma2000, SISO
WLAN, and the industry's most demanding 802.11n 40MHz WLAN MIMO signal.
Keithley's new Model 2820 Vector Signal Analyzer comes with
40MHz of bandwidth as standard in either a 4GHz or 6GHz configuration.
The Model 2820 is highly versatile and can test a range of signals,
including GSM, EDGE, W-CDMA (uplink/downlink), and cdma2000, along with
a multitude of WLAN signals, including the 802.11n 40MHz WLAN MIMO
signal in both MIMO and SISO configurations.
The tight synchronization of signals and low sampler and RF
carrier phase jitter featured in Keithley's MIMO RF test solution allow
for highly accurate and repeatable measurements that ensure high
product quality and high production yields. In addition, the Model 2820
and Model 2920 can be set up in 2-, 3-, or 4-channel configurations.
These dual-purpose instruments can be used either as standalone
instruments or as part of a 4X4 MIMO test system, so users don't need
to dedicate individual signal analyzer or signal generator units to a
task.
MIMO Synchronization Unit
Provides Precise and Stable Alignment
The Model 2895 MIMO Synchronization Unit provides highly
synchronized signals to the system instruments, which allows for up to
4X4 MIMO test synchronization. This gives the system a highly precise
and stable alignment between up to four signal analyzers and
generators. The Model 2895 distributes common signals such as a local
oscillator and common clock and precise trigger to all the instruments
connected to the system and allows accurate and repeatable measurements
of OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) MIMO signals.
Industry Leading Software
Analysis Tools
Also new is Keithley's Model 280111 WLAN 802.11n MIMO Signal
Analysis Software. It is the industry's leading PC-based analysis tool
for either single-channel or multi-channel analysis of 802.11x signals.
This fast and powerful software tool features an extensive measurement
suite for analyzing all 802.11x signals and is also capable of
supporting 4X4 MIMO channel configurations. The software user interface
is easy to set up and comes with a SCPI command set to quickly and
easily interface with test systems.
Keithley's 4X4 MIMO RF test systems are ideal for research and
development engineers and scientists at WLAN and WiMAX design centers
and research and development centers. In addition, test engineers
involved with 3GPP cell phone production and RF power amplifier
manufacturing, as well as W-CDMA base stations and other wireless
connectivity solutions in defense and aerospace applications, can also
take advantage of the speed, accuracy, and flexibility that these
powerful test systems offer.
Keithley's next-generation RF test instruments are designed to
meet the challenges faced by designers and manufacturers of today's
wireless technologies and are suitable for most future technologies.
Keithley's RF test instruments are built on a next-generation
instrument platform that uses state-of-the-art RF and high-speed DSP
technology to reduce the cost of test and shorten time to market. They
provide the measurement accuracy needed to ensure high product quality
and production yields and high test speed and low equipment cost needed
to reduce the cost of test.