Highlights

Keysight's S8820A PROPSIM FS16 Channel Emulation Toolset enables you to perform in-lab benchmarking of devices, base stations, digital radios, and sensor systems across the entire product workflow – from research and development to acceptance and field performance optimization. The toolset is based on the compact PROPSIM FS16 channel emulator, which emulates the dynamic radio channels between transmitters and receivers in real time. It cost-effectively supports uni-directional and bi-directional fading test configurations required in wireless testing across 5G, LTE and aerospace and defense applications.

The high modularity of the PROPSIM FS16 channel emulator with flexible uni- and bi-directional operation of each RF port enables users to implement cost-effective fading performance test systems for:

PROPSIM FS16 supports a wide RF frequency range, from 3MHz to 44GHz, and an ultrawide instantaneous signal bandwidth feature for realistic, repeatable low-cost laboratory testing in the following use cases:

Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs)

3GPP Release 17 paves the way for 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTNs). Integrating satellites and other aerial communication systems with terrestrial network infrastructure extends the range of 5G to remote areas. NTNs enable new and exciting use cases, including rural broadband, aircraft and high-speed train connectivity, network resilience, and global freight tracking. Explore Keysight’s comprehensive emulation and test solutions portfolio to accelerate NTN innovation.

End-to-End Real-World Performance Testing in a Lab

PROPSIM FS16 Radio Channel Emulator F8820A

5G introduces new advanced technologies, including wider signal bandwidths, mmWave frequencies and massive MIMO with hybrid beamforming. To address associated complexities, Keysight was the first to market with a 5G NR channel emulation solution, supporting the widest signal bandwidth and highest number of fading channels.

The S8820A PROPSIM FS16 Channel Emulation Toolset is designed for end-to-end realistic and repeatable real-world performance testing in the lab. The solution addresses all 5G NR key technical requirements, including:

  • Signal bandwidths up to 400MHz
  • Continuous carrier aggregation (CA) schemes up to 1.2GHz
  • Massive MIMO using radio channel models defined in TR38.901 for both conducted and over-the-air (OTA) testing, across sub-6GHz and mmWave frequencies

The toolset supports a wide range of deployment scenarios:

  • 5G NR non-standalone (NSA) mode (using LTE as an anchor cell)
  • 5G NR standalone (SA) mode
  • Coexistence scenarios – 5G NR together with 3G and/or 2G cells
  • Wi-Fi offloading scenarios
  • 802.11ax capable access points and devices up to 7.2GHz

Extend Your Channel Emulation Toolset

By combining the S8820A PROPSIM FS16 Channel Emulation Toolset with Keysight's E7770A Common Interface Unit and Keysight’s remote radio head (M1740A mmWave Transceiver for 5G), the solution extends to also address frequencies in 6-12GHz and mmWave 24/28/37/44GHz bands. Users can validate device and base station performance over-the-air (OTA) with multi OTA probe chambers designed for test cases across the device and base station workflow.

PROPSIM 5G RF fader platform seamlessly integrates with Keysight’s 5G Network Emulation Solution portfolio to coherently emulate complex fading test scenarios with protocol signaling for complete end-to-end device performance testing in sub 6GHz and mmWave bands.

  • Massive MIMO Interoperability and Performance Testing
  • Device MIMO Over-the-Air Testing
  • mmWave Interoperability and Performance Testing
  • mmWave Device Multi-beam MIMO Over-the-Air Testing
S8708A 5G advanced performance test toolset

Channel Studio Geometric Channel Modeling Tool

F9860A Channel Studio - radio propagation channel modeling software

Extend your S8820A toolset with the F9860000A Channel Studio Geometric Channel Modeling tool. The tool supports importing 3D antenna models and offers 3GPP-defined channel models to test V2X safety applications as well as on board Wi-Fi and cellular connection. It also supports device-to-device topologies.

F9860A Channel Studio is a state-of-the-art radio propagation channel modeling software. It supports user-defined 3D spatial scenarios and dynamic modeling of movement for 5G testing:

  • 3GPP 38.901 CDL FR1 and FR2 models
  • UMi, UMa, O2I, and I2O
  • WINNER
  • SCME

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