Communications

Communication applications range from simple RFID transponders and keyless entry systems to cell phones and cognitive radios. By using software-defined modular instruments, you can maximize your equipment investment by creating a test system that is both reusable and adaptable to changes in the test device. Scalable from benchtop prototyping to production test, modular instruments are well suited to generate I/Q, IF, and RF signals for your applications. National Instruments offers a suite of modular instruments, including digital I/O, precision DC, audio analyzers, and switches, so you can build a comprehensive communications device test system. The result is an integrated test platform that can keep pace with new innovations.

Industry Resources

RFID
Interest in RFID technology has skyrocketed since Walmart mandated its use for product tracking. Learn about RFID, including background information, applications, and test solutions built on National Instruments LabVIEW. Learn More »

GSM/EDGE
GSM is the predominant cellular standard in the world. Learn how National Instruments Alliance Partner AmFax has built a test station based on National Instruments PXI for GSM base station and handset testing. Learn More »

ZigBee
ZigBee is a wireless standard for personal area network (PAN) sensor monitoring and control. Learn how National Instruments Alliance Partner SeaSolve has developed a test suite including compliance testing for ZigBee. Learn More »

Broadcast Radio (AM, FM, RDS, XM, Sirius)
Get more information on broadcast radio test solutions from Averna and AmFax. These solutions are built on the National Instruments LabVIEW and PXI platform. Learn More »

Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS)
All vehicles in the United States must use tire pressure monitoring systems by the end of 2006. National Instruments Alliance Partner Wineman Technologies has designed a tire pressure monitoring solution based on National Instruments PXI. Learn More »

Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a personal area network technology that has made its way onto many consumer electronic devices. National Instruments Alliance Partner AmFax has developed a test solution for Bluetooth based on National Instruments LabVIEW and PXI. Learn More »

802.11 and Wi-fi Test Solutions
IEEE 802.11, or WiFi, has become synonymous with wireless Internet. Learn how National Instruments Alliance Partner SeaSolve has developed a test suite for WiFi. Learn More »

Spectrum or Spectral Monitoring and Signal Intelligence
Spectrum monitoring provides users, regulators and intelligence groups with valuable information as to how the spectrum is being utilized. Learn more about spectral monitoring and signal intelligence and how to implement a system based on PXI RF equipment. Learn More »

Customer Solutions

Spectrum Monitoring and Interference Analysis Using NI PXI

Challenge: Increasing the functionality and expandability of a spectrum analyzer for improved RF environment monitoring and interference management.
Solution: Pairing National Instruments PXI hardware with the OASIS spectrum monitoring package to deploy multiple spectrum analyzers with high throughput and improved service.

NI TestStand Provides the Framework to Texas Instruments $4 Billion Division

Challenge: Characterizing Texas Instruments (TI) increasingly complex wireless and RF devices in a global design environment.
Solution: Streamlining TI characterization process with test development, management, and automation software powered by National Instruments LabVIEW and NI TestStand.

Optimal Pilot-to-Data Power Ratio Simulator for MIMO-OFDM Using NI LabVIEW 7.1

Challenge: Allocating a fixed amount of power in MIMO-OFDM, such as IEEE 802.16 and 802.11n, to data and pilot symbols to transmit data and estimate the channel.
Solution: Using National Instruments LabVIEW 7.1 to help design MIMO-OFDM systems.

Resolving ZigBee IEEE 802.15.4 PHY Layer Test Challenges Using a WPAN Test Suite Based on NI LabVIEW and RF PXI Instruments

Challenge: Designing and developing an efficient, cost-effective, and time-saving test bench with a good platform for testing the PHY layer receiver and transmitter functionality of a Zigbee device, for conformance to the IEEE 802.15.4-2003 (2,450 MHz) standard, to replace expensive, inflexible, and time-consuming conventional test procedures.
Solution: Developing an automated PXI-based Zigbee WPAN compliance test suite using the National Instruments LabVIEW, the NI PXI-5660 RF signal analyzer, and the NI PXI-5670 RF signal generator.

Explore all customer solutions »

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