Emulate Real-World RF Channels for System Validation
Engineers validating RF communication systems need a scalable way to test performance with real-world conditions prior to deployment. To guarantee deterministic, repeatable results, it’s more effective to combine model-based simulations with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing. In a HIL setup with model based simulation, RF systems can interact with a realistic environment in real time.
Application Requirements
- Test and validate point-to-point links for air-to-ground, air-to-air, and satellite RF communication systems
- Emulate multiple RF impairments—delay, doppler, fading, path loss, and interference – in real time.
- Integrate with third-party scenario tools or custom models for air and orbital simulations.
- Validate multiple channels with and scale across multiple platforms.
NI Channel Emulator System Software (CHESS)
CHESS software IP independently controls RF channel properties in real time. It pairs model-based simulation with HIL for repeatable, lab-grade results.
- The PXI Vector Signal Transceiver (VST) provides up to 4 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth for transmit and receive channels.
- The NI PXI High-Speed Serial Instrument consists of high-performance FPGAs programmable using LabVIEW FPGA Module for maximum application-specific customization and reuse.
- The Channel Emulator System Software works with the NI PXI High-Speed Serial Instruments to emulate channel parameters for transmit and receive.
- The modular PXI Express platform scales and synchronizes with your test system for multiple channels.
Solution Advantages
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Adds channels and increases instantaneous bandwidth (IBW) and data-streaming capabilities for quick and sustainable scalability.
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Use COTS hardware with a software-based approach to support a common, single-hardware platform for validation and parametric testing.
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Evaluate system performance across channel emulator parameters such as Doppler, delay, losses, impairments, and interference.
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Integrate with most commercially available third-party or customer software for scenario generation and orbital simulation.
Watch a Ground-to-Satellite Channel Emulation Demo
Test and Validate Point-to-Point Links
In this demo, CHESS runs as a satellite link emulator on a PXI system that includes a PXI VST and a third-party scenario tool, Ansys STK, which updates channel model parameters in real time from simulated satellite–ground links.
BUILDING YOUR SOLUTION WITH NI ECOSYSTEM
NI offers a variety of solution integration options customized to your application-specific requirements. You can use your own internal integration teams for full system control or leverage the expertise of NI and our worldwide NI Partner Network to obtain a turnkey solution.
The NI Partner Network is a global community of domain, application, and overall test development experts working closely with NI to meet the needs of the engineering community. NI Partners are trusted solution providers, systems integrators, consultants, product developers, and services and sales channel experts skilled across a wide range of industries and application areas.
NI works with customers throughout the life of an application, delivering training, technical support, consultation and integration services, and maintenance programs. Teams can discover new skills by participating in NI-specific and geographic user groups and build proficiency with online and in-person training.
Explore Our Scalable RF Channel Emulator for Data-Link Validation
Often, air and satellite data links require a flexible HIL approach to validate performance under changing channel conditions. Learn how CHESS supports deterministic, scenario-driven RF channel emulation for point-to-point link testing.
An NI Partner is a business entity independent from NI and has no agency or joint-venture relationship and does not form part of any business associations with NI.