The solution is built on the PXIe modular test platform, leveraging the NI Vector Signal Transceiver (VST) that you can customize to meet your specific I/O performance requirements. On its own, the VST can transmit and receive TT&C and SATCOM data link signals performing key signal fidelity measurements, such as modulation accuracy, transmit power, and more. The VST can be augmented with a PXIe FlexRIO coprocessor with full-rate streaming to and from an open FPGA capable of hosting real-time, inline signal processing and channel models. With a coprocessor configuration, the VST is transformed into an RF channel emulator—unlocking the ability to do full system-level validation.

Streaming data between multiple FPGA devices requires knowledge and expertise in high-speed data transfer technologies and how to implement them on FPGA with low resource usage. The NI Data Link Test Framework provides a ready-to-use MGT streaming interface for the following systems:

• Coprocessor-to-Vector Signal Transceiver (VST)
• VST-to-coprocessor
• Coprocessor-to-coprocessor

The NI Data Link Test Framework uses the Aurora 64B/66B high-speed serial protocol to stream the data with minimal setup and overhead.

A streaming link is defined by the communication path from data generation IP to data consumer IP. The NI Data Link Test Framework communication path is defined by an interface layer and a protocol layer. This approach allows the Data Link System Component API (DLsc) to work with multiple instruments and protocols.

A signal modulator is an example of this architecture. A coprocessor implements a signal modulation algorithm and transmits the modulated data (complex baseband) to a Vector Signal Transceiver (VST). The NI-RFSG process on the VST consumes the data and uses it to generate an RF signal.

Learn more about the NI Data Link Test Framework host API, FPGA API, and the VST streaming bitfiles.