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Multichannel RF Recording and Playback for System Validation

Engineers and operators need to carry out RF data recording in labs, anechoic chambers, or open-air ranges for validating devices under test (DUTs). This stored data is often reused for RF playback. These applications require full rate, multichannel, phase-coherent systems, including calibration routines, to capture the test environment correctly. These systems also would ideally meet the following requirements:

 

  • Reliable recording of raw I/Q data
  • Scalability as channel counts, data rates, and instantaneous bandwidths increase
  • Channel-to-channel phase coherence
  • Local and remote operation of fielded recording systems

NI RF Recording Solution

  • NI RF Recording Software may be used with compatible PXI Vector Signal Transceivers (VSTs) to accomplish wideband, multichannel, phase-coherent RF recordings
  • PXIe-5841 VST provides 1 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth with local oscillator (LO) sharing for phase coherence across channels 
  • PXIe-7903 High-Speed Serial Instrument utilizes a Xilinx Virtex UltraScale+ FPGA for data aggregation, inline signal processing, and offloading to external servers 
  • PXIe-8267 Data Storage Modules allow streaming to disk with sustained, reliable data throughput 
  • CDA-2990 Clock Distribution Devices provide a common 10 MHz Reference Clock to help synchronize multiple channels
  • Plugs into NI InstrumentStudio™ Software for manual control and integration with other instruments, or uses gRPC for remote control from languages including LabVIEW, Python, and C/C++

Solution Advantages

  • 1 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth recording on more than 8 channels, with phase synchronization across the full instantaneous bandwidth

  • Independent or shared LO configurations, for either individual center frequencies per channel or phase alignment across channels

  • Built-in calibration procedures for LO power, multichannel amplitude correction, and phase coherence across channels

  • Up to 300 TB of data storage at transfer rates up to 40 GB/s per server

  • Software features a GUI to simplify setup and utilization of hardware and includes APIs that can be used locally on the controller or remotely over a network connection

  • Using calibrated, instrument-grade VST hardware allows parametric test and RF recording to be executed with a single hardware platform

Record and Playback Systems with PXI Modular Instruments

Learn about NI’s RF Recording Solution

See how NI’s RF Recording Software allows you to use PXI Vector Signal Transceivers to accomplish wideband, multichannel, phase-coherent RF recordings.

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.

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