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There is no doubt that 5G is receiving a great deal of attention.

However, the realization of 5G networks requires the proper test
platforms. A number of test-and-measurement companies are
working to develop novel test solutions in order to make 5G a re-
ality. Aspects include over-the-air (OTA) testing, advanced milli-
meter-wave solutions, and more. Examine some of these develop-
ments in the following articles.
Chris DeMartino
Technology Editor

TABLEOFCONTENTS
2
| Chapter 1: VNAs Prove to be Essential Tools for 5G
Communications
4 | Chapter 2: Innovation Leads to Results in Millimeter-Wave
Network Analysis
8
| Chapter 3: Partnership Propels 5G Development
10 | Chapter 4: New Technology Redefines Channel Emulation
for 5G Millimeter-Wave Systems
13 | Chapter 5: 5G Goes Over the Air
15 | More Resources from Microwaves & RF

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WALT STRICKLER, Product Marketing Manager, Anritsu Sponsored by

www.anritsu.com
Copyright © 2018 by Informa, Inc.
All rights reserved.

CHAPTER 1:

VNAs PROVE
TO BE ESSENTIAL
TOOLS COMMUNICATIONS
FOR 5G
The ultimate success of next-generation 5G communication systems will rely heavily on the
measurement capabilities of vector network analyzers.

V
ector network analyzers (VNAs) are general-
5G COMMUNICATIONS Antenna
purpose measurement instruments that can be Millimeter-wave measurements
SYSTEM components
used in a wide variety of applications. A perfect
example is exemplified in their role in the 5G RF components
space, which has become hotbed of activity for
VNAs. Figure 1 presents a basic description of a 5G
communication system. Cable, connectors,
and backplanes E/O O/E
To achieve the data rates desired for 5G communications, it is
critical that the channels through which the data is passed do not
DATA CENTER
constrain or degrade the data rate. While the information being
conveyed is digital, the signals are fundamentally analog. As data
rates increase, analog behavior becomes more critical.
BASE STATION
VNAs are excellent tools for measuring signal integrity and
diagnosing issues when data rates fall short of expectations. For 1. This diagram provides a simplified view of a 5G
example, VNAs are good for analyzing real-world channel defects, communications system.
like exceeded tolerances on printed-circuit-board (PCB) artwork,
as well as plating and dielectric thickness variations. They are able display an eye diagram based on simulated data being transmitted
to evaluate connector performance, construction, and how well over a measured channel.
connectors are mounted. VNAs can also analyze multi-layer PCB To move the massive amounts of data traffic expected in 5G com-
stackups and find imperfect vias or ground-plane issues. munication systems between data centers and base stations, digital
Converting frequency measurements to the time domain, signals will often be converted from electrical to optical signals and
VNAs can even measure the distance to a fault to pinpoint back. VNAs can be used to help determine the efficiency at which
where issues occur. Some VNAs, such as the Anritsu ShockLine these conversions happen. When combined with a well-character-
MS46500B series, offer an Advanced Time Domain option that ized optical modulator or photodiode, VNAs can determine the
enables signal-integrity engineers to measure parameters such transfer function of optical transmitters, receivers, and transceivers,
as time-domain reflection (TDR), time-domain transmission including key parameters such as bandwidth, flatness, phase linear-
(TDT), and crosstalk. Furthermore, these analyzers are able to ity, and group delay.

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MICROWAVES & RF LIBRARY CHAPTER 1: VNAs PROVE TO BE ESSENTIAL TOOLS FOR 5G COMMUNICATIONS

2. This VNA is transmission of microwave and millimeter-wave sig-

able to perform
measurements
at E-band
frequencies.
Testing 5G Base-Station
Components
At the base station, unparalleled per-
formance will be required of 5G radios
and their RF components. Getting the
most out of these components requires
a deeper understanding of their behav-
ior. VNAs are used to make measure-
ments as early in the design process
as the wafer stage, where S-parameter 3. Approximately the size of a deck
measurements can be conducted on of playing cards, this module enables
devices to ensure expected perfor- measurements up to 145 GHz.
mance or build device models.
Wafer-level measurements pose a unique set of challenges—
VNAs need to de-embed the effects of fixtures and probes that
enable the measurements. More accurate models lead to shorter
design cycles as everyone races to be the first to offer 5G radio solu-
tions. VNAs that cover frequency ranges from 70 kHz to 145 GHz
in a single coaxial connection and utilize a wide range of standard
embedding/de-embedding techniques allow signal-integrity engi-
neers to realize the most accurate device models.
Lower-Cost Solutions
Among the performance requirements being placed on 5G radios
is the need to handle much wider bandwidths, requiring radios to
operate at higher frequencies than traditional communication sys-
tems. The move to microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies will
require many more cell sites to account for the greater path losses
at these frequencies.
Combined with historically more expensive microwave and
millimeter-wave instrumentation, there is a need for dramatic
reductions in cost for measurement equipment, such as VNAs. As
a result, dedicated cost-effective VNAs have emerged (Fig. 2). It
addresses a market need by offering an unprecedented price point
for an E-band VNA, covering frequencies from 55 to 92 GHz in an
instrument ready to use right from the box for mass production of
E-band components.
The last stage performed by 5G communication systems is the
nals to the devices that will utilize them. To achieve
5G’s required data rates, many infrastructure compa-
nies are employing multiple-input, multiple-output
(MIMO) technologies with antenna systems employ-
ing large numbers of array elements, known as massive
MIMO. This poses challenges for VNAs, which have
been historically used to characterize antenna systems.
The geometries associated with microwave and
millimeter-wave components are much smaller than
traditional RF components. This makes it difficult to
do connectorized measurements, forcing companies
to instead perform over-the-air (OTA) measure-
ments. Combined with the large number of array
elements and the significantly greater path losses
at the high frequencies, the VNAs used to charac-
terize the antenna systems must be much smaller
and account for the multiple array elements.
To address this issue, there has been an emer-
gence of small microwave/millimeter-wave mea-
surement modules tethered to a base VNA model
to get closer to the devices-under-test (DUTs).
One such module is shown in Fig. 3—it enables
measurements up to 145 GHz and is about the size
of a deck of playing cards.
Leveraging New Technology
To address the numerous aforementioned challenges facing
VNAs and the world of 5G, VNA suppliers must take advantage
of innovative technologies. For example, Anritsu’s application of
nonlinear-transmission-line (NLTL) technology in vector network
analysis and other test instrumentation has proven to provide high
performance, robust, frequency scalable, and cost-effective test
solutions.
NLTL technology redefines the level of performance and size of
instrumentation while lowering the cost usually associated with
high frequency test and measurement equipment, helping to usher
in the next wave of microwave/millimeter-wave instruments. It
accelerates next-generation product development and lowers pro-
duction costs with the portability to install and maintain next-gen-
eration radio systems.
VNAs are an essential tool for enabling 5G communication sys-
tems. They can be used in applications ranging from data-center
signal-integrity measurements, through characterization of the
devices and components incorporated in fiber connectivity and
millimeter-wave radios in next-generation base stations, to OTA
measurements required to address massive-MIMO technologies. n
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SUREN SINGH, Industry Application Specialist, Keysight Technologies Sponsored by

www.keysight.com
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All rights reserved.

CHAPTER 2:

INNOVATION
LEADS TO RESULTS
IN MILLIMETER-WAVE These broadband network analyzer
solutions have been unleashed

NETWORK ANALYSIS to meet the growing need for

millimeter-wave testing.

T
he characterization and modeling of broadband devic- (EHF) devices, making them more viable in commercial and
es presents many challenges, and these become more consumer applications. For example, developers using comple-
difficult as new-generation designs move up to mil- mentary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology have
limeter-wave frequencies. When assessing a vector produced devices with fT greater than 500 GHz, and some are
network analyzer (VNA), which is the most commonly aiming to extend this cost-effective technology into the terahertz
used tool, the crucial attributes beyond single-sweep (THz) range.
frequency range include stability and uncertainty across the entire Keysight is among the firms developing EHF components. The
measurement band. company’s in-house capabilities in microwave semiconductor
A new solution is a broadband millimeter-wave network ana- technology have led to the creation of a next-generation indi-
lyzer, which provides exceptional measurement performance with
stability within 0.015 dB and 0.15° over a 24-hour period. Keysight
Technologies’ N5290A and N5291A broadband millimeter-wave
network analyzers cover a frequency range of 900 Hz to 120 GHz
(Fig. 1). They leverage the company’s capabilities in terms of
metrology and calibration, providing traceable, metrology-grade
results across the full frequency range.

Innovating in Technology and Opening New Doors

Millimeter-wave technology has been
around for decades, primarily
in aerospace/defense and
backhaul applications
where the benefits have
justified the high costs
of development, manufac-
turing, and support. More
recently, advancements
in fabrication have been Fig. 1. The broadband millimeter-wave
driving down the cost of network analyzer solution includes an advanced VNA, a test-
extremely high frequency set controller, and compact frequency extenders.

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MICROWAVES & RF LIBRARY CHAPTER 2: INNOVATION LEADS TO RESULTS IN MILLIMETER-WAVE NETWORK ANALYSIS
Fig. 2. Providing high accuracy and stability, the companion
USB thermocouple power sensor enables users to quickly and
confidently make average-power measurements.
um-phosphide (InP) process that supports transistor switching
frequencies above 300 GHz. This makes it possible to achieve
wider bandwidth in the integrated circuits (ICs) used in test
equipment and other devices.
Overcoming the Obstacles to Better Measurements
Two key issues—guiding signals and generating power—are
especially challenging in the creation of commercial, off-the-shelf
test equipment that produces accurate, repeatable results at mil-
limeter-wave frequencies. Waveguide is a crucial example, as it
must be as close to perfect as possible to ensure proper internal
operation of a millimeter-wave instrument. Managing signals
between 100 GHz and 1 THz requires use of different waveguide
bands. At such short wavelengths, any skew in a flange connection
can cause unwanted reflections that will degrade signal quality
and reduce signal power.
Generating adequate power levels is challenging because it is
difficult to maintain amplifier efficiency and linearity simultane-
ously at these frequencies. This tends to limit the maximum power
level that a signal generator or network analyzer can produce.
Once these problems have been solved, the next big issues con-
cern calibration of the instrument and its surrounding test setup.
It is difficult to accurately calibrate power levels at extremely high
frequencies. However, precise control of power is essential to
ensure measurement accuracy and avoid damage to the device-
under-test (DUT).
For novices, millimeter-wave measurements may seem to
involve a combination of art, science, and luck. In reality, engi-
neers will benefit from a fresh start: set aside old habits, take a
deliberate approach, and adjust all expectations. For example, it’s
necessary to pay careful attention to every stage of a measurement
setup: instruments, cables, and accessories. This means taking
time to ensure pristine connections, clean upconversion of output
signals, precise downconversion of incoming signals, low-level
internal spurious signals, and well-managed internal harmonics.
These factors are crucial to successful network analysis and the
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characterization of passive or active devices (S- or X-parameters,
respectively).
Uniting the Essential Measurement Capabilities
Keysight has addressed these details with its new broadband
millimeter-wave solutions. The measurement platform is a PNA
or PNA-X VNA operating at either 26.5 or 67 GHz. The other core
elements are a two- or four-port millimeter-wave test-set control-
ler and a set of compact frequency extenders (“smart modules”).
The latter include ruggedized 1.0-mm connectors, convection
cooling, and built-in characterization data to enable fully calibrat-
ed port power at turn-on. To simplify benchtop measurements,
engineers can mount the frequency extenders on an optional
desktop positioner.
The new solutions produce measurements that are traceable
to national measurement institutes. The foundation is a 1.0-mm
calibration kit, and the result is traceable measurement uncertain-
ty for key performance parameters such as residual calibration
errors, system dynamic accuracy, and stability. A companion USB
thermocouple power sensor (U8489A) covers a frequency range
of dc to 120 GHz and simplifies source-power calibration with
a 1.0-mm connector and single-connection convenience (Fig. 2).
To further enhance measurement results, the user can choose to
apply automatic fixture de-embedding to connectorized measure-
ments or perform calibration at the probe tips to enhance the
accuracy of on-wafer measurements.
Enhancing Stability and Precision with Mechanical
Innovations
At millimeter-wave frequencies, the overall performance of a
measurement system also depends on its physical and mechan-
ical design. Inside the new smart modules, Keysight has applied
advanced machining capabilities to fabricate wideband coupler
technology that provides exceptional stability during measure-
ment calibration.
In the test-set controllers and smart frequency-extender mod-
ules, ruggedized 1.0-mm test ports ensure repeatable connections
from measurement to measurement, day after day. This reduces
calibration uncertainty and further improves system-level mea-
surement precision.
Testing Multiple Components in One Setup
New-generation monolithic microwave integrated circuits
(MMICs) incorporate components that operate in different fre-
quency ranges: baseband, RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave. A
VNA with single-sweep coverage from Hz to GHz enables devel-
opers to test all those components in one test setup.
Wider frequency coverage also reduces the cost of the test solu-
tion. For example, a 900-Hz start frequency in a millimeter-wave
network analyzer may eliminate the need to purchase a dedicated
low-frequency VNA. An added benefit is this: The ability to use
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one analyzer saves time and reduces complexity by streamlining
the development of test system software.
Greater integration inside MMICs and other wideband designs
often means testing more functions per device through fewer
access points. The need to connect, disconnect, and recon-
nect the DUT to a VNA or spectrum analyzer is inconvenient
and time-consuming, whether done manually or automatically
through a switch matrix.
The most convenient solution is a VNA with a single-con-
nection/multiple-measurement (SCMM) architecture. As imple-
Fig 3. The combination of SCMM capability and touch-enabled measurement
applications accelerates and simplifies the characterization of gain
compression (top right), differential devices (middle right), and harmonic
content (lower right).
mented in the PNA-X network analyzers, engineers can measure
key characteristics of passive or active devices with one set of
connections: S-parameters, noise figure, gain compression, total
harmonic distortion, intermodulation distortion, and more. For
additional versatility, the SCMM capability supports the PNA
family’s spectrum analysis measurement application.
Simplifying Complex Tasks with Measurement Appli-
cations
To help users save time and easily configure complex tasks,
measurement applications address specific tests
and enable deeper insights into device perfor-
mance. The capabilities include:
• Scalar mixer/converter measurements: Support
scalar characterization of mixers and frequency
converters
• Gain-compression application: Provides complete
characterization of amplifiers and frequency con-
verters
• Noise-figure measurements: Enable further char-
acterization of frequency-converter performance
• Differential and I/Q devices application: Simplifies
testing of amplifiers and mixers
• Spectrum analyzer application: Provides calibrat-
ed multi-channel spectrum analysis up to 120
GHz, or into the THz range with compatible fre-
quency extenders
These measurement applications are also
touch-enabled, further simplifying complex opera-
tions and providing an intuitive approach to inves-
tigating, characterizing, and troubleshooting broad-
band millimeter-wave devices (Fig. 3).

Leveraging a Common Platform

Fig. 4. The interface includes tasks-specific guides such as this “Millimeter
Configuration” screen that helps new or infrequent users achieve better
results.
Good usability is beneficial when performing
basic measurements such as S-parameters, and
it becomes essential when delving into complex
tasks such as the characterization of mixers and
other frequency-conversion devices. To help ensure
meaningful results in less time, many customers
asked Keysight to build measurement guides into
its instruments and to present those tools on the
screen of the analyzer. This is an important con-
cept, given the time pressures and design require-
ments most engineers face. It’s also a logical and
feasible idea that utilizes the processor, memory,
and display resources in the latest VNAs.
To address these needs, the Keysight design team
pursued parallel development along two tracks:
measurement performance and front-panel usabil-
ity. To provide a foundation for next-generation

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MICROWAVES & RF LIBRARY CHAPTER 2: INNOVATION LEADS TO RESULTS IN MILLIMETER-WAVE NETWORK ANALYSIS
Keysight VNAs, the development team created a common plat-
form that leverages the best attributes of the established ENA and
PNA network analyzer families.
Two guiding principles were paramount: Be inviting and
intuitive for new users, but remain familiar and comfortable for
existing users. The result is a graphical user interface (GUI) that is
helpful to engineers who, from time to time, need to make a vari-
ety of measurements—simple or complex—while characterizing
or troubleshooting a variety of RF components or subsystems. It
is also useful to experienced users who occasionally need to make
highly complex measurements and will benefit from reminders
about the crucial steps and settings (Fig. 4).
All users will appreciate the familiarity of touch-enabled GUI
technology akin to that used in smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
The updates include the following attributes:
• 12.1-in. widescreen display with multi-touch GUI
• Easy access to frequently used functions
• Quick setups using touch-activated tabbed softkeys and dialog
menus
• Intuitive single- and multi-touch gestures to drag-and-drop or
magnify traces
• Versatile, touch-driven marker capabilities
For added flexibility, the user can also customize the placement
of traces and windows on the analyzer screen. Example capabil-
ities include optimal arrangement of traces from multiple mea-
surement channels and multi-page measurement displays through
a “tabbed sheet” function.
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Taking the Mystique Out of Millimeter-Wave
The N5290A and N5291A broadband millimeter-wave solutions
embody Keysight’s ongoing mission to provide easier access to
accurate, repeatable measurements at ever-higher frequencies and
wider bandwidths. Built on a foundation of electronic and mechan-
ical innovations, the N5290A and N5291A deliver metrology-grade
precision that ensures exceptional system-level performance. With
these tools, today’s developers can take the mystique out of milli-
meter-wave technology and confidently characterize and optimize
their devices from 900 Hz to 120 GHz. n
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CHAPTER 3:

PARTNERSHIP
PROPELS 5G
NYU WIRELESS and National Instruments (NI) are teaming up to develop the advanced solutions
needed to bring 5G to fruition.

R
ecently, I had the opportunity to attend the fourth ing for RF, communications, and software-defined radio (SDR)
Brooklyn 5G Summit, which took place April 19-21 initiatives at NI, led a walk-through of the demo. “This is one of
at the New York University (NYU) Tandon School the first OTA demos based on Verizon’s 5G specification,” said
of Engineering in Brooklyn, N.Y. A wide range Kimery. “What’s interesting is that it’s actually a MIMO setup at 28
of 5G topics were discussed at the event, such as GHz—and it’s the full spec. You can actually test the full bit rate.”
massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO), Kimery continued, “We announced the baseband portion of the
5G network architecture, and much more. In addition, the system last year. And we recently announced our 28-GHz heads,
exhibition featured a number of demonstrations. which have both transmit and receive capability. Another key
One company that had a notable presence at the Brooklyn 5G technology is the phased-array antennas. This technology allows
Summit is National Instruments (NI;
www.ni.com). NI made headlines in
the days prior by announcing a gener-
ous donation to the NYU WIRELESS
academic research center. The donation
is intended to assist research efforts at
NYU WIRELESS regarding 5G com-
munications and beyond.  Thanks to
that donation, NYU WIRELESS labs
will be able to take advantage of hard-
ware and software from NI’s flexible
software-defined-radio (SDR) solu-
tions.

Over-The-Air Demonstration
Visitors to the exhibition were able
to take in several demonstrations from
NI. One of them was the same 5G
over-the-air (OTA) test solution that
was first shown at the IEEE Wireless
Communications and Networking
Conference (WCNC) in March.
James Kimery, director of market- 1. This a photo of a 5G OTA test solution based on Verizon’s specification.

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looks like in real-time.”

Channel Emulation
The NI donation is also spurring channel-emu-
lation development at NYU WIRELESS. Kimery
said, “With channel sounding, you get an accurate
picture of the channel. But now you want to try
some different things without having to go over the
air.” In essence, channel emulation allows one to
test real hardware without even needing to transmit
signals over the air.
Aditya Dhananjay, a postdoctoral research fellow
at NYU, is driving channel-emulation development
efforts. He stated, “If you have to test wireless
systems, you need to do testing in various scenar-
ios. This over-the-air testing is very expensive and
time-consuming.
2. The “Porcupine” channel sounder can deliver 360-degree channel “We can connect the transmitter and receiver to a
measurements in real time. box, known as an emulator, instead of transmitting
a signal over the air,” added Dhananjay. “The emu-
for real-time control of the beams in the array, which is really lator will take the signal from the transmitter and modify it as if
important. What’s good about this is that researchers can exper- it has gone over the programmed wireless channel. The resulting
iment with the beams to understand how the beams are shaped signal is then given to the receiver. So you can test the transmitter
and then optimize performance that way.” and receiver while sitting in the comfort of your lab without hav-
ing to go outdoors and do measurements.”
The Porcupine Channel Sounder This article only covers some of the activity taking place at NYU
NI also demonstrated its new channel sounder, which was cre- WIRELESS. But it is clear that NYU WIRELESS and NI together
ated in collaboration with AT&T. The channel-sounding system, are helping to pave the way for 5G communications. While much
referred to by AT&T as the “Porcupine,” uses the same aforemen- work still needs to be done before 5G becomes a reality, the part-
tioned 28-GHz heads. However, the difference is that it connects nership of NYU WIRELESS and NI will surely drive the technol-
to the Porcupine on the receive side. ogy to make it finally happen. n
“We’re using some advanced techniques,” noted Kimery. “A
typical channel sounder will have two horn antennas—one for
transmitting and one for receiving. Those horn antennas are rotat-
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everything automatically. There are switches inside to go through
each of the horns in less than 150 ms.”
According to Kimery, the fast measurement speed of the
Porcupine is highly beneficial. He explained, “The speed allows
you to take measurements faster. You can capture 2 GHz of band-
width from four streams and have all the measurements done in
150 ms. The normal way is to take a snapshot, move the antenna,
take another snapshot, etc. But that process only acquires the
data. You then have to take that data and post-process it. This new
system takes 4X or more data than a typical channel sounder and
processes it an order of magnitude faster.”
Kimery added, “The other benefit of this channel sounder is
that it allows you to know how a channel really behaves. If you’re
taking snapshots and moving a servo, there is a time gap between
snapshots. This system can quickly take 360-degree measure-
ments, allowing you to get a good picture of what the channel

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CHRIS DEMARTINO, Technology Editor Sponsored by

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CHAPTER 4:

NEW
TECHNOLOGY
REDEFINES
CHANNEL
EMULATION
Researchers at NYU
WIRELESS are creating
a new channel emulation
methodology for 5G systems.

FOR 5G MILLIMETER-WAVE SYSTEMS

T
here is no doubt that the New York University (NYU) emulation itself. Aditya Dhananjay, a postdoctoral research fel-
WIRELESS academic research center is at the very center low at NYU as well as the co-founder and president of MilliLabs
of 5G research and development (see NYU Wireless (www.millilabs.com), is leading 5G channel emulation efforts at
Drives Next-Generation Technology and Partnership NYU WIRELESS. “Let’s says you are building base stations and
Propels 5G Development). One specific area that is cell phones and you want to test them,” Dhananjay says. “One way
under investigation with regard to 5G millimeter-wave of testing them is by doing over-the-air (OTA) field trials.
systems is channel emulation. In fact, NYU WIRELESS recently “You take your base station and cell phone out into the real
made headlines by revealing that it has developed what
is believed to be the first commercial emulator for 5G x y
millimeter-wave systems. While channel emulation has
been used for quite some time, this article explains how
Transmitter Receiver
researchers at NYU WIRELESS are redefining it for 5G. device under test device under test
(TX DUT) (RX DUT)

Channel Emulation 101

Before discussing channel emulation for 5G systems, it
is helpful to first present a brief introduction of channel 1. This figure is a simple illustration of OTA testing.

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MICROWAVES & RF LIBRARY CHAPTER 4: NEW TECHNOLOGY REDEFINES CHANNEL EMULATION FOR 5G MILLIMETER-WAVE

TRADITIONAL first difference—the bandwidths are extremely large.”

x EMULATOR y
Transmitter Receiver
Emulation
device under test
device under test
FIR filters
(TX DUT) (RX DUT)
Channel
generator
2. Shown is a simple block diagram of a traditional channel
emulator.
world and you test them to see how they do in different scenarios,”
he continues. “Then you can see in the real world if the design is
adequate.” Figure 1 shows a basic illustration of OTA testing.
However, OTA field trials have significant drawbacks. “OTA
field testing is very time consuming and expensive,” Dhananjay
explains. “And the amount of data you can get from field trials
is extremely limited. Since the design of wireless communica-
tion systems is highly iterative, it’s not good if the testing stage is
extremely long and expensive.”
Channel emulation is therefore the common approach for test-
ing wireless systems. “The alternative to field trials is by utilizing
what is known as emulation,” Dhananjay says. “With emulation,
you don’t go out into the real world. You keep your transmitter
and receiver in the lab and you put an emulator box in the mid-
dle.“Instead of transmitting signals over the air, signals are fed to
the emulator using cables,” he continues. “The emulator will mod-
ify these signals as if they had gone over the real wireless channel.
The resulting signals are then fed to the receiver using cables.
So you can sit in the lab and program the emulator for different
scenarios. The advantages are that you don’t have to leave the lab
and the results are highly reproducible. You can really test and see
where your designs are working and where they are going wrong.
“The bottom line is that emulators are a critical tool,” Dhananjay
adds. “They have been used for the design of wireless systems for a
long time. 2G, 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi systems have all been developed
using channel emulators.”
Focusing on 5G
As mentioned, channel emulators have been used to design
wireless systems for a long time. However, the
focus now shifts to 5G communications. Are
there emulators for 5G systems? The answer u z
Transmitter Multi-antenna
is no, says Dhananjay, noting that these sys- processor
wtx
tems are going to be fundamentally different
(TX DUT)
from existing wireless technologies.“The part
of the 5G ecosystem we are talking about is
millimeter-wave frequencies,” he elaborates.
“With the millimeter-wave bands, you now 3. This figure illustrates how the multi-antenna front ends are incorporated into the
have huge amounts of bandwidth. That’s the new 5G emulator.
He continues: “The second difference is that the number of
antennas you are going to have on your transmitter and receiver
is extremely large in comparison to 4G systems.” Specifically,
phased-array antennas are expected to be an important aspect
of 5G, as they will be used to overcome the high path losses at
millimeter-wave frequencies.The points mentioned explain why
the traditional emulation model is not suitable for 5G systems. “If
you were to take the traditional emulation model and just scale it
up for 5G systems, there are a number of problems,” Dhananjay
explains. “You might easily have 256 antennas on the base station
side and 64 antennas on the user equipment (UE) side. Surely, you
are not going to connect that many cables from the transmitter
to the emulator and from the emulator to the receiver—that’s
not even possible. And even if you had that many cables and
wanted to do it, there is no simply no way of connecting cables
to a phased-array antenna. So there’s no mechanism available to
connect the antennas to the emulator.”
Furthermore, the challenges actually extend beyond the reasons
already stated. “Even if someone comes up with some technology
that enables you to connect a phased array to a box using cables,
the emulator would still be incredibly hard to build,” he adds. “The
reason why is the computational complexity of the emulator goes
through the roof. If the number of antennas goes up by two orders
of magnitude and the bandwidth also goes up by two orders of
magnitude, the computational complexity of the emulator goes up
by four orders of magnitude.”
What is the actual meaning of computational complexity with
regard to channel emulators? Dhananjay explains: “Computational
complexity boils down to multipliers, which are the most basic
hardware component that you need to build an emulator. The
number of multipliers that you need is actually a function of the
number of antennas in the transmitter and receiver. Even if you
were to do the emulation in the most efficient manner possible,
the number of multipliers you are going to need is huge. So the
hardware costs are going to rise and become impossible.”
A New Paradigm in Channel Emulation
So how exactly can one build a channel emulator for 5G milli-
meter-wave systems? Dhananjay and his team believe they have
the solution. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of this new 5G emu-
NYU EMULATOR
Multi-antenna Receiver
Emulation processor
front-end front-end w
FIR filters rx
(Emulated) (emulated) (RX DUT)
Channel generator
and tap calculator

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MICROWAVES & RF LIBRARY CHAPTER 4: NEW TECHNOLOGY REDEFINES CHANNEL EMULATION FOR 5G MILLIMETER-WAVE
4. Shown is the actual emulator hardware that was donated by
National Instruments (NI).
lator, which they say is a “new paradigm” in channel emulation.
The most notable difference is that the emulator actually includes
the multi-antenna front ends.
“The emulator is going to emulate the antennas in addition to
☞ REGISTER: mwrf.com | 12
emulating the wireless channel. In this new emulation paradigm,
you get rid of the front ends altogether,” Dhananjay says. “You take
the emulator box and put it in the middle.
Instead of the transmitter telling its phased-array which direc-
tion to beamform, the transmitter tells the emulator which direc-
tion to beamform.
“Similarly,” he continues, “instead of the receiver telling its
phased-array where to beamform, the receiver tells the emulator
which direction to beamform. Essentially, the emulator not only
emulates the wireless channel, but also the phased-array front
ends on both sides.”
While the team originally built the emulator for internal
research, they later realized it has commercial viability. “We built
this emulator because we needed a 5G emulator and there were
just no solutions out there,” Dhananjay recalls. “But then we
realized that it actually has commercial promise. The emulator is
built entirely with commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) components
from National Instruments (NI). In fact, NI gave us this hardware
as part of a donation.” Figure 4 shows the actual 5G emulator
hardware.
In summary, Dhananjay and his team are clearly engaged in
groundbreaking work in the area of 5G millimeter-wave chan-
nel emulation. This article shed some light on the new channel
emulation approach for 5G. This area is certainly one to watch as
researchers strive to make 5G a reality. n
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CHAPTER 5:

5G GOES
OVER THE AIR
For next-generation 5G networks to finally become reality, over-the-air testing must be available—
and many companies are working to make that happen.

T
he activity surrounding fifth-generation (5G) networks One tantalizing aspect of 5G concerns the prospect of over-the-
is at a fever pitch, as proponents of the technology look
air (OTA) testing. With 5G expected to utilize antenna arrays at
to ensure that it become a reality in the not-so-distant
millimeter-wave frequencies, test approaches beyond traditional
future. Today, 5G is a hot topic at events, and receiving
cable-based methods must be investigated. That’s why a num-
a great deal of scrutiny in myriad articles, webinars,ber of test-and-measurement companies, including Keysight
etc. Those who have been paying attention are probablyTechnologies (www.keysight.com), National Instruments (NI;
already aware of the benefits promised by 5G—benefits like fasterwww.ni.com), and Rohde & Schwarz (www.rohde-schwarz.com),
data rates and greater capacity. are now focusing on OTA test solutions.
At Mobile World Congress 2017,
Keysight’s Lucas Hansen gave
a presentation titled “mmWave
Over the Air Test Challenges and
Opportunities.” In it, when discuss-
ing 5G, he noted the significance
of millimeter-wave frequencies along
with signal bandwidths that could be
as high as 1 GHz. “What this does is
drive a fundamental change in the
design architecture of the devices that
we have,” stated Hansen.
“No longer do you have a tradition-
al cabled environment when you are
designing RF front ends,” he added.
“What you now have at these frequen-
cies is a phased-array antenna, which
is bonded directly to an RF integrat-
ed circuit (RFIC). Phased-arrays are
required at millimeter-waves and, as
such, are introducing ‘no-connector-
ized test.’ That means that you no
longer have the traditional cable that
This demonstration system was built on Verizon’s 5G specification. you once had.” Expect to hear more

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MICROWAVES & RF LIBRARY CHAPTER 5: 5G GOES OVER THE AIR

from Keysight regarding OTA testing in the near future.

OTA Public Demonstration

NI is another company at the forefront of OTA test solutions. At
the IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference
(WCNC) in March, the company demonstrated a real-time OTA
prototype for 5G at 28 GHz (see figure). The demonstration sys-
tem, which was aligned with Verizon’s 5G specification, contained
eight independently configurable 100-MHz component carriers.
“The Verizon 5G demonstration system received a lot of attention
and was a must-see for the WCNC attendees—which included the
top wireless researchers in the world,” said James Kimery, director
of marketing for RF, communications, and software-defined radio
(SDR) initiatives at NI.
The prototype, which was built using NI’s mmWave Transceiver
System, featured a new version of millimeter-wave heads oper-
ating at 28 GHz. Anokiwave (www.anokiwave.com) and Ball
Aerospace (www.ball.com/aerospace) developed the phased-array
antennas. Written with LabVIEW system design software, the
prototype system features fully modifiable real-time code for both
the base station and the user equipment. Stay tuned for more in
the days to come. n
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