Agilent introduces wideband DPD platform for LTE-Advanced, 802.11ac

Digital Pre-Distortion Builder software enables R&D teams to improve performance of emerging wireless systems.

-- Test & Measurement World, 9/2/2011 11:39:13 AM

Agilent Technologies has announced the newest release of its W1716 Digital Pre-Distortion Builder (DPD) software, an application add-on to the Agilent SystemVue environment. The W1716 DPD is designed to enable the high levels of wireless performance necessary for emerging wideband standards such as LTE-Advanced and IEEE 802.11ac. The software creates an interactive RF/baseband platform for 4G modeling by linking the user's baseband DPD algorithms with trusted wideband test equipment, standard references, and RF EDA software.

To help designers meet the bandwidth and linearity requirements necessary to achieve 1-Gbps data rates in 100 MHz of spectrum, Agilent has enhanced its W1716 DPD software and linked it to Agilent PXI modular instruments to enable a wideband stimulus/response platform for interactive DPD modeling of emerging and 4G wireless systems. The hardware/software platform integrates                these features: 4G-ready DPD algorithms for both PA modeling and pre-distortion analysis; a step-by-step DPD modeling graphical user interface;  optional, standards-based reference libraries for LTE-Advanced, 802.11ac, WCDMA, OFDM, and other waveforms; and a calibrated stimulus/response measurement platform with up to 250 MHz of bandwidth (using the M9392A PXI microwave vector signal analyzer), expandable to 800 MHz (using the M9362A-D01 PXIe microwave quad downconverter).

The platform also supports integration with RF EDA design tools, such as Agilent Advanced Design System and GoldenGate, for predictive, simulation-based extraction, including memory effects. The platform supports open interfaces accept proprietary DPD intellectual property and test vectors, is enables scriptable IVI/SCPI instrument connectivity, and it provides the ability to let users create custom GUIs that capture a company's modeling and extraction methodologies for re-use and workgroup collaboration.

"In order to connect customers' DPD modeling efforts with their enterprise RF and baseband design flows, we integrated a vendor-neutral modeling platform based around industry standards with best-in-class algorithms, RF measurement science, and RF EDA tools," said Frank Ditore, SystemVue product manager for Agilent. "This solution provides teams with complete intellectual property transparency and control of their 4G performance without prematurely committing to implementation details. It also gives them a structured, model-based approach that can be used from early evaluation through final verification."

Agilent's SystemVue 2011.10 is expected to be available in late October. Pricing for the SystemVue environment starts at approximately $17,000. A free, 30-day evaluation is available at www.agilent.com/find/eesof-systemvue-evaluation.