Microwave Journal
www.microwavejournal.com/articles/17516-azimuth-s-ace-mx2-mimo-channel-emulator-supports-advanced-testing-configurations-

Azimuth’s ACE MX2 MIMO channel emulator supports advanced testing configurations

May 8, 2012

Azimuth Systems, Inc., a provider of comprehensive real world wireless test solutions for 2G/3G/4G, LTE-Advanced and beyond, announced that its new ACE™ MX2 MIMO channel emulator supports advanced testing configurations such as MU-MIMO, InterRAT, and Carrier Aggregation scenarios. Additionally, the ACE MX2 MIMO channel emulator features Azimuth’s most advanced geometric modeling capabilities to enable real world test with the advanced antenna models necessary for testing of leading edge base stations and full dynamic channel modeling.

The ACE MX2 MIMO channel emulator is based on the proven, reliable, and award-winning ACE MX channel emulator hardware platform and has been designed to create accurate and repeatable results within the laboratory environment. With the ACE MX2 wireless channel emulator, Azimuth has uniquely developed a platform that delivers on the performance, channel density and future-proofing requirements demanded by the marketplacefor accurate real world wireless testing, while meeting the increasingly demanding facilities requirements of modern test labs. It is the smallest, quietest, highest channel density, MIMO channel emulator available today, while also offering the lowest power consumption.

Azimuth’s dynamic channel modeling capability enables detailed control of a comprehensive set of channel parameters and provides the precision control of channel conditions necessary for thorough testing and evaluation of complicated deployment environments such as those found on today’s high speed trains. Deliberately engineered to support the latest wireless network architectures evaluated and deployed around the globe, the ACE MX2 MIMO channel emulator supports implementation of complex MU-MIMO test beds as well as evaluation of Carrier Aggregation scenarios. The ACE MX2 MIMO channel emulator also features built-in real time fading, including industry standard models or custom designed models that allow users to recreate a variety of typical MIMO scenarios for accurate performance and interoperability testing, with up to 64 channels availablein a scalable configuration.  

The ACE MX2 MIMO channel emulator’s world-class features include industry-leading RF fidelity; TDD and FDD operation; bi-directional operation in a single unit; support from SISO up to 8×4 MIMO systems; and a user-friendly, advanced management interface. Enhanced features also include new automation capabilities such as Azimuth’s latest benchmarking module for multiple UEs, and new ease of use features that make it easier to analyze and compare results -- all in a scalable and modular solution that integrates with all of Azimuth’s existing solutions including FTL Field-to-Lab and RPM Real World Performance Measurement.

Equally significant are the reductions in power size and weight. With the ACE MX2 wireless channel emulator, Azimuth has achieved about a 60 percent reduction in size and weight as compared to previous solutions. Additionally, the ACE MX2 channel emulator significantly reduces power consumption and noise, dramatically improving the environmental conditions for today’s crowded wireless test labs.

“As market requirements continue to evolve, the complexity of real world test challenges has also grown significantly,” said Jim Iuliano, president and CEO of Azimuth Systems. “Azimuth’s growing portfolio of real world wireless performance testing products is designed to deliver automated test solutions that measure and assess how the radio RF environment impacts both infrastructure and device performance for the entire wireless ecosystem. The ACE MX2 channel emulator delivers on this promise by addressing the current real world testing requirements of the newest generation of wireless access technologies including MU-MIMO, InterRAT, and carrier aggregation, as well as anticipated future needs, to provide the industry’s leading channel emulator for real world testing of MIMO RF systems.”

The new ACE MX2 MIMO channel emulator is enabled by Azimuth’s Director II™ software for test management and automation. The latest enhancements to Director II provide critical testing information for recreation, visualization, troubleshooting and automation, making it the most robust testing software suite in the industry.

The ACE MX2 MIMO channel emulator will begin shipping to customers in July 2012.