National Instruments Introduces PXI Express RF Vector Signal Generator with 20 MHz Onboard Signal Processing

The data streaming capability of the NI PXIe-5672 provides significant benefits over traditional RF instruments. On traditional instruments, waveform generation and acquisition sizes are generally limited to several hundred megabytes because of bus bandwidth and onboard memory limitations. With the NI PXIe-5672 module, PXI Express technology makes it easy for engineers to use redundant array of independent disks (RAID) arrays to continuously stream waveforms that are up to 3 TB in size.

Using NI PXIe-5672, engineers can implement RF record and playback applications. Combined with the NI PXI-5661 vector signal analyser and the NI HDD-8264 RAID array, engineers have the ability to stream up to 20 MHz of RF bandwidth for more than five hours. Using this technique, engineers can record RF signals from many types of physical locations and under a variety of environmental conditions, making it possible to capture signals that exhibit traditional wireless challenges including multipath fading, interference and fluctuations in signal strength.

Engineers can also use the NI PXIe-5672 to regenerate recorded waveforms in a laboratory environment. This technique for waveform generation improves the efficiency and accuracy of wireless receiver validation and verification by allowing for more repeatable channel emulation testing.