Large-scale Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology is a key technology in 5G network communications. It utilizes large-scale antenna arrays to achieve efficient signal transmission and reception. By increasing the number of antennas, large-scale MIMO technology can significantly enhance the channel capacity and spectral efficiency of the system without requiring additional spectrum resources or transmit power. To realize the 5G vision and meet the critical performance requirements for spectral efficiency, it is essential to prototype and validate large-scale MIMO and other related technologies. Since computer-based simulations alone cannot address many of the complex unresolved issues, it is necessary to develop prototype systems that can operate in real-time under actual channel conditions and transmit/receive real RF signals. A hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system, which combines simulation software on a computer with a software-defined radio (SDR) platform, can address these challenges, facilitating the transition from theoretical simulation to practical application and thereby accelerating the development of next-generation communication systems.
This solution is implemented using Luowave USRP-LW N321 platform, which primarily consists of the programmable RF front-end USRP-LW N321, servers, switches, and the clock source OctoClock-LW-G.
Setup Diagram
The USRP-LW N321 is a network software-defined radio that can provide reliability and fault-tolerant capabilities for deployment in large-scale and distributed wireless systems. It is a high-performance SDR that uses a unique RF design to offer 2 RX and 2 TX channels in a half-width RU size. The flexible synchronization architecture supports a 10 MHz clock reference, PPS time reference for external TX LO and RX LO inputs, enabling a phase-coherent MIMO test platform.
OctoClock-LW-G is a device allocation system for high-precision clock sources. It is very useful for users who wish to establish a multi-channel system and synchronize to a common reference time. For instance, we can use OctoClock-G to perform coherent operations on USRP N210 and synchronize with the system. This enables many phased array applications, such as beamforming, super-resolution direction finding, diversity combination, or the design of MIMO transceivers.
Large-scale Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology is a key technology in 5G network communications. It utilizes large-scale antenna arrays to achieve efficient signal transmission and reception. By increasing the number of antennas, large-scale MIMO technology can significantly enhance the channel capacity and spectral efficiency of the system without requiring additional spectrum resources or transmit power. To realize the 5G vision and meet the critical performance requirements for spectral efficiency, it is essential to prototype and validate large-scale MIMO and other related technologies. Since computer-based simulations alone cannot address many of the complex unresolved issues, it is necessary to develop prototype systems that can operate in real-time under actual channel conditions and transmit/receive real RF signals. A hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system, which combines simulation software on a computer with a software-defined radio (SDR) platform, can address these challenges, facilitating the transition from theoretical simulation to practical application and thereby accelerating the development of next-generation communication systems.
This solution is implemented using Luowave USRP-LW N321 platform, which primarily consists of the programmable RF front-end USRP-LW N321, servers, switches, and the clock source OctoClock-LW-G.
Setup Diagram
The USRP-LW N321 is a network software-defined radio that can provide reliability and fault-tolerant capabilities for deployment in large-scale and distributed wireless systems. It is a high-performance SDR that uses a unique RF design to offer 2 RX and 2 TX channels in a half-width RU size. The flexible synchronization architecture supports a 10 MHz clock reference, PPS time reference for external TX LO and RX LO inputs, enabling a phase-coherent MIMO test platform.
OctoClock-LW-G is a device allocation system for high-precision clock sources. It is very useful for users who wish to establish a multi-channel system and synchronize to a common reference time. For instance, we can use OctoClock-G to perform coherent operations on USRP N210 and synchronize with the system. This enables many phased array applications, such as beamforming, super-resolution direction finding, diversity combination, or the design of MIMO transceivers.