Topic: Implementation of Wireless Network Emulator using

Labview.
Abstract:
In research and development a basic difficulty exists between the experimental
realism, simulation control and its repeatability. In this thesis a wireless network
emulator will be introduced to over-come such difficulties by enabling both realistic and
repeatable experimentation. In order to meet the real-time requirement, we divided the
channel emulator implementation into two parts including host and FPGA (Field
Programmable Gate Array). The host configures the hardware, controls the application
execution and most importantly, generates the fading channel coefficients. The FPGA
receives the host-generated channel coefficients and apply them to the RF (Radio
Frequency) IN signals from the transmitter antenna, and then transmits the channel
applied RF signal to RF OUT.
Description:
The wireless channel can be modeled in large-scale propagation model and small-scale
or fast fading. A variety of channel conditions and complex multiple antenna algorithms
for adapting to different conditions make a channel emulator necessary for developing
and testing radio DSP. Development and test systems requires a channel emulator to
emulate multipath and Doppler fading in a variety of wireless channels. Adaptive
multiple antenna techniques including transmitter and receiver diversity, spatial
multiplexing and beam-forming involve sophisticated open and closed loop algorithms
that must be tested under a range of controlled emulated channel conditions.
Developing a wireless network emulator is a difficult task. Beside this, massive
computation, low latency, high isolation and support for diverse experimental setups
require power along with flexible architecture. In our designs analog signals from
transmitters are routed through coaxial cable to a central emulator unit. In this unit the
signals are digitizes, channel emulation occurs and then the resulting channel analog
output signals are routed out.