Agilent N5120A Baseband Studio for CPRI RE Test Technical Overview The Agilent N5120A Baseband Studio for CPRI RE Test is the first commercially available CPRI radio equipment test solution The N5120A Baseband Studio for CPRI RE Test software provides the tools you need to test your Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) base station radio equipment. This test solution emulates the radio equipment control (REC), enabling you to perform tests on the CPRI radio equipment (RE), including BER/BLER testing. This software also provides demodulation, sensitivity analysis, timing measurements, and control and management protocol. The N5120A CPRI RE Test software is a major time saving tool. This off- the- shelf solution allows you to set up the CPRI interface quickly, cutting your test development time by weeks. This enables you to spend more time developing products. The N5120A CPRI RE Test software is fast, versatile, and easy to use. It provides benefits either on a lab bench or at a production test station. Key Features Operates as a CPRI RE Tester Analyzes the uplink signal using the E4438C ESG to generate a real- time W- CDMA RMC 12.2 kbps Measures Rx sensitivity (BER/BLER) in real time Links to VSA software for modulation analysis Enables data capture for post- processing Transmits multi- carrier W- CDMA downlink waveforms using N7600A Signal Studio software Provides transmitter modulation analysis using a spectrum analyzer with demodulation capabilities Supports concurrent uplink and downlink operation Makes timing delay characterization measurements Supports HDLC (high- level data link control) C&M (slow control and management) Provides transmit and receive C&M capability Accommodates standard SFP connector/transceiver modules for the CPRI interface (614.4, 1228.8, and 2457.6 Mbps line rates)
Figure 1 CPRI RE Test Solution Simplified Block Diagram CPRI RE Test Solution The CPRI RE test solution is comprised of the N5120A Baseband Studio for CPRI RE Test software, the N5103A High- Speed Serial Interface (HSSI) card, and the N5101A Baseband Studio PCI card. The N5120A software runs on a PC that has the Baseband Studio PCI card and the HSSI card installed. The CPRI RE test solution simultaneously controls the uplink and downlink paths to and from the base station radio equipment with an easy- to- use, tabular software user interface. The CPRI RE test solution tests the base station RE uplink path, downlink path, and characterizes timing. Uplink Path In the uplink path, an E4438C ESG vector signal generator with Option 400 (W- CDMA personality) provides a single carrier modulated RF signal in RMC 12.2 kbps W- CDMA format. That signal is sent to the base station radio equipment to be demodulated to digital IQ data in W- CDMA format. Using the N5120A CPRI RE Test software, you can assess the receiver sensitivity with the software s optional BER/BLER measurement capability. You can also view the results on the Agilent 89601 Vector Signal Analysis software or you can capture the results as a binary file for analysis by other software tools, such as MATLAB. Downlink Path The CPRI RE test solution may also be used to test the downlink path. The downlink path signal starts as a digital (I/Q) waveform in W-CDMA format on the PC. This waveform file may be created using any software tool capable of creating W-CDMA waveform files. The Agilent N7600A Signal Studio for 3GPP W- CDMA with HSDPA/HSUPA software provides single or multicarrier W- CDMA waveform files in an encoded waveform format that may be used in the downlink measurement. Additionally, there are many software tools capable of creating W- CDMA waveforms in a binary format that can be used for testing. The W-CDMA digital waveform file is used by the CPRI RE test solution to send the digital waveform via the CPRI link to the base station radio equipment. Figure 2 Simplified Uplink Path Block Diagram The RE sends these digital I/Q data to the CPRI RE test solution on the PC via the CPRI link. When the IQ waveform data is received by the N5103A HSSI card, it is deserialized and sent via the Baseband Studio PCI card to be evaluated by the CPRI RE test software. Figure 3 Simplified Downlink Path Block Diagram The RE receives the digital waveform and upconverts it. The modulated RF signal is sent to a signal analyzer where it is demodulated and analyzed. 2
Timing Measurement Using the CPRI RE test solution, you can perform timing characterization measurements that allow you to compare your RE performance against the CPRI standards. The CPRI RE test solution supports link timing accuracy, round trip delay accuracy, round trip cable delay per link, and the maximum delay standards. Timing characterization measurements can be made using one of several HSSI card triggers that you designate as the start or stop trigger source. In addition to three trigger connectors, the HSSI card has two nodes that serve as REC SAP (Service Access Points). A timer is started when the designated Start Trigger signal is received and is stopped when the designated Stop Trigger signal is received. When the start and stop trigger signals are received, the measured time is displayed to within a resolution of ±1/128 of a W- CDMA chip period (or 4.07 ns). The time measurement uncertainty is also displayed. Personal Computer (PC) The CPRI RE test solution requires a PC with two adjacent PCI slots to install the N5101A and N5103A cards. You will also load and run the N5120A on the PC. For additional CPRI RE test functionality, you may want to obtain and install the N7600A Signal Studio for 3GPP W- CDMA with HSDPA/HSUPA and the 89601 vector signal analysis software. See the PC Requirements section for more detailed specifications. N5120A CPRI RE Test Software The N5120A CPRI RE Test software consists of nine panes related to the CPRI setup and measurement of base station REs. These panes are accessed from the software s tree structure and organized in straightforward, easy- to- read tabular format. The following describes each of the nine panes. Figure 4 Baseband Studio for CPRI RE Test Software User Interface Quick Setups The Quick Setups pane saves and opens the test setups, including hardware selections and software settings, that you created and want to use for additional RE testing. Hardware The Hardware pane displays information specific to your Baseband Studio PCI card, HSSI card, and any SFP transceiver modules that are connected. This pane also allows you to run equipment self- tests. CPRI The CPRI link settings pane defines and displays system information that is not related to a specific measurement. This information includes the link connection status, the SFP module selections, the two SERDES, and the reference clock details. Control and Management (C&M) The C&M pane emulates your REC supporting the reception of C&M uplink data and the transmission of C&M downlink data. Using one of the buttons, you can send or receive C&M data. The received data is displayed in tabular format matching the subchannel definition of the CPRI V2.0 specifications. Downlink The upper portion of the Downlink pane allows you to define the downlink antenna carrier setup information, such as output sample width, frame packing method, normalization state. It also displays the number of antenna carriers allowed and the number enabled. The lower portion of the downlink pane allows you to define the individual antenna carrier information for the downlink measurement, such as the specific carriers, the waveform file, flexible packing addresses, power scaling, and alignment. Uplink The Uplink pane allows you to define the uplink antenna carrier settings, such as sample width, oversampling ratio, frame packing method, flexible packing addresses, how the measurement will be viewed, and specific file information when you are saving the measured results to a file. In the uplink pane, you may view the measurement results three ways: 1) you can run the optional realtime BER/BLER measurement; 2) you can run the vector signal analysis software; or 3) you can capture the measurement results to a binary file. Markers The Markers pane defines the two markers available for use as external triggering with external equipment or to monitor the system timing. The marker time resolution is equal to 1/64th of a W-CDMA chip period. Timing Measurement The Timing Measurement pane defines the setup for the timing measurement and displays the results and uncertainty of the measurement. 3
Bit Error Rate Measurement The Bit Error Rate Measurement pane (part of Uplink) is an optional software feature. The bit/block error rate (BER/BLER) area defines your BER/BLER test and displays the measurement results. Utilize the Microsoft.NET and COM API Use the software s Microsoft.NET or COM application programming interface (API) to set up hardware configurations, load measurement settings, and play or apply a setup directly from your test executive rather than from the Baseband Studio for CPRI RE Test graphical user interface. Just a few API calls are required to create a control program. The software also includes programming examples that you can easily leverage. The.NET and COM Remoting API allows you to set up a client/server configuration in order to control CPRI RE test systems via a remote PC. Software Features Figure 5 Bit Error Rate Measurement Pane The BER has a unique frame synchronization method that helps to synchronize with degraded signals. Using the typical BER performance characteristic graph in Figure 6, you can compare your measurement results against the typical graph to determine the quality of the signals through your base station radio equipment. Figure 6 Typical Bit Error Rate Performance Characteristic Graph Antenna carriers CPRI line rates SFP interface SFP host side electrical TX RX SFP1 SFP2 Output markers Marker 1 Marker 2 Input triggers Trigger 1 Trigger 2 4, 6, 8, 12, 18, 24 (R-5 to R-10) 614.4 Mbps (E6) 1228.8 Mbps (E12) 2457.6 Mbps (E24) 2 High Speed Serial Interfaces Compatible with SFP committee INF-8047i rev 1.0 specification for Small Form-factor Pluggable transceivers Connected to the PMC-Sierra PM8358 QuadPhy 10GX SERDES. Refer to this vendor s SERDES data sheet for details. Connected to the TI TLK1201AIRCP SERDES. Refer to this vendor s SERDES data sheet for details. TTL output from NI DS90L; 25 Ω series output impedance with ESD clamp to 3.3 V and ground 3.3 V LVCMOS output; 25 Ω series output impedance with ESD clamp to 3.3 V and ground TTL input to NI DS90L V011A; 348 pull up to 3.3 V, 261 Ω pull down to ground; 25 Ω series input impedance with ESD clamp to 3.3 V and ground 3.3 V LVCMOS input; 348 pull up to 3.3 V, 261 Ω pull down to ground; 25 Ω series input impedance with ESD clamp to 3.3 V and ground 4
Software Features (continued) PC Requirements RF pulse in ( CW Off pulse detector) CW frequency range 700 MHz to 2.5 GHz CW input level 10 ±1 dbm (nominal) CW off pulse level > 0 dbm CW off pulse period 260 ns (typical) Reference in Reference frequencies (MHz) Input level 1, 1.2288, 2, 3.84, 5, 10, 13, 19.2, 19.6608, 30.72, 34.8, 40 O dbm (nominal) +10 dbm (maximum) 10 dbm (minimum) Slew rate 100 V/µsec Clock in Reference frequencies 24 to 330 MHz Dependent upon external reference frequency Downlink IQ sample width 8 20 bits Basic frame packing Packed or flexible Uplink IQ sample width 4 10 bits Oversampling ratio 2 or 4 Basic frame packing Packed or flexible Output BER/BLER, 89601 VSA software, or a binary file BER/BLER Reference measurement Fully coded W-CDMA RMC 12.2 kbps channel DPDCH Raw PN9 Streaming Uses 2 GB of DRAM on Baseband Studio PCI card Item PC class Memory PCI card slots Bus Hard drive space Operating system SFP Requirements Description 2 GHz Pentium 4 processor 1024 MB memory Two adjacent full-length slots available One 64-bit and one 32-bit slots or two 64-bit slots 64-bit bus 1024 MB Windows 2000 (SP3 or later) or Windows XP (SP1 or later) Required software Microsoft.NET Framework 1.1 SP1 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or later The SFP transceiver module to be supplied by user. Signal Source Requirements Model/Option E4438C Option 400 Option 403 Option 601/602 Description ESG vector signal generator 3GPP W-CDMA FDD personality Calibrated noise (AWGN) personality (recommended) Internal baseband generator Recommended Signal Analyzer Recommended Configuration Model/Option N5120A N5120A-109 N5120A-121 N5120A-145 N5101A N5101A-022 N5103A N5120Z N7600A Description Baseband Studio for CPRI RE Test License: N5101A Baseband Studio PCI Card License: N7600A Software to N5120A (optional) License: Real-time BER Measurement (optional) Baseband Studio PCI Card 2 GB DRAM Memory for Baseband Studio PCI Card High-Speed Serial Interface Card Baseband Studio for CPRI RE Test System Bundle (includes N5120A, N5120A-109, N5101A, N5101A-022, and N5103A) Signal Studio for 3GPP W-CDMA with HSDPA/HSUPA (optional) Model/Option Description E4443A PSA series spectrum analyzer Option B7J Digital demodulation hardware Option 1DS 100 khz to 3 GHz built-in preamplifier Option BAF W-CDMA measurement personality Recommended VSA Software Model/Option Description 89601A Vector signal analysis software, version 6.2 or greater 1 Option 200 Basic vector signal analysis Option 300 Hardware connectivity Option B7U W-CDMA/HSDPA modulation analysis 1 89601A vector signal analysis software versions 6.3 or greater are not supported when used with N5120A on a dual processor PC. 5
Additional Product Information For more information about the software, including release notes, user interface descriptions, tutorials, and installation information read the online documentation at www.agilent.com/find/basebandstudio. Related Literature Agilent E4438C Vector Signal Generator, Brochure, Literature number 5988-3935EN Agilent E4438C Vector Signal Generator, Data Sheet, Literature number 5988-4039EN Agilent E4438C Vector Signal Generator, Configuration Guide, Literature number 5988-4085EN Agilent N7600A Signal Studio for 3GPP W- CDMA with HSDPA/HSUPA, Technical Overview, Literature number 5989-3802EN Agilent 89600 Series Vector Signal Analysis Software 89601A/89601AN/89601N12, Technical Overview, Literature number 5989-1679EN Agilent 89600 Series Vector Signal Analysis Software 89601A/89601AN/89601N12, Data Sheet, Literature number 5989-1786EN Web Resources For more information, visit: www.agilent.com www.agilent.com/find/basebandstudio www.agilent.com/find/esg www.agilent.com/find/emailupdates Get the latest information on the products and applications you select. Agilent Technologies Test and Measurement Support, Services, and Assistance Agilent Technologies aims to maximize the value you receive, while minimizing your risk and problems. We strive to ensure that you get the test and measurement capabilities you paid for and obtain the support you need. Our extensive support resources and services can help you choose the right Agilent products for your applications and apply them successfully. Every instrument and system we sell has a global warranty. Support is available for at least five years beyond the production life of the product. Two concepts underlie Agilent s overall support policy: Our Promise and Your Advantage. Our Promise Our Promise means your Agilent test and measurement equipment will meet its advertised performance and functionality. When you are choosing new equipment, we will help you with product information, including realistic performance specifications and practical recommendations from experienced test engineers. When you receive your new Agilent equipment, we can help verify that it works properly and help with initial product operation. Your Advantage Your Advantage means that Agilent offers a wide range of additional expert test and measurement services, which you can purchase according to your unique technical and business needs. Solve problems efficiently and gain a competitive edge by contracting with us for calibration, extra-cost upgrades, out-of-warranty repairs, and onsite education and training, as well as design, system integration, project management, and other professional engineering services. Experienced Agilent engineers and technicians worldwide can help you maximize your productivity, optimize the return on investment of your Agilent instruments and systems, and obtain dependable measurement accuracy for the life of those products. Agilent T&M Software and Connectivity Agilent s Test and Measurement software and connectivity products, solutions and developer network allows you to take time out of connecting your instruments to your computer with tools based on PC standards, so you can focus on your tasks, not on your connections. For more information, visit: www.agilent.com/find/connectivity Contacting Agilent For more information on Agilent Technologies products, applications or services, please contact your local Agilent office. The complete list is available at: www.agilent.com/find/contactus Windows is a U.S. registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft is a U.S. registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation. Pentium is a U.S. registered trademark of Intel Corporation. MATLAB is a U.S. registered trademark of The Math Works, Inc. Phone or Fax United States: (tel) 800 829 4444 (fax) 800 829 4433 Canada: (tel) 877 894 4414 (fax) 800 746 4866 China: (tel) 800810 0189 (fax) 800 820 2816 Europe: (tel) 31 20 547 2111 Japan: (tel) (81) 426 56 7832 (fax) (81) 426 56 7840 Korea: (tel) (080) 769 0800 (fax) (080) 769 0900 Latin America: (tel) (305) 269 7500 Taiwan: (tel) 0800 047 866 (fax) 0800 286 331 Other Asia Pacific Countries: (tel) (65) 6375 8100 (fax) (65) 6755 0042 Email: tm_ap@agilent.com Contacts revised: 4/25/05 Product specifications and descriptions in this document are subject to change without notice. Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006 Printed in USA, October 2, 2006 5989-3324EN