MIMO PXI Vector Signal Analyzer for Wireless Chipset Design and Verification

28 March 2012 – Agilent Technologies announced a wideband MIMO PXI vector signal analyzer that delivers the industry’s highest-bandwidth signal analysis. The new analyzer enables R&D and test engineers to validate their MIMO 802.11ac designs with a unique combination of accuracy, speed, bandwidth and scalability in a small form factor.

Specifically designed for flexibility and growth, the wideband MIMO PXI vector signal analyzer (based on the M9362A-D01 downconverter and M9202A IF digitizer) is ideal for customers requiring 80 + 80-MHz SISO, and 80-MHz or 160-MHz MIMO 802.11ac measurements today – and it provides 780-MHz analysis bandwidth to address tomorrow’s wireless standards.

By adding Agilent’s 89600 VSA software, engineers can gain greater insight into their next-generation 802.11ac WLAN chips and devices, regardless of the 802.11ac format implemented.

With one to four channels in a single PXIe chassis, the solution provides analysis capabilities for up to 4x4 MIMO in a 4U form factor M9018A chassis.

“We equipped this wideband, multichannel instrument with new broadband modulation, MIMO schemes and electronic beam forming to address test challenges in the design and validation phases of a project,” said Mark Pierpoint, VP and general manager of Agilent’s Software and Modular Solutions Division. “This solution is unique in providing up to 780 MHz of acquisition bandwidth to cover both today’s and tomorrow’s communication systems.”

The wideband MIMO PXI vector signal analyzer consists of Agilent’s M9362A-D01 four-channel downconverter, M9202A 12-bit digitizer, M9302A LO, M9168C RF attenuator, and the M9352A IF amplifier/attenuator modules for one to four measurement channels. This multichannel solution further enhances Agilent’s fast-growing lineup of more than 50 PXI and AXIe modular products.

This solution can also be used in combination with Agilent Command Expert, which is a free software application that provides fast and easy instrument control in many PC environments. It combines instrument command sets, documentation, syntax checking and command execution in a single interface.

The two-channel wideband MIMO PXI vector signal analyzer is available now.

Multichannel analysis capability for the M9362A-D01 is available through a free download of the M9202A software.