RF5G MIMO Simulator Overview and Basics
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This application note provides a fundamental understanding of 5G MIMO Simulators, with a focus on the offering from Remcom. These simulators play a crucial role in testing the MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) functionalities of 5G devices.
What is a 5G MIMO Simulator?
A 5G MIMO simulator comprises the hardware and software needed to generate 5G-compliant MIMO signal vectors, adhering to both User Equipment (UE) and base station specifications. Figure 1 illustrates the baseband and RF chain involved in 5G MIMO simulation. Typical modules within the simulator include:
- Coding
- Modulation
- Beamforming
- MIMO Processing
- IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform)
- DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter)
- RF Up Conversion
- Antenna Array
Figure 1: Example 5G Massive MIMO Simulation Setup
Common MIMO Modes
The following MIMO modes are commonly supported by 4G and 5G wireless technologies:
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SU-MIMO (Single User MIMO): Supports up to 128 base station antennas and up to 12 antennas per mobile station. This mode involves a single mobile station.
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MU-MIMO (Multi User MIMO): Supports up to 128 base station antennas, with configurations such as 8 antennas for Mobile Station #1 (MS#1) and 4 antennas for MS#2. This mode involves two mobile stations.
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Massive MIMO: Supports up to 128 base station antennas, with a configuration of 5 mobile stations (MSs) with varying antenna setups (e.g., 4/4/2/1/1 for MS1, MS2, MS3, MS4, and MS5 respectively).
Remcom’s 5G MIMO Simulator: Wireless InSite® Propagation Software
Remcom’s Wireless InSite® Propagation Software offers robust 5G MIMO simulation capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of its specifications and features:
| Specifications/features | 5G MIMO Simulator Support |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | Supports up to 100 GHz |
| Propagation model | • X3D: A 3D model with no restrictions on shape or transmitter/receiver height. • 2D site-specific Fast-Ray based model for urban/rough terrain. |
| Import formats | • Building & object import formats: KMZ, SHP, DXF, COLLADA • Terrain formats: DTED, TIFF, and DEM |
| Simulated Antennas | Supports SISO (Single-Input Single-Output), MIMO, and Massive MIMO transmit and receive antenna configurations. Antenna parameters can be imported in text format from XFdtd 3D EM Simulation Software. |
| Outputs | Power, path loss, and propagation paths are generated for plotting. ASCII files are used for plotting. |
Other 5G MIMO Simulator Manufacturers/Vendors
Several other companies offer 5G MIMO simulation solutions. Here’s a list of some of them:
| 5G MIMO Simulator Vendors/Manufacturers | Description with part number |
|---|---|
| Keysight Technologies Inc. | Provides tools for 5G MIMO simulations, generations, and analysis. |
| Mathworks | Provides a library for 5G MIMO simulations. |
| National Instruments | Offers a 5G Massive MIMO testbed. |
