Real-Time RF Channel Impairment Emulator

The DataSoft Advanced Real-time RF Channel Impairment Emulator (DARRCIE) provides the required channel emulation capabilities in support of evaluating next-generation wireless technologies by a detailed study, evaluation, and comparison of the enabling technologies and concepts offered by the Optical/Analog, Band-Detecting Digital, and Direct Full-Band Digital architectural candidate approaches. Using defined architectural evaluation criteria each of three candidate approaches are assessed regarding there wideband RF interface, propagation delay, range attenuation & slow fading, fast fading & Doppler, topology configurability, noise & interference, and scalability capability. For the selected most viable candidate approach, each capability is further examined with a focus on risk reduction to select a minimal set of channel emulator capabilities for prototyping and associated proof-of-concept testing. Using defined scenarios for proof-of-concept testing with associated validation criteria, the performance of the minimal prototype is analyzed to resolve issues that could hinder a successful Phase II eight channel emulator prototype development. Finally, a combined system and high-level design specification is written to capture the system functional and performance requirements, external interfaces, top-level system design, and subsystem interfaces.