Expanded module lineup of simulating MIMO connections

Anritsu Corporation has introduced a newly developed Butler Matrix 4x4 (0.6GHz to 7.125GHz) MA8114A to expand its Butler Matrix module lineup of simulating MIMO connections.

The MA8114A is a Butler Matrix transmission path with four input and four output ports and supports the 6GHz band (5.925GHz to 7.125GHz), which is not supported by the existing Azimuth STACSIM-WB-(Static Channel Simulator) (ACC-339) used for evaluating 4x4 MIMO throughput of LTE/5G base stations and Wi-Fi devices. The solution helps users to build a stable 5G/W-Fi evaluation environment, and efficiently test throughput.

LTE/5G Base station and Wi-Fi device vendors use the OTA test environment to evaluate the maximum throughput with 4x4 MIMO for their products. This entails measuring the Tx/Rx radio performance of wireless devices using an anechoic or OTA chamber which is designed to block external radio waves. Because the transmission environment varies depending on the distance to the user equipment, a drawback of this approach is its low reproducibility of measurement results. While reproducibility can be improved by connecting the two devices using an RF cable, a simple coupler cannot simulate the MIMO transmission environment. The device solves this issue, ensuring highly reproducible measurements.

The upper-limit frequency for NR FR1 has been extended beginning with 3GPP Release 17, and the 6GHz band has been added to Wi-Fi 6E/7. The device supports a frequency range up to 7.125GHz in preparation for countries launching services on new frequency bands.

The product lineup of the Butler Matrix module also includes the Butler Matrix 8x8 (0.6GHz to 7.125GHz) device with eight input and eight output ports, which supports a frequency range up to 7.125GHz as well. The device can be used not only for 8x8 MIMO throughput evaluation but also to allow efficient testing of devices having multiple RF ports.