National Instruments Wireless Test System (WTS)

National Instruments announces the release 1.3 of its wireless test system

National Instruments announced the upgrade of its Wireless Test System (WTS) automated test solution. The release 1.3 of the WTS software supports 8×8 multichannel configurations and allows customization of 802.11ax test sequences while controlling the DUT and performing parallel testing of wireless communications according to the IEEE 802.11ax standard (Draft 1.1). It also includes enhancements for parallel testing of Bluetooth 5 standards or those used for IoT such as ZigBee and Z-Wave.

The draft 802.11ax standard proposes significant physical layer (PHY) changes to provide higher average data throughput per user in crowded  environments. These changes make characterization, validation and production testing more complex.

The WTS software associated with the NI VST (vector signal transceiver) allows for Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) configurations up to 8×8, dual-band simultaneous tests, and error vector magnitude (EVM) measurements.

This release also allows to create a variety  of trigger-based multiuser scenarios in which each simulated user has unique waveform settings and impairments.  It provides built-in support for DUT control tools from leading electronic chipset suppliers.

Additionally, release 1.3 of the WTS also includes updates to the TestStand Wireless Test Module (WTM) which enables the creation of wireless communication test sequences by automatically scheduling multi-site test sequences for wireless connected equipment.

WTS software is continually evolving to meet the new RF communication requirements.