WiMAX testbench

has developed a WiMAX simulation testbench to support the launch of

reference code for implementing multi-antenna basestations.

The software simulates subscriber transmissions, providing an independent testing facility that can be used by developers alongside Aspex's 802.16d/e PHY baseband architecture in a PC-based software development environment.

Based on the Linedancer family of processors, Aspex's WiMAX PHY reference code delivers a software-defined radio architecture and support for multi-antenna techniques such as MIMO and beam-forming.

Cambridge Consultants deployed a large team of engineers on the project, producing the simulator in just six weeks to support Aspex's WiMAX introduction. Written in MatLab, the model simulates WiMAX subscriber transmissions and channel noise, giving system developers the means to begin developing transceiver equipment, and to test and verify multi-antenna 802.16e design concepts in the lab.

Aspex's fully software programmable Linedancer processor with its 4096 parallel processing elements is a key feature of the PHY reference code. The front-end radio architecture allows vendors to deploy dynamically adaptable equipment that can modify its footprint as the subscriber base evolves. This creates a platform that may be software-upgraded to support the evolving WiMAX family of standards as well as the OEM's own ideas and IP.

The WiMAX subscriber model simulates an OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) transmitter. By creating simple scripts defining standard MAC messages, developers can simulate subscriber transmissions to exercise the basestation receiver.

Aspex recently launched its WiMAX Development Kit consisting of the Accelera PCI-X plug-in card, which implements the WiMAX basestation PHY in real-time, and the Cambridge Consultants Matlab testbench.