The solution can now be used by device manufacturers and chip designers to automatically test the conformance of their Ultra-Wideband (UWB) enabled products against version 1.3 of FiRa’s PHY specifications.
UWB is useful for devices requiring low power operating over a short range that can coexist with other Radio Frequency (RF) signals for the purpose of providing real-time location information and can also perform data exchanges with remote objects.
The NI UWB PHY test solution is based on the NI PXI platform, giving users the ability to custom-tailor a solution that will address their needs, but in a compact format. Users can add functionality such as data acquisition channels or DUT control interfaces to customise their solution.
“As wireless standards continue to evolve, so does the complexity of testing and automated testing standards will become increasingly critical in improving time-to-market,” said David Hall, Director of Marketing, Global Business Units, NI. “To receive FiRa Validation of our UWB PHY Test Solution means we can now provide our customers with a UWB test bench that has successfully undergone the rigorous validation procedure defined by FiRa.”
The FiRa Certification Program defines processes for verifying that candidate devices conform to the FiRa Consortium requirements and test specifications.
“Based on FiRa’s rigorous process to evaluate test tools, we are pleased to validate NI’s VST 2nd generation, PXIe-583x PHY Conformance test tool,” said Clint Chaplin and Reinhard Meindl, co-chairs of the FiRa Compliance and Certification Working Group. “This provides FiRa Authorized Test Labs and member companies the ability to verify PHY conformance with a known Validated Test Tool”.
Part of NI’s FiRa-validated UWB Test Solution is the second-generation Vector Signal Transceiver, the PXIe-583x. This family of RF testers is primarily aimed at engineers working on RF front ends for wideband standards, such as 5G and Wi-Fi 6E/7.
One of the unique attributes of the VST is its highly scalable software architecture. The UWB specific parts of this test solution leverage the ultra-flexible and efficient toolkit from its partner, MaxEye Technologies.
