IoT

Foremost prepares for multi-band network PIM test

Mon, Mar 30, 2020

A rugged enclosure for PIM testing in complex multi-band 4G and 5G networks has been developed by Foremost Electronics, working closely with customer, AceAxis.

AceAxis creates intellectual property rights (IPR) and technology to build, test and analyse the telecomms networks of the future. The company says it is a pioneer in the development of remote radio head (RRH) and embedded test and measurement technology for the telecomms market. Its technology is changing the way cell-site radio equipment is designed and tested and introducing products with a focus on innovation, value, time to market and quality.

AceAxis required a case for a single board device for passive intermodulation (PIM) testing in complex multi-band 4G and 5G networks. The test system analyses the digital bitstream (I/Q data) on the fibre interface between the base band unit (BBU) and remote radio head (RRH) to measure the effects of PIM.

There were a number of very specific requirements for the enclosure. It had to be a compact customer-specific form factor with a maintenance-free conduction cooling concept for a high thermal performance without the use of fans. It also required comprehensive EMC shielding and the integration of custom-developed rubber frames to protect the surface of the case, eliminating the use of conventional rubber feet, while ensuring a firm grip even when the enclosures are stacked or placed on a workbench or table.

Foremost is an added value channel partner for nVent Schroff and therefore has access to a wide range of standard, customisable and complete custom enclosure solutions and accessories.

To shorten the development time for a non-standard case Foremost used products from the nVent Interscale case range for the AceAxis design. The Interscale enclosure range provides a choice of enclosures with heights of one, two or 3U and with various widths and depths. It offers a range oof matched accessories such as mounting plates for PCBs or fan kits if required.

The Interscale components selected provided customisation and guarantees  EMC protection with a special locking mechanism of the side panels. Fan cooling was not permitted, so a heatsink with a thermal pad to the processor was used. The custom rubber frame assembly is screwless and easy to remove and the cases have been painted to meet AceAxis’ requirements.

Foremost is a specialist distributor of electromechanical components.

http://www.4most.co.uk

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Analyser conducts RF interference measurements and PIM troubleshooting

Fri, Mar 27, 2020

Reducing test time and costs, the IQ Fiber Master MT2780A is a multi-port CPRI-based RF and PIM analyser, claimed by Anritsu to be the first instrument to perform true passive intermodulation (PIM) analysis over fibre and present RF spectrum results derived from IQ data.

The MT2780A reduces test costs and time by providing field engineers, field technicians and third-party contractors with a single instrument to conduct RF interference measurements and PIM troubleshooting on LTE-based systems using CPRI front haul infrastructure.

The IQ Fiber Master uses patented PIM over CPRI and RF over CPRI measurement capabilities that allow tests to be conducted on the ground. This reduces tower climbs, reports the company. Field engineers and technicians can use the MT2780A to scan the uplink RF signals of a remote radio head (RRH) for in-band interference while simultaneously conducting PIM over CPRI measurements. It supports all Tier 1 LTE basestation radio manufacturers, reports Anritus and can determine if key performance indicators are being affected by interference or PIM.

Analysing CPRI IQ data allows users to view a radio’s uplink spectrum for interference troubleshooting. The IQ Fiber Master measures PIM over CPRI with four small form factor pluggable (SFP) inputs, enabling users to compare multiple bands and sectors. Measurements are performed on live cell tower traffic signals, enabling real-world testing to be conducted with no system downtime. As measurements are derived from baseband IQ data, the IQ Fiber Master can make measurements on any frequency RRH, or combination of frequencies.

The IQ Fiber Master analysis results provide a full PIM diagnosis. It will report the presence of PIM, whether it is internal or external, and the distance to PIM. In addition, the proprietary PIM heat map displays which transmitter contributes the most PIM. This collective diagnosis data shortens the entire PIM hunting exercise by directing field engineers and technicians to the most probable location and cause of the issues.

For on-going monitoring, the IQ Fiber Master can be installed at cell sites to conduct long-term PIM over CPRI measurements and provide analytical information. PIM-related problems, such as intermittent PIM occurring on specific days and times or changes in PIM due to basestation load during the day, can be measured in this configuration. Reports of the measurements can be generated and used for comparative analysis.

The IQ Fiber Master MT2780A also serves as a band-less PIM testing solution that can be a carrier’s first test tool when identifying an interference problem and its location.

All LTE bands are supported. The IQ Fiber Master MT2780A is compact and lightweight; it can fit in to the palm of the hand, says Anritsu. It weighs 1kg (2.2lbs) and measures 185 x 133 x 55mm (2.1 x 7.3 x 5.2-inches).

http://www.anritsu.com

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Harman’s development tool enhances vehicles’ in-cabin experience

Thu, Mar 26, 2020

To support innovation in vehicles’ in-cabin experiences, Harman’s AudioworX is an open-framework unified audio platform that enables rapid design using either Harman’s software or proprietary tools. Using the platform, vehicle manufacturers can differentiate brands yet also quickly adapt to the latest consumer preferences.

It is built on Harman’s acoustic, signal processing to provide personalised in-vehicle audio and entertainment in entry level to luxury vehicles, with Individual Sound Zones (ISZ), virtual venues, Clari-Fi and quantum logic immersion (QLI).

AudioworX has combined with networking, software comms and cloud computing technology company, NTT and collaborated to customise its beam forming, echo cancellation and other communications technologies to create personalised in-cabin communication and noise management solutions.

“NTT brings a level of telecommunications expertise and experience that, when combined with the power and flexibility of the AudioworX platform, helps to unlock an elevated environment for in-car communication,” said Chris Ludwig, vice president, EPIC experience team, Harman Lifestyle Automotive.

Harman AudioworX is available now to OEMs and software developers.

Harman designs and engineers connected products for automotive makers, consumers, and enterprises worldwide including connected car systems, audio and visual products, enterprise automation solutions and services supporting the IoT.

More than 50 million automobiles on the road today are equipped with Harman audio and connected car systems. Its software services power billions of mobile devices and systems that are connected, integrated and secure across all platforms, from work and home to car and mobile. Harman’s workforce extends across the Americas, Europe, and Asia.

http://www.harman.com

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Aitech’s Nvidia-based system brings AI to high-rel applications

Thu, Mar 26, 2020

Aitech has joined the Nvidia Partner Network as a Preferred Solutions Integration partner. This means the company can continue developing artificial intelligence (AI) at the edge solutions across multiple industries, said Dan Mor, GPGPU and HPEC product line manager at Aitech. “With our expertise in mission-critical, rugged electronics, Aitech is bringing this powerful processing capability to a wide range of military, defence and space applications,” he added.

The Nvidia Xavier-based A178 Thunder AI system has 512 CUDA cores (twice as many as Jetson TX2-based systems) and 64 Nvidia Tensor Cores, which amplify the matrix processing of large data sets by enabling higher levels of computation with lower power consumption, explains Aitech. The AI system can handle up to 32 trillion operations per second (TOPS) to provide local processing of high volumes of data closest to system sensors. This represents a 10x increase over initial testing of prior generations of GPGPU-based systems.

The A178 Thunder weighs less than 5.5lbs, or 2.5kg and measures 8.5 x 3.2 x 6.8 inches (approximately 216 x 81 x 173mm). It is SWaP-optimised and is suitable for a number of military and defence applications, such as distributed computing and signal processing in next-generation autonomous vehicles as well as surveillance, targeting and electronic warfare (EW) systems.

The A178 is supported by the EV178, Aitech’s evaluation board that allows embedded engineers to develop and port AI applications to the high performance, rugged Xavier-based AI system.

http://www.aitechsystems.com

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