Design and implementation of a wireless link coupled channel emulator for DSRC wireless systems

In this paper a hardware channel emulator for the European version of Dedicated Short Range Communication (DSRC) systems operating in the Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) frequency band from 5.725 GHz to 5.875 GHz is presented. The emulator allows reproducible tests in the design process as well as conformance and performance evaluations of mass production equipment of different suppliers. It can also be used as support to quality assurance. The paper discusses the design process and requirements for a two-sided antenna-coupled RF channel emulator system. Furthermore, the design of the necessary anechoic chambers and the system calibration process are described. Finally, measurement results are presented showing the performance of the emulator system.