A flexible hardware demonstrator/channel sounder concept for the development of digital transmission methods

We describe a concept for both a channel sounder and a hardware demonstrator for digital transmissions. It offers the advantages of high flexibility, a comfortable user interface, and (remote) access from multiple sites. Especially the last feature makes it an interesting candidate in a situation where several partners located at different sites share a common project, for example in national and international cooperation. The basic principle used is burst transmission. Standard simulation tools are connected with the hardware demonstrator. This allows to completely implement all signal generation and evaluation in non-realtime, with little effort. A layered control structure in combination with a link to the Internet allow for remote access to the demonstrator system. Examples for possible applications are: channel measurement, algorithm development and verification (e.g., synchronization and estimation), evaluation of parameter variations and investigation of deviations from ideally simulated behavior. Even a full transmitter/receiver implementation is possible. This paper explains the demonstrator system concept and describes an extension for multiple antenna investigations.