RFIC Test Software 21.5

The National Instruments development team is pleased to announce the availability of RFIC Test Software 21.5. This software enables you to explore testing advanced RF integrated circuit (RFIC) devices featuring envelope tracking (ET), digital predistortion (DPD), and hardware-accelerated power servoing.

RFIC Test Software 21.5 Readme

New Features
RFIC Test Software 21.5 includes the following new features:
- Support for using digital multimeters (DMMs) in system PAE measurements
- Support for using a power meter at the DUT input port for power measurement or power servo
- Support for new functionalities in the example sequences generated by RFIC Test Automation Wizard
- New C# examples and TestStand sequences for NanoSemi DPD single- and dual-band in RFIC Test Automation Wizard
- Enhancements to the fast convergence algorithm in cross-correlation EVM measurements

RFIC Test Software is application software that helps you bring-up, validate, and characterize wideband LTE, 5G NR, and Wi-Fi power amplifiers and front-end modules. This application integrates precision DC, digital, analog, and RF instrumentation for synchronized test bench control of interactive and automated validation of RF front ends. You can measure and record AM/AM, AM/PM, gain, ACLR, EVM, PAE, and more with and without various types of digital predistortion (DPD)—including dual-band or custom algorithms.

RFIC Test Software helps you perform power, frequency, and output load sweeps without writing any code; run accurate dynamic measurements with an integrated interface for MIPI RFFE, SPI or other digital protocols; and measure ultra-low EVM for Wi-Fi 7 and 5G NR modulation schemes with patented cross-correlation algorithms.

In this video we’re going to look at how you can simplify dynamic Error Vector Magnitude measurements of wideband Wi-Fi power amplifiers. We take advantage of NI’s modular RF front end validation bench and the RFIC Test Software to turn on, control, and take fast RF measurements on a PA designed for the new 6 to 7.125 GHz band. Additionally, this demonstration shows how easy it is to configure dynamic control of the PA enable digital line to validate the amplifier’s dEVM performance with a new 802.11be – or Wi-Fi 7 – signal occupying 320 MHz of bandwidth and using the upcoming 4096-QAM modulation scheme.
Since 1976, National Instruments has equipped engineers and scientists with tools that accelerate productivity, innovation and discovery. NI’s graphical system design approach to engineering provides an integrated software and hardware platform that speeds the development of any system needing measurement and control. The company’s long-term vision and focus on improving society through its technology supports the success of its customers, employees, suppliers and shareholders.