Application of universal software defined PXI platform for the performance evaluation of FM-DCSK communications system

A specific method for the application of a universal software defined wireless platform is presented to determine system performance of communications system based on real field tests. On the platform every application can be implemented: the transmitter and the receiver establishing a wireless link, the communications channel and the algorithm to determine system performance. Implementation is done in software that offers flexible, efficient and cheap solution for performance testing. Every physical RF analog signals generated or processed in software can be recovered on the PXI hardware platform used in our tests. Since the analog RF output and input of the transceiver are available, real field tests can be performed or even the system performance can be evaluated in a real operating network. Using the PXI platform, based on real field tests the evaluation of system performance of a 2.4-GHz ISM band wireless communication system with FM-DCSK modulation is presented here. A systematic method for the validation of system implemented on the PXI HW is provided.