FPGA Implementation of a Pseudo-Random Aggregate Spectrum Generator for RF Hardware Test and Evaluation

dc.contributor.authorBaweja, Randeep Singhen
dc.contributor.committeechairHeadley, William C.en
dc.contributor.committeechairDhillon, Harpreet Singhen
dc.contributor.committeememberMichaels, Alan J.en
dc.contributor.committeememberSchaumont, Patrick R.en
dc.contributor.departmentElectrical Engineeringen
dc.date.accessioned2020-10-10T08:00:17Zen
dc.date.available2020-10-10T08:00:17Zen
dc.date.issued2020-10-09en
dc.description.abstractTest and evaluation (TandE) is a critically important step before in-the-field deployment of radio-frequency (RF) hardware in order to assure that the hardware meets its design requirements and specifications. Typically, TandE is performed either in a lab setting utilizing a software simulation environment or through real-world field testing. While the former approach is typically limited by the accuracy of the simulation models (particularly of the anticipated hardware effects) and by non-real-time data rates, the latter can be extremely costly in terms of time, money, and manpower. To build upon the strengths of these approaches and to mitigate their weaknesses, this work presents the development of an FPGA-based TandE tool that allows for real-time pseudo-random aggregate signal generation for testing RF receiver hardware (such as communication receivers, spectrum sensors, etc.). In particular, a framework is developed for an FPGA-based implementation of a test signal emulator that generates randomized aggregate spectral environments containing signals with random parameters such as center frequencies, bandwidths, start times, and durations, as well as receiver and channel effects such as additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). To test the accuracy of the developed spectrum generation framework, the randomization properties of the framework are analyzed to assure correct probability distributions and independence. Additionally, FPGA implementation decisions, such as bit precision versus accuracy of the generated signal and the impact on the FPGA's hardware footprint, are analyzed.This analysis allows the test signal engineer to make informed decisions while designing a hardware-based RF test system. This framework is easily extensible to other signal types and channel models, and can be used to test a variety of signal-based applications.en
dc.description.abstractgeneralTest and evaluation (TandE) is a critically important step before in-the-field deployment of radio-frequency signal hardware in order to assure that the hardware meets its design requirements and specifications. Typically, TandE is performed either in a lab setting utilizing a software simulation or through real-world field testing. While the former approach is typically limited by the accuracy of the simulation models and by slower data rates, the latter can be extremely costly in terms of time, money, and manpower. To address these issues, a hardware-based signal generation approach that takes the best of both methods mentioned above is developed in this thesis. This approach allows the user to accurately model a radio-frequency system without requiring expensive equipment. This work presents the development of a hardware-based TandE tool that allows for real-time random signal generation for testing radio-frequency receiver hardware (such as communication receivers). In particular, a framework is developed for an implementation of a test signal emulator that allows for user-defined randomization of test signal parameters such as frequencies, signal bandwidths, start times, and durations, as well as communications receiver effects. To test the accuracy of the developed emulation framework, the randomization properties of the framework are analyzed to assure correct probability distributions and independence. Additionally, hardware implementation decisions such as bit precision versus quality of the generated signal and the impact on the hardware footprint are analyzed. Ultimately, it is shown that this framework is easily extensible to other signal types and communication channel models.en
dc.description.degreeMaster of Scienceen
dc.format.mediumETDen
dc.identifier.othervt_gsexam:27651en
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10919/100325en
dc.language.isoenen
dc.publisherVirginia Techen
dc.rightsIn Copyrighten
dc.rights.urihttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/en
dc.subjectperiodicityen
dc.subjectdigital signal processingen
dc.subjectlook-up tableen
dc.subjectmodulation schemeen
dc.subjecttransmitteren
dc.titleFPGA Implementation of a Pseudo-Random Aggregate Spectrum Generator for RF Hardware Test and Evaluationen
dc.typeThesisen
thesis.degree.disciplineElectrical Engineeringen
thesis.degree.grantorVirginia Polytechnic Institute and State Universityen
thesis.degree.levelmastersen
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Scienceen

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