EDI CON China 2015 took place in the heart of the Beijing Olympic Village on April 14-16 at the China National Convention Center (CNCC). Over the 3 day event, 2625 attendees visited the exhibition and conference with a delegate count of 1214. The conference featured 5 parallel tracks on topics such as amplifier and component design, radar simulation and analysis, design for IoT, RF/microwave measurement and modeling, high speed design and measurement, sub-system and system design, PCB and connector design, and EMC/EMI modeling and measurement. New this year was a full day 5G Forum featuring keynotes by China Mobile and Ericsson, an expert panel session, 8 technical sessions and 2 workshops. The 5G panel keynote session had 124 attendees and the panel session had more than 150. The average session size for all of the EDI CON sessions and workshops was close to 50 attendees.
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The plenary kicked off with EDICON Chairman Professor Song from the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications discussing Smart Cities. He stated that more than 500 smart cities are under development in China with a forecast of $5 trillion in investment through 2017. Keynotes from China Mobile, China Unicom and ZTE followed discussing their vision of 5G and the latest results for 5G proto-types. China Mobile highlighted their smart tile transceiver approach to massive MIMO for 5G deployments. The three main sponsors also presented (Keysight, R&S and National Instruments) on the latest trends in test and measurement plus their contributions to 5G research. This was followed by the Keysight sponsored reception dinner that had about 350 attendees enjoy traditional Chinese music and cuisine.
The exhibition had close to 100 companies displaying their products and services. A wide range of companies participated such as test/measurement, software/modeling, devices/components, EMC/EMI, PCB materials, and cable/connector companies. Here is a summary of some of the products we saw at the exhibition starting with our 3 main sponsors, Keysight, R&S and NI:
Keysight was the host sponsor of EDI CON and had many demos in their booth about their cutting edge test/measurement systems. They had a 5G demo to verify wide bandwidth Tx/Rx prototypes in real environments, to implement new 5G candidate waveforms that generate up to 4 GHz of bandwidth for both sub-6 GHz and mmW frequencies and reach up to 10G bps data throughput.
For high speed digital applications, Keysight offers complete PAM-4 solutions for simulation plus input and output design characterization for 32 Gbaud and beyond. Keysight provided an overview of PAM-4 and PAM-N design, an explanation of the latest measurement techniques, and an illustration of design and debug approaches and test solutions. Keysight’s solutions for DDR memory applications are driven and supported by Keysight experts that are active in the Joint Electronic Devices Engineering Council (JEDEC). Their involvement in standards groups enables Keysight to bring the right solutions to the market when our customers need them. Keysight offers a complete solution set from electrical to protocol. The Keysight E5080A is the next-generation ENA Series Network Analyzer, providing best-in-class performance, flexible functionality and advanced usability. With its intuitive, touch-based interface, the E5080A streamlines your measurement flow and achieve better results in less time. This new instrument implements a converged platform that leverages the best attributes of the ENA and PNA families.
Keysight has one-box test solutions that deliver fast measurement speeds, repeatable accuracy, and flexibility for testing today's mobile devices and femtocells. That translates to lower costs and increased profit margins for your company. There's a Keysight solution for testing the major wireless technologies and wireless connectivity formats including: LTE-Advanced, LTE FDD, LTE TDD, GSM/GPRS/EGPRS/E-EDGE, W-CDMA/HSPA/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA, cdma2000®/1xEV-DO/eHRPD, TD-SCDMA/TD-HSDPA/TD-HSUPA, IS-95, TIA/EIA-136, AMPS, Bluetooth®, Bluetooth Enhanced Data Rate (EDR), Bluetooth Low Energy, ZigBee, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac WLAN, and WiMAX™.
Rohde & Schwarz showed their a vector signal generator system with optional integrated real-time MIMO fading that supports two RF ports (up to 20 GHz each) and two digital/analog I/Q outputs (to connect additional R&S®SGS100A/SGT100A RF units). They demonstrated this setup for 5G channel modeling at EDI CON China. The I/Q modulator has up to 2 GHz RF modulation bandwidth (bandwidth of up to 160 MHz with internal baseband) and there is a phase coherence option, e.g. for beam forming applications. The also have a signal and spectrum analyzer and multi-port setup to go with the setup for 5G development. The analyzer has a frequency range from 2 Hz to 8/13.6/26.5/43.5/50/67 GHz (with external harmonic mixers from Rohde & Schwarz up to 110 GHz) with up to 500 MHz analysis bandwidth. The vector network analyzer product family offers a wide range of test capabilities ranging from 9 kHz to 4.5/8/20/40 GHz with massive MIMO test applications using network analyzers with up to 24 test ports or switch matrix solutions up to 48 ports.
R&S demonstrated an automotive sensor analysis and test system with a touch screen and Ethernet control operating at 77 GHz. It can both simulate and measure the signal characteristics for a full sensor test suite. Another demo featured was the multi-test system that can measure wide band communications, audio quality and environmental testing in one setup. Full performance and functional testing can be performed to international standards along with UE testing including data and audio quality from the end user perspective.
Their oscilloscopes provide high definition, real-time analysis. R&S has a wide range of oscilloscopes, from value class for service, maintenance and education to our top instruments for R&D or EMI debugging in the 600 MHz to 4 GHz class. The integrated digital down conversion provides fast feedback from EMI probing. Illustrating Rohde & Schwarz continued collaboration activities there was also a Load-pull demonstration in conjunction with Focus Microwaves.
National Instruments showed off their new signal analyzer operating up to 26.5 GHz with 765 MHz of bandwidth. Coupled with a FPGA module, many different kinds of signal analysis can be performed. Their demo included real-time spectral analysis with a POI of 1.5 micro seconds. NI also demonstrated their 5G rapid proto-typing system with a massive MIMO setup (16 antenna setup for demonstration purposes in the booth). The demo utilizes USRP Rio radios and a PXI chassis to aggregate all of the data. This demo is a replica of the system being evaluated at Lund University.
A second 5G demo included using Rio radio to evaluate alternative modulation schemes. It uses LABVIEW Communication Design Suite with reference designs (LTE, 802.11xx) that allows the user to evaluate new waveforms such as FBMC, UFMC, BFDM and GFDM. The design suite can load the reference design and allows researchers to modify portions of the standard signals to test different scenarios.
Aaronia AG showcased its vast array of products. Highlights included the latest in the Spectran range of realtime spectrum analyzer with frequencies up to 20 GHz and with a realtime bandwith of up to 200 MHz. The Spectran range allows continuous analysis and even a realtime data streaming (for example USB to hard disk). Also featured were the MDF
Broadband Magnetic Antennas that are available in five different versions – two passive and three active covering the frequency range from 9 kHz up to 400 MHz. Significant too is what is claimed to be the world’s smallest battery powered and INTELLIGENT stand alone RF generator up to 14GHz, which can be connected to any AARONIA antenna to produce an active field strength generator –generating test signals, testing RF/EMC shielding and carrying out EMI tests. It can be programmed with simple or very complex batch programs and can be used as a mini RF frequency and power level calibrator.
Anritsu was promoting two products: the 5820E Site Master™, a handheld cable and antenna analyzer, and the ME7838A/E VectorStar vector network analyzer (VNA). The Site Master can be ordered with the upper frequency limit from 8 to 40 GHz, allowing it to be configured for the application it will support. The unit has the capability to be used as a VNA and vector voltmeter, options that are built in and can be activated simply by installing the appropriate Anritsu supplied keys, even in the field. The VectorStar VNA offers a single frequency sweep from 70 kHz to 110 GHz with industry-leading calibration and measurement stability.
CETC41, the 41st Institute of China Electronics Technology Group Corporation develops and manufacturers test and measurement instruments for microwave, millimeter wave, and optical signals. At their booth, CETC41 featured the new AV4051 signal analyzer, a communication signal analyzer with multiple options for high frequency coverage. The lowest frequency range covers signals from 3 Hz to 4 GHz. With the appropriate option, the upper frequency limit can be extended to 9, 13.2, 18, 26.5, 40, 45 and 50 GHz.
The focus for CST was the CST STUDIO SUITE® 2015 whereby synthesis, design and optimization are tightly integrated into the simulation workflow. New design tools for filter synthesis, phased array creation and decoupling capacitor optimization supplement the tight integration with the antenna synthesis tool, Antenna Magus, and the matching circuit synthesis tool, Optenni Lab. CST STUDIO SUITE benefits from an integrated design environment which gives access to the entire range of solver technology. System assembly and modeling facilitates multi-physics and co-simulation as well as the management of entire electromagnetic systems.
DelfMEMS demonstrated what it believes to be the world’s first, twelve throw, RF MEMS ohmic contact switch. The benefits of the DelfMEMS RF-MEMS switching solution are being able to deliver the performances required for the next generation of handsets, LTE-A and beyond, with ultra-low insertion loss, outstanding isolation and superior linearity to enable full uplink carrier aggregation. The SP12T switch is currently in the qualification stage with the company anticipating shipping in the second half of 2016.
Farran Technology is a primary supplier of leading-edge millimeter-wave subsystems and systems to major systems integrators. As well as its comprehensive range of products the company launched a new 60 GHz Communication Link Frequency Extension system, which is designed to expand existing communication test systems and facilitate communication link testing beyond the frequency range of the operational frequency of existing test equipment. Applications include antenna testing, 60 GHz backhaul equipment testing and 60 GHz system chip measurements.
Huber + Suhner showcased a large proportion of its cables and connectors portfolio, including board-to-board connectors, microminiature connectors, subminiature connectors, precision multicoax connectors and quick lock connectors to highlight just a few. Aiding the local Chinese market the company promoted its RF Tools App, which is a free of charge tool that shows the relationship between RF specific values like impedance, wavelength, return loss (VSWR) and signal delay, including their conversion that can be downloaded in English and Chinese on Apple’s App Store. Also featured were the company’s high-speed digital testing solutions that can be adapted flexibly to customer requirements. Key applications include: high-speed digital chip testing, high-speed digital hardware and system testing and automatic test configurations.
Center-stage for the Microwave Vision Group was the newly launched MVG WaveStudio Over-the- Air (OTA) Measurement Suite. It is a dedicated software suite to provide data and analysis of antenna measurements from automated OTA testing with multi-probe antenna measurement systems. It speeds up measurements of both radiated and conducted power and sensitivity, performs post-processing and generates reports per the requirements set forth by standard bodies, such as CTIA and 3GPP. WaveStudio supports all wireless communications protocols in the CTIA and 3GPP testing standards and more.
Mini-Circuits is known for their expansive line of microwave components, many of which were on display in their EDI CON booth. They were highlighting their modular test systems as the solution for “feature light applications,” where the expense of traditional test and measurement equipment isn’t warranted. Using common building blocks, Mini-Circuits’ modular systems can be customized and built in under two weeks. The ZTM series, for example, is a 3U, 19 inch rack-mountable chassis that contains six hardware “windows.” Each window can be populated with standard switches and attenuators. The system is controlled through USB and Ethernet-TCP/IP interfaces and user-friendly software.
Pickering Interfaces is putting specific emphasis on the Chinese market, in particular by providing Chinese literature and local support. The company designs, develops and manufactures commercial and custom switching and instrumentation products. Featured was the eBIRST Switching System Test Tool, which verifies switching modules. Designed specifically for Pickering Interfaces’ PXI, PCI or LXI products, eBIRST simplifies switching system fault finding by quickly testing the system and identifying the faulty relays. Once identified, the tools then display a graphical representation of the switching system’s PCB assembly, highlighting the relays that need to be replaced.
Pico Technology highlighted thePicoScope 9300, which is the second iteration of the company’s sampling scopes. It has two electrical inputs that are 20 GHz. One version has an optical input of about 9.5 GHz for optical application. The PicoScope 9311, is also equipped with differential TDR/TDT, which is used for impedance characterization on transmission lines. The company has included a number of masks for testing eye-diagrams against electrical and optical standards built into the software and demonstrated the feature using a 2.5 Gbs PCI Express rev 2 signal. During the week of EDI CON the company added USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 masks to the software. Also on the booth was HongKe Technology that not only sells Pico Technology products but also writes custom software with their customers.
In addition to their booth exhibiting products from their suppliers, Richardson RFPD sponsored two successful workshops at EDI CON: Small Cell Design Solutions and a GaN Panel. The small cell workshop attracted 76 attendees, and 118 fill the room to hear the GaN panel. Representatives from Empower RF, Freescale Semiconductor, MACOM and Qorvo, representing both the user and semiconductor perspectives, discussed market needs and technology trends. The GaN suppliers discussed their respective products and market focus as well as process capabilities.
Spectrum Elektrotechnik GmbH highlighted its innovative designs of cable and connector products. Those shown included multipin connectors for coaxial cable assemblies, phase adjusters operating at 63 GHz and push-pull connectors for the SMA, N, TNC and 7/16 Series among others. The company also provides tailor-made components for specialized programs and requirements.
The focus for Spinner was on millimeter-waves with the company’s rotary joints and test and measurement equipment. Featured were Ka-band rotary joints for satellites and air-traffic control and the EasySnake flexible dielectric waveguide for mm-waves and sub-mm-waves, which combines the flexibility of a conventional RF test cable with the low-loss transmission characteristics of a classic waveguide system, initially for the frequency range from 75 to 110 GHz. The waveguide is composed of individual jointed segments that allow free movement of the line, similar to that of a coaxial measurement cable. Spinner Shanghai, which began production in 2001, currently manufactures high quality mobile communication components, broadcast filters, rotary joints and test and measurement equipment. Its motto is ‘German Quality, Made in China’.