The National Wireless Electronic Systems Testbed and its Initial Development

The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology and the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration are developing the National Wireless Electronic Systems Testbed (N-WEST), an experimental facility for characterizing the performance of wireless systems and the dependence of their performance on components, subsystems, modulation, propagation, interference, and other factors. N-WEST will distribute its data widely among its participants with the intention that they will come to compatible conclusions on technical grounds and thereby to consensus regarding appropriate operational standards and component specifications. N-WEST will focus much of its early effort on broadband wireless access in the millimeter-waves bands, particularly on the 28-31 GHz Local Multipoint Distribution Service auctioned to the private sector in early 1998.