A Hybrid Multichannel Hardware Simulator for Frequency-Selective Mobile Radio Paths

We present the analysis and design of an efficient hybrid digital/analog multichannel hardware simulator for frequencyselective Rayleigh-fading mobile radio paths. The simulator has eight RF outputs and is linear and reciprocal. All outputs exhibit mutually independent Rayleigh fading over a 45 dB range and have identical time delay spreads. Analog RF techniques are combined with a digital signal processor (DSP) to generate random path modulation. Frequency selectivity from time delay spread is created using several RF path delay elements. Simulated vehicle velocity is continuously variable from 6 to 60 mph. The simulator is thus a flexible tool for the study of mobile radio transmission techniques.