{"id":2515,"date":"2019-07-16T07:17:05","date_gmt":"2019-07-16T07:17:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/35.94.173.37\/blog\/?p=2515"},"modified":"2024-11-05T07:22:14","modified_gmt":"2024-11-05T07:22:14","slug":"why-national-instruments-pxi-platform-is-the-choice-for-communications-and-navigation-systems-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.apexwaves.com\/blog\/why-national-instruments-pxi-platform-is-the-choice-for-communications-and-navigation-systems-test\/","title":{"rendered":"Why National Instruments PXI Platform is the Choice for Communications and Navigation Systems Test"},"content":{"rendered":"

As rogue elements continually improve countermeasures for modern navigation and communication systems, engineers need instrumentation and software solutions that are flexible enough to allow for the design and testing of evolving threats and complex signals.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The miracle of radio communications faces a growing number of interfering elements, threatening\u00a0vital communications<\/strong>\u00a0between military units and commands.<\/strong>\u00a0Clear and secure signals are essential to successful defense measures.\u00a0National Instruments<\/strong>\u00a0designed and created the PXI family of components and software for testing communication systems, including RF hardware, transponders, and environment simulation.<\/p>\n

This makes NI\u2019s\u00a0PXI systems<\/a>\u00a0ideal for detecting and monitoring rogue interference signals and transmitters in wireless communication environments. PXI software tools and\u00a0FPGA<\/strong>s allow users to program systems to fit a variety of situations for analyzing and processing\u00a0communication signals<\/strong>\u00a0quickly and without errors.<\/p>\n

Here are a few examples of how the National Instruments PXI platform is helping defense-related\u00a0navigation and communication systems<\/strong>\u00a0stay safe, secure, and operational.<\/p>\n

Record and Playback Testing<\/strong><\/h1>\n

NI\u2019s PXI platform provides the flexibility and programmable components for record and playback testing on DF systems for spectrum surveillance, passive and over-the-horizon radar, and varying antenna measurements. These systems typically use\u00a0intermediate frequency<\/strong>\u00a0(IF) signals.<\/p>\n

IF is a\u00a0frequency\u00a0that operates in a 5 MHz \u2013 2 GHz range at 800 MHz of bandwidth. A\u00a0PXI Express controller<\/strong>\u00a0houses an onboard FPGA that processes incoming signals and transfers the data to other devices for testing and evaluation. Theoretically,\u00a0data streaming rates<\/strong>\u00a0of up to 4 GB per second can be achieved.<\/p>\n

In\u00a0the white paper referenced<\/a>, multiple\u00a0PXI wideband IF digitizers<\/strong>\u00a0were used to synchronize input from up to 12 DF antennas to solve challenges with streaming and recording RF signals.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Simulation Testing<\/strong><\/h1>\n

In this case study,\u00a0NI PXI products<\/a>\u00a0were used to create a scalable and flexible\u00a0automated XPDR Test System<\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0Becker Avionics<\/a>. The flexibility and scalability allowed engineers to simulate different testing scenarios for real airborne environments, including:<\/p>\n