Verifying the Performance of a Correlation-Based Channel Sounder in the 3.5 GHz Band with a Calibrated Vector Network Analyzer

Published

December 12, 2019

Author(s)

Jeffrey A. Jargon, Jeanne T. Quimby, Catherine A. Remley, Amanda A. Koepke, Dylan F. Williams

Abstract

We verified the performance of a correlation-based channel sounder in the 3.5 GHz band with a calibrated vector network analyzer by comparing measurements in a stable, coaxial environment at the same reference planes. The purpose of this experiment was to focus on the performance of the channel sounder’s hardware, as opposed to antenna effects or channel variations. Two conducted propagation channels were utilized – one consisting of a length of cable and an attenuator to simulate a line-of-sight channel, and another with a pair of splitters joined by cables of different lengths to simulate a multipath environment. Performing repeated measurements and estimating the components of uncertainty due to random effects, we found that the channel sounder and VNA measurements agreed to within 0.25 dB for values of path gain, and the peaks were aligned to within 2 dB for values of power delay profile.

Proceedings Title

Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference (APMC) 2019

Conference Dates

December 10-13, 2019

Conference Location

Singapore

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

comparison, conducted channel, correlation-based channel sounder, measurement, path gain, power delay profile, vector network analyzer, wireless systems

Citation

Jargon, J. , Quimby, J. , Remley, C. , Koepke, A. and Williams, D. (2019), Verifying the Performance of a Correlation-Based Channel Sounder in the 3.5 GHz Band with a Calibrated Vector Network Analyzer, Asia-Pacific Microwave Conference (APMC) 2019, Singapore, -1, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=928535 (Accessed October 20, 2025)