Vienna Wireless Testbed

Research in wireless data transmission and mobile communication is often based on simulations. Using such simulations one can compare the performance and verify the correct operation of developed algorithms and transmission schemes. Nevertheless, real-world performance measurements of wireless communiations techniques might give further insights and may help at investigating transmission scenarios where simulation is not feasable up to now. This work deals with the set-up, implementation and verification of a system for carrying out real-world measurements on wireless data transmission schemes. Based on an existing wireless multiple input multiple output (MIMO) testbed developed at the Institute of Telecommunications of the Vienna University of Technology, a redesign of the existing setup was necessary for being able to carry out measurements on today’s mobile communication standards. Within this work all major parts the wireless testbed consists of will be described. Furthermore, a description of all software implemented for carrying out measurements is given. The testbed is characterized in terms of signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) and data throughput using a Long Term Evolution (LTE) signal. The obtained measurement results are compared with simulations to verify the correct operation of the involved hardware and software.