mmWave frequencies have already been selected as the standard for 5G mobile networks by the FCC, 3GPP, and other standards bodies, and are expected to play a key role in the 5G field going forward. Channel measurement identifies how wireless signals are affected by the surrounding environment. Using channel measurement, it is possible to determine how signals are reflected or how objects such as trees, buildings, vehicles, and people block the signal.

AT&T developed this channel sounder, called "Porcupine," as the first of its kind and holds exclusive rights to it. This channel sounder not only provides real-time channel parameter measurement and monitoring functionality, but also uses an architecture based on the NI mmWave transceiver system. It performs Angle-of-Arrival (AoA) measurement, which typically takes more than 15 minutes when using pan-tilt equipment, within 150 milliseconds and displays the results in real time.

Additionally, it collects channel measurement data in a unique way. In other channel sounding methods, raw data is collected and then the channel is characterized through post-processing, with measurements possible only once every 15 minutes. Porcupine can perform approximately 6,000 measurements in the same time period. This is comparable to capturing a 15-minute operation as a video instead of a single still photograph—a photograph shows only a specific moment, but video allows understanding of the full context.

James Kimery, NI RF Research and SDR Marketing Director, stated, "The most important factors that enabled AT&T and NI to design and develop a channel measurement system are the NI mmWave transceiver system and LabVIEW system design software," and added, "By combining PXIe and LabVIEW FPGA, we were able to secure the bandwidth, data and signal processing capability, and flexibility necessary to rapidly deploy 5G while meeting mmWave requirements."