The GENIE Network Emulator (GENIE NE) provides a handset-to-handset real-time emulation of the PSTN. Using NE, it is easy to test new systems for speech and data quality. Various network impairments such as satellite delays, random, burst and fading errors of different profiles can also be emulated very simply. Most of the standard voice compression algorithms are available as easily downloadable modules. Using dedicated I/O cards such as G.703 CEPT/E1 or Central Office, NE can operate in tandem with the real network.

 

Network Emulator Basic Concept
The origins of the Network Emulator stem from the area of the workstation-based computer simulation programs such as Mentor Graphics Signal Processing Workstation (SPW). The demands for real-time modelling of telecommunication systems and the requirement for quick 'bread-boarding' of new systems able to operate in real-time, with flexibility comparable to computer-based simulation, extended the software simulation into the hardware-based emulation on which basis the Network Emulator was designed. The first concept of the Network Emulator architecture was developed jointly with BT Laboratories in 1991. It is still used for Network Subjective Testing as well as serving as a flexible development platform for new speech coding algorithms and other telecommunication oriented DSP software. The present model of the Network Emulator was designed in 1992, first as a Development Tool for the testing of new algorithms in a real-time environment and then evolving into the fully blown Network Emulator.

Description of Development system
The GENIE-DS2101 is a complete digital signal processing (DSP) system for IBM PC users aimed at telecommunications, multimedia or high-performance embedded systems applications. The module contains a 12.5MHz Analogue Devices ADSP2101 processor with external Program and Data memory. A 16-bit linear voice band audio interface provides analogue I/O. All DSP I/O functions are user-configurable via a Xilinx FPGA, configurations for which can be dynamically downloaded over the PC-AT bus. An inter-board bus allows interfacing to other GENIE products.

Development Environment
WORKBENCH II (MS Windows based) provides an interactive real-time development environment for single or multiprocessing configurations. DSP code, data, registers and variables can be monitored, edited and debugged in real time. Code changes can be made using the resident in-line assembler and dis-assembler. At the heart of WORKBENCH II is a powerful script and high-level programming language, ECO (Extended COmmand language) used to create complex DSP test environments and automate repetitive tasks. An ECO script can, for example, download FPGA configuration files and initialise a number of different GENIE-DS cards; download and run DSP programs; open code, data, register and plot windows; establish breakpoints and initiate testing procedures.

GENIE Concept
The GENIE-DS2101 is a stand-alone component of the GENIE-DS Development System. This is an open architecture application specific system made of a user-selected mix of DSP processors and I/O modules. The hardware platform is based on the industry standard PC-AT bus. The application specific feature of GENIE-DS modules is implemented by on-board Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) with access to the DSP processor, the on-board analogue interface, the PC-AT bus registers and the GENIE bus. By downloading a circuit information file into the gate array, over the PC-AT bus, the user is able to accurately model the target system without prototyping interface hardware. When combined with WORKBENCH II real-time development software, GENIE-DS considerably reduces hardware and software development time.

System Support
The DS2101 card can be integrated with a host of additional processor and intelligent I/O cards via the GENIE bus. Multiple cards can be simultaneously controlled under a single environment.

GENIE Network Emulator Enclosures
The GENIE NER-5 is built around a 5-slot PC backplane, housing a maximum of 4 DSP and I/O cards. A portable 3U case with a handle is provided.
The GENIE NER-12 is built around a 12-slot PC backplane, housing a maximum of 11 DSP and I/O cards. A portable 3U case with a handle is provided.
The GENIE NER-20 is built around a 20-slot PC backplane, housing a maximum of 19 DSP and I/O cards. Two types of housing are available, 19" 4U rack or 19" portable 4U case with a handle.