Test system for simulating a wireless environment and method of using same

An RF module for creating and receiving RF signals in a test environment, said RF module comprising:

• a data network connection to transmit and receive data over a wired data packet network;
• at least one mounting surface, to connect a wireless network interface card, said mounting surface including connections so that a mounted wireless network interface card is in RF connection with a programmable attenuation component, wherein said programmable attenuation component is in RF connection with an RF port on said RF module;
• a controller, interfacing to said data network connection and including connections at said mounting surface, said controller to control said mounted wireless network interface card.

A method of simulating traffic in a wireless network, comprising:

• providing a modulator/demodulator component in communication with a transceiver component, said transceiver component transmitting and receiving in said wireless network;
• creating a plurality of virtual clients in connection with said modulator/demodulator, wherein said virtual clients transmit and receive data frames in said wireless network in compliance with a selected wireless communications standard, and wherein said virtual clients maintain individual state for communication protocol as required by said selected wireless communications standard.