Designing and implementing an active phased array antenna requires precise characterization of individual components and the integrated performance of the array. To ensure an accurate test of the intended adaptive nature of the active phased array antenna, the embedded algorithms need to be tested as well.This application note aims to explain test procedures and give recommendations towards characterization of the relevant parameters for active phased array antennas and their passive subsystem, as often used in applications for Mobile Communication and RADAR. This application note describes transmit signal quality testing, multi-element amplitude and phase measurement techniques both in receive and transmit cases and introduces a new automated test methodology antenna radiation pattern measurement over frequency. This paper also describes the test system used for transmit and receive module (TRM) characterization in active array antennas.

04-Jul-2016 | AN-No. 1MA248

This document is divided in two parts and starts with an introduction in AC-DC conversion principles in general. It will present the most common circuits used for different power levels. The switching mode power supply (SMPS) converter will be the main focus as they are used everywhere in the electronics. Especially the flyback converter design in different flavors are highlighted. Nevertheless, all measurements are also applicable for other SMPS converter designs operating at higher power levels.In the second part of this document, most relevant testing methods and procedures of an AC-DC converter are highlighted. For each testing section, a fundamental part will be upfront discussed and it is followed by a presentation of a suitable measurement method. In this second part, the device under test (DUT) is considered as black box device and thus the structure is similar. Therefore, the testing parts consists of methods related to input tests, output tests and a combination of both like efficiency. Of course, some test performed at the output of the converter are also relevant for DC-DC converter, e.g. the validation of the output ripple.

14-Nov-2022 | AN-No. 1SL387

In an ideal scenario, a probe accurately transmits a signal from the device under test (DUT) in its original form with no alterations. Differential probes are designed to eliminate common-mode (CM) distortion by cancelling out identical signal artifacts on each socket relative to earth. In practice, issues such as poor CM rejection, frequency response degradation and signal distortion can compromise signal integrity, particularly in high-speed power applications where signal fidelity is crucial.

25-Nov-2024

The need for higher data rates and flexibility for IP and Cable TV (CATV) has led to the introduction of DOCSIS®3.1. With channel bandwidths up to 192 MHz and 96 MHz on the downstream and upstream respectively as well as the cable network frequency extension up to 1.2 GHz (1.8 GHz as a future extension) the technical requirements of cable components have increased significantly. This application note describes a test scenario tor testing cable components with an R&S®CLGD Cable Load Generator for DOCSIS 3.1 or R&S®SFD DOCSIS 3.1 Generator and an R&S®FSW Signal & Spectrum Analyzer.

24-Jan-2017 | AN-No. 1MA285

A vector-modulated microwave signal can be generated by mixing an I/Q-modulated signal with a microwave carrier. This Application Note describes the frequency upconversion using a standard passive mixer. The basics of mixer operation are introduced and the conversion process is demonstrated in detail with a test setup and corresponding measurements. The mixer selection guide will make it easier to choose a proper mixer for individual applications.

18-Dec-2008 | AN-No. 1GP65

To analyse the quality of CD players, lots of measurements have to be done. This application note presents a program, which combines these measurements to an automatically running sequence and gives a printout of the results. A test CD is used for generating the test signals. Here the Audio Test Disc UPA-CD from Rohde & Schwarz is used, which holds all required signals in a sequence permitting automatic measurements to be carried out, without the need of controlling the CD player. In addition, this application note explains the measurements and informs about the different standards.

16-Feb-1998 | AN-No. 1GA21

The R&S®QPS quick personnel security scanners are new, high-resolution security scanners designed specifically to make people screening at security checkpoints faster, more effective and comfortable.

23-Jan-2019

Rohde & Schwarz instruments can be shared when users wish to use the same instrument. This can be done quite easily with the LAN interface, which comes as a standard option. Through this interface, Rohde & Schwarz instruments can be connected directly to a network, and users with access to the network can manually operate the instrument from a remote computer. This Application Note lists all instruments that support these features and describes the steps necessary to set up and configure the network connection to operate these instruments remotely.

05-Jul-2007 | AN-No. RAC-0703-0029

Monitoring on up to 10 000 channels with different parameter settings

13-Jul-2012

Vector network analyzers are the most accurate instruments in the microwave engineer’s lab. The R&S®ZNA takes accuracy to a new level. Not only is the instrument extremely precise, but now it also calculates and displays the measurement uncertainty right on the screen as the device under test is being measured.

19-Jul-2021

RF interference is one of the largest contributors to poor network performance. It shows up in dropped calls and low data throughput rates. Traditionally, interference hunting means you get a list of sites with bad performance from an OSS. This defines the areas for interference hunting quite well.If, however, the problem remains after attempts at mitigation, it could be because other sources often mask symptoms of RF interference. Usually the strongest masking is due to the overlap between the interference signal and your network's signals. Analysis could involve complete cities or even countries, an error-prone task when using traditional spectrum analyzers and/or portable receivers and one that consumes a significant amount of time and budget.A more automated solution for larger areas can make the effort involved more manageable. The Rohde & Schwarz network scanner family (R&S®TSME, R&S®TSMA and R&S®TSMW) plus the network problem analyzer (NPA) feature of the R&S®ROMES4 measurement software is such a solution. It allows you to perform a fast drive test with a fleet of cars and collect spectrum data for your targeted or even complete network area in next to no time. Back at your office, the NPA tells you where to send dedicated interference hunting teams with an analyzer or receiver to track down the source of interference. This paper introduces the approach in detail.

02-Oct-2017 | AN-No. 1MA293

The R&S CMW500/270 can generate and measure standard-compliant WLAN IEEE 802.11ac signals with bandwidths from 20 MHz up to 160 MHz.This document explains the CMW solution for the signals with 160 MHz bandwidth and describes the required configurations step by step.

21-Oct-2013 | AN-No. 1CM101

This Rohde & Schwarz application note provides an introduction into the DVB-H standard at first. It then discusses the test of DVB-H-capable mobile phones in development and production.

07-Apr-2005 | AN-No. 1MA91

Existing GSM mobile communication systems have the potential to double voice capacity by adding the “Voice services over Adaptive Multi-user channels on One Slot” (VAMOS) feature as specified in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) Release 9 specifications. This application note describes the VAMOS feature from an air interface perspective in detail and specifically illustrates the VAMOS testing solution offered by Rohde & Schwarz test equipment.

17-Aug-2011 | AN-No. 1MA181

Using R&S®RTP high-performance oscilloscopes and R&S®VSE-K6A phased array measurement option

12-Jul-2021

Oscilloscopes are the workhorses for power electronics engineers. With powerful and easyto- use FFT analysis capabilities, their application fields extend to EMI debugging – and that saves a lot of time and money. A typical task is verifying the effectiveness of an EMI filter – early in the development phase.

23-Sep-2019

The R&S®SMA100B signal generator offers a remote emulation feature that makes it possible to control the instrument by commands other than the built-in native SCPI commands. This feature allows the user to replace signal generators, e.g. from other manufacturers, with the R&S®SMA100B without having to change the remote control code.This application note describes how to use the remote emulation feature in general. Furthermore, it describes in detail the remote emulation for each supported instrument, limitations of the individual emulations and the remaining differences between the emulated and the original commands.

11-Dec-2019 | AN-No. 1GP120

Noise Power Ratio Signal Generation and Measurement

Noise Power Ratio (NPR) is an add-on tool for WinIQSIM™ to generate noise power ratio stimulus signals and measure the resulting noise power ratio of a device under test (DUT) using Rohde & Schwarz instruments via LAN or GPIB bus.

06-Nov-2015 | AN-No. 1MA29

High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) optimize UMTS for packet data services in the downlink and uplink, respectively. Together, they are referred to as High Speed Packet Access (HSPA). Within 3GPP Release 7, 8, 9 and 10, further improvements to HSPA have been specified in the context of HSPA+ or HSPA evolution. This Application Note describes how HSPA+ features can be tested using Rohde & Schwarz instruments.

26-Apr-2013 | AN-No. 1MA121

This Application Note provides an overview of the Bit Error Rate (BER) test capabilities of the Universal Radiocommunication Tester CMU300 on GSM / EDGE Base Stations. It includes information about measurement principles, the supported test environment and channels, CMU settings, operation, and ordering information.

15-Jan-2002 | AN-No. 1CM32

This white paper provides a brief technology introduction on the 802.11ac amendment to the successful 802.11-2007 standard. 802.11ac provides mechanisms to increase throughput and user experience of existing WLAN and will build on 802.11n-2009.

23-May-2012 | AN-No. 1MA192

This Application tests whether a multi-mode mobile phone supporting both GSM and IS136 has registered onto a GSM network, or an 136 network. The test set-up requires a CRTx to provide the GSM BCCH carrier, and a CMU200 to provide the IS136 DCCH carrier.

07-Mar-2003 | AN-No. 1CM31

More frequency bands and larger dynamic ranges increase the number of test points required in characterization and production of the latest RF frontends (RFFE). Actively managing test time and cost while maintaining quality is more important than ever before.

08-Jun-2020

O-RAN makes radio access networks more open, disaggregated and flexible. O-RUs need to comply with 3GPP and O-RAN standards. Automation is crucial for extensive O-RAN conformance testing since O-RAN network elements are asynchronously released.

08-May-2024

Emergency Road Assistance (ERA-GLONASS) is a service provided in the Russian Federation with thegoal of reducing response times for accidents or other emergencies on the roadways. This application note briefly describes the technology behind ERA-GLONASS and presents conformance tests for ERAGLONASS using the R&S®CMW500 RF tester and the R&S®SMBV100A vector signal generator. A Test software for ERA-GLONASS makes it quick and easy to perform these tests with the GSM or WCDMA wireless communications standard. It also shows a test solution for GNSS performance tests for ERAGLONASS using the R&S®SMBV100A vector signal generator and the option R&S®SMBV-K360 together with CMWrun.

24-Jan-2018 | AN-No. 1MA251

R&S®CMWcards, an intuitive and user-friendly software application, makes it possible to recreate field testing in a lab environment

19-Feb-2019

Spectrum clearance in mobile networks is becoming ever more important as operators use new bands that previously contained other services. This is particularly important for the 5G NR rollout. 5G NR has already initiated a worldwide deployment of TDD networks in an unknown radio environment where unwanted transmitters can create uplink interference masked by downlink signals, making interference hunting particularly demanding. Automated detection of interference signals before a network switches on can be a big help in addition to traditional manual techniques.

19-Apr-2024

Measuring and optimizing the characteristics of individual elements within an antenna array for beamforming performance of Qualcomm 5G mmWave modems SDX50 and SDX55.

25-Feb-2020

Debugging and verifying the DDR DRAM memory interface in a system design can be challenging. The R&S®RTP high-performance oscilloscope zone trigger is ideal for READ/WRITE separation as a basis for analyzing signal integrity.

06-Feb-2025

The validated UWB PHY test suite for the R&S®CMP200 radio communication tester simplifies FiRa™ Consortium PHY conformance testing.

21-Jun-2022