Rohde & Schwarz presents the R&S®ATS1000 antenna test system, a highly accurate solution for testing 5G antennas up to mmWave frequencies in a mobile shielded chamber.

17-Oct-2017

Reflection measurements are a common way of assessing antenna system performance. When a minimum amount of the transmitted signal is reflected, it indicates that the transmission energy can reach the intended coverage. Undesired high reflection causes the system to be inefficient and can damage components. Reflection measurements can be expressed in terms of return loss, VSWR and reflection coefficient.

13-Nov-2017

The R&S®SMW200A together with the R&S®FSW is a state of the art testing solution that significantly reduces the required hardware for testing power amplifiers with envelope tracking and/or digital pre-distortion. This application note introduces the test solution in detail and presents corresponding measurement examples.

25-Sep-2014 | AN-No. 1GP104

This document describes how the advanced calibration techniques of the ZVA Vector Network Analyzers can solve the challenges of measuring the S-Parameters on impedance matching devices. The document describes the concept and setup required to perform the calibration of the ZVA and making the measurement. The procedure described in this application note applies to the ZVB and ZVT Vector Network Analyzers as well.

06-May-2009 | AN-No. 1EZ59

Balanced RF components are advantageous compared to traditional single-ended components, since they cause less EMI, and are less susceptible to EMI. This application note describes the fundamental concepts of differential and common mode signals and of mixed-mode parameters, which are essential for balanced components. Techniques for the measurement of mixed-mode parameters are presented. Examples show the features implemented in the ZVB for balanced device measurement.

20-Sep-2004 | AN-No. 1EZ53

The required bandwidth span for power amplifiers is growing, driven by the latest 5G and satellite enhancements.Ideally, amplifiers support multiple bands. This makes wideband testing more essential than ever before.

19-May-2020

Radar technology is essential for state-of-the art and future vehicles on the path to full autonomous driving. Radar sensors deliver critical information about the surrounding traffic environment or monitor the interior of the vehicle. As safety-relevant parts, radar sensors must adhere to specifications and regulations.

12-Dec-2022

Rapid and accurate verification of beamforming weights is required for example, for codebook generation or beamforming algorithm development or verification. This document describes the unique application of Rohde & Schwarz VNA (Vector Network Analyzers) to fully characterize the passive part of multi-element antennas intended for beamforming.A range of R&S VNA models are optionally equipped with multiple independent sources, whose relative amplitude and phase may be arbitrarily controlled ("defined coherence mode"), in addition to frequency and true time delay. These sources may be connected to individual elements of a multi-element antenna to derive and verify transmit (Tx) mode beamsteering and beamforming operation.The R&S®ZVA in "Defined Coherence Mode" can electronically be switched to / from the conventional S-parameter mode. Therefore, Sparameter and beamforming measurements may be performed efficiently within a single connection cycle of the antenna.Multiple VNA may be daisy-chained, to extend the concept shown to support an arbitrary number of ports.The R&S®Quickstep sequencing software may be downloaded from:https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/software/quickstep/

20-Mar-2017 | AN-No. 1MA278

The signal purity of clock sources has a direct impact on system performance. To ensure proper operation, it is necessary to verify that the purity meets the design requirements.

30-Sep-2021

Radio frequencies in bands around 28 GHz are being discussed as candidates for mobile communications of the fifth generation (5G). Beam steering will be a key feature in the context of 5G. It will be a major challenge to test the beam steering capabilities of base stations and user equipment in every phase from research and development through production. Conducted measurements will be mainly replaced by over-the-air measurements of electromagnetic radiation. Rohde & Schwarz offers the R&S®NRPM Over-the-Air (OTA) Power Measurement Solution that perfectly fits such measurement needs.Part of this solution are the R&S®NRPM-A66 antenna modules. They have integrated diode detectors. Thus, there are no cables between the antenna and the detector as in traditional setups. This avoids high and potentially unknown RF losses. The R&S®NRPM-A66 antenna modules with their integrated diode detectors are factory calibrated, which means that the user does not have to calibrate them to achieve highly accurate measurement results.This application note contains theoretical background on OTA power and pattern measurements. It gives step-by-step instructions for the verification of the power level and the radiation pattern of a device under test (DUT) in comparison to a golden device, and it presents an approach for verifying the accuracy of beam steering.

29-Aug-2017 | AN-No. 1GP118

Phase stability over time is a key characteristic for phase-coherent signals. A common 1 GHz reference signal maintains high phase stability between the RF outputs of multiple R&S®SGT100A SGMA vector RF sources.

09-Jan-2017

When analyzing the robustness of data transmission systems, jitter is a key indicator. It is recommended to use jitter measurement instruments for both the time and frequency domain in order to differentiate between fast and slow moving artifacts.

22-Aug-2017

Ethernet communications has been introduced in automotive networks to enable fast and cost efficient data communications, e.g. for the rearward camera or audio/video streaming. In the OPEN alliance (www.openSIG.org), the automotive industry has standardized the BroadR-Reach® physical layer as the automotive Ethernet communications standard. It will be part of the IEEE 802.3 standard. BroadR-Reach® uses full duplex twisted pair communications, enabling 100 Mbit/s data transfer. For interface verification the OPEN Alliance has specified a BroadR-Reach® conformance test with six test cases.

27-Mar-2015

Vector Network Analyzers (VNA) are gaining popularity in the Signal Integrity community as time domain measurement and analysis tools. VNAs with 8 ports or more can provide significant decreases in test time by migrating from a 4-port measurement system to an 8-port measurement system. For tight tolerance DUTs that are barely within the test limit lines, small increases in accuracy can be realized by testing all of the test parameters at once, because the entire test setup is at the same temperature. This application note discusses the thermal advantages of testing an 8-port DUT with the R&S ZNBT VNA. The use of the ZNBT to assess and debug two differential pairs in a 20-inch backplane is presented.

18-Mar-2020 | AN-No. 1EZ83_0E

The Doherty Amplifier continues to be rolled out in an increasing number of TxFE (Transmit Frontend) applications, as the quasi-linear amplifier architecture of choice.The advent of 5G, with its inevitable microwave or millimeter wave air interface, increase the design challenges associated with its construction; not least of all because of the potential for increased dispersion in the constituent amplifiers and combiners.This application note describes a measurement-based development methodology by which the Doherty Amplifier may be enhanced, increasing performance and/or performance bandwidth. This methodology is supported with a working example.The methodology may also be extended to balanced, spatially combined and anti-phase (so called "pushpull" or "differential") amplifiers, the latter often itself nested in Doherty configurations.The R&S®Quickstep sequencing software may be downloaded from:

26-Sep-2016 | AN-No. 1MA279

This application note describes how to measure the antenna pattern of a mm-Wave device in the R&S®ATS1000 shielded chamber. This includes the required calibration of the measurement setup and a possible near field to far field transformation when measuring larger devices.

28-May-2018 | AN-No. 1MA304

Power Added Efficiency (PAE) is a key parameter for the characterization of an amplifier.This application notes introduces two alternative methods how to do the Power Added Efficiency measurement. The first one is based on the R&S ZNB vector network analyzer (VNA) measurement function. Alternatively to this, the PAE tracer macro is introduced. This macro offers to make the PAE at an user selected compression point of the amplifier versus frequency. The PAE tracer macro is provided together with this application note.

22-May-2013 | AN-No. 1EZ64

Increasing data rates in high-speed digital designs and wireless communications require SerDes PLLs and clock synthesizers with low additive phase noise and high jitter attenuation. Modern designs often follow a two-stage architecture, consisting of a jitter-attenuator and a frequency-synthesizer stage. Due to their high phase noise sensitivity, phase noise analyzers are the instruments of choice for these tests. To stimulate the PLL, an additional signal source with ultra low phase noise is required.

01-Aug-2018

With recent enhancements in semiconductor technology the microwave frequency range beyond 50 GHz becomes more and more attractive especially for wideband communication applications like 802.11ad, microwave links or automotive RADAR. Low phase noise is essential for these applications to work properly. Accurate measurement of phase noise is needed to improve the performance. However, test setups at these frequencies become difficult, especially when cross correlation of two receive paths is needed to suppress additional phase noise added by the local oscillators or mixer stages. Two external harmonic mixers in combination with a commercially available phase noise tester are used for phase noise analysis. Signal sources with frequencies up to 500 GHz can theoretically be measured with this setup.

05-Feb-2018 | AN-No. 1EF101

This application note describes methods using an R&S®ZVA network analyzer, one or two R&S®SMB100A signal generators and an R&S®FSW signal analyzer to accurately measure all the key parameters of frequency converters with embedded local oscillator. A commercial satellite up-converter is used as a device under test example.

30-Apr-2015 | AN-No. 1MA224

The R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator combined with the R&S®FSW signal and spectrum analyzer offers fast and simple power amplifier testing including envelope tracking and digital predistortion, effectively replacing complex test setups.

22-Feb-2015

In high-speed digital measurement applications, test fixtures are commonly used to connect devices under test to measurement equipment. Characterization, and analysis in the time and frequency domains that accounts for various constraints helps to remove the influence of these fixtures.

23-May-2023 | AN-No. 1SL393

Enhanced Mobile Broadband, Massive Machine Type Communication, Ultra-reliable and low latency communication have been identified as the requirements to be supported by the 5thGeneration of Mobile Communication, short 5G. 5G is extensively discussed in the wireless industry. A lot of research and pre-development is being conducted worldwide, including an analysis of the waveforms and access principles that are the basis for current LTE and LTE-Advanced networks.In this application note we discuss potential 5G waveform candidates, list their advantages and disadvantages and compare them to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), which is used in LTE/LTE-Advanced.

10-Jun-2016 | AN-No. 1MA271

Noise figure is an important parameter that describes the noise contribution of an electronic device. A classical approach to measure the noise figure is to use a noise source which delivers two different input noise powers by switching between a “hot” and a “cold” state and a noise receiver (e.g. a spectrum analyzer).In contrast to this approach, using a vector network analyzer with the “Cold Source” approach eliminates the need for a noise source. A cold source noise power measurement followed by an available gain measurement of the device under test is sufficient to determine the noise figure of the device. This application note describes the “Cold Source” technique for measuring noise figure on the R&S®ZNA family of vector network analyzers.Background equations are provided for an analysis of noise factor, noise figure and noise temperature on a device under test and a cascade of devices.Based on a measurement example the user will be guided through the process of setting up a noise figure channel and performing a noise figure measurement. In addition, various measurement options are reviewed, providing guidance as to when and how each option should be utilized to improve the noise figure results.

23-Dec-2021 | AN-No. 1SL378

This application note describes the basic frequency filter measurements that are often required during service repairs, during development of simple circuits and for training purposes. These measurements do not always require high-end T&M equipment. Instruments in this class typically offer a very wide range of measurement functions coupled with the best-possible RF performance. However, these features are not necessary for simple applications. This application note therefore describes measurements using instruments from the cost-effective Rohde & Schwarz Value Instruments series. The instruments in this series offer the measurement accuracy demanded by quality-conscious users plus easy operation and all of the functionality needed for everyday measurement tasks.

27-Mar-2015 | AN-No. 1MA243

For measurements of non-connectorized devices, test fixtures, probes or other structures are used to adapt from the coaxial interface of the test setup to the device under test (DUT). For accurate measurements of the DUT, these lead-ins and lead-outs need to be characterized, so that their effects can be mathematically removed, i.e. de-embedded from the measurement results.This application note provides practical hints to accurately characterize and de-embed these lead-in and lead-out structures with R&S Vector Network Analyzers ZNA, ZNB, ZNBT and ZND. As de-embedding is also essential in other test equipment like oscilloscopes, etc., this guide also describes, how lead-ins and lead-outs can be accurately characterized with a VNA and then exported as an S-Parameter file to be used by other test instruments.

19-Sep-2022 | AN-No. 1SL367

Today’s digital designs and high-speed data converters require clean clocks with minimal jitter

03-Aug-2017

LTE is becoming the predominant wireless technology. Among several new features of this standard, the multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology offers various advantages.It improves the throughput, extends the reach, reduces interference and improves the signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) with beamforming. LTE supports various modes in order to optimize the transmission settings.An LTE MIMO base station consists of a baseband unit, a remote radio head (RRH) and an array of up to eight antennas. The RRH upconverts the digital signals of the baseband unit into analog signals for each antenna.

08-Aug-2024

Broadcasting transmitters are subject to particularly stringent standards with respect to broadcast signal quality, because even small faults can lead to service disruptions for many viewers. A single instrument, the R&S®ETL TV analyzer, performs all required ISDB-T transmitter measurements, from the initial acceptance testing for the transmitter, to measurements performed during commissioning and preventive maintenance.

13-May-2013 | AN-No. 7BM103

Rohde & Schwarz recognizes the potential risk of computer virus infection when connecting Windows®-based test instrumentation to other computers via local area networks (LANs), or using removable storage devices.This white paper introduces measures to minimize malware threats and discusses ways to mitigate risks while ensuring that instrument performance is not compromised.

16-Feb-2017 | AN-No. 1EB01