Phase distortions in a transmission channel are determined using group delay measurements, they must be as low as possible to maintain good signal quality. Vector network analyzers are normally used to characterize the group delay variations as a measure of phase distortion.This application note provides basic information about the concept of a group delay measurement with spectrum analyzers and signal generators, and how this method simplifies the test setup and improves the measurement speed.Measurement examples show the limiting factors of this approach and help the user to understand and avoid some limitations of this method. In addition the test results are compared to those generated with vector network analyzers.

09-Aug-2017 | AN-No. 1EF98

The R&S®SMBV100A is both, a versatile general-purpose vector signal generator and a powerful GNSS signal simulator. It can simulate up to 24 satellites in realtime for testing GNSS receivers flexibly, reliably, and cost-efficiently. The R&S®SMBV100A supports receiver testing under realistic conditions by offering features such as obscuration simulation and automatic multipath generation. Out of a multitude of possible test scenarios – with predefined or user-specific settings – this application note presents some examples to give an impression of the instrument’s capabilities.

19-Apr-2018 | AN-No. 1GP101

High throughput is the key production metric for efficient operation. Improving test speed helps reduce the cost per device. The R&S®PVT360A performance vector tester is optimized for high speed production tests.

12-Apr-2023

Characterizing RF mixers that have an internal LO using the value-of-three R&S®FPC1500 spectrum analyzer.

15-Oct-2018

Audio analyzers and test software from Rohde & Schwarz enable Dolby® licensees to subject their new products to the required compliance tests.

25-Jul-2014

3GPP TS25.141 defines conformance tests for W-CDMA base stations (including HSPA+ features). This application note describes how all required receiver (Rx) tests (TS25.141 Chapter 7) can be performed easily and quickly by using vector signal generators and CW sources from Rohde & Schwarz. One test additionally requires a spectrum analyzer from Rohde & Schwarz.Example illustrates manual operation. A free software program enables and demonstrates remote operation. The W-CDMA base station transmitter (Tx) tests (TS25.141 Chapter 6) are described in Application Note 1MA67.

21-Oct-2014 | AN-No. 1MA114

Signal Generator SMIQ has versatile analog and digital internal modulation capabilities. Optional Fading Simulator SMIQ-B14 adds a variety of fading functions to the integrated digital modulation capabilities of SMIQ at a highly attractive price as compared with similar products. This application note describes how to apply fading to signals of any source and with any type of modulation (analog and digital) in a very convenient way.

09-Mar-1998 | AN-No. 1MA07

Make more accurate power rail measurements.

03-Jan-2018

Spectrum Rider, FPH, FPH handheld spectrum analyzer, satellite ground station Satellite ground station testing up to 44 GHz with the R&S®Spectrum Rider FPH handheld spectrum analyzer Satellite ground station testing up to 44 GHz with the R&S®Spectrum Rider FPH handheld spectrum analyzer Spectrum Rider, FPH, FPH handheld spectrum analyzer, satellite ground station Satellite ground station testing up

24-Jul-2024

Application Note 1MA104 shows you how to quickly and easily create TD-SCDMA test signals for user equipment and base station tests as stipulated in the standards TS 34.122 and TS 25.142.

10-May-2007 | AN-No. 1MA104

Part 1 of the Cable and Antenna verification series – essential for Mobile Networks

Key points: Critical Infrastructure: Learn why the antenna system, as part of mobile base stations, is irreplaceable and demands meticulous attention due to its impact on network quality and availability.Vulnerability to Environmental Factors: Understand the challenges posed by weather conditions and environmental stresses on antenna systems, highlighting the importance of robust design and maintenance.Fundamental Properties: Delve into the core concepts of antenna systems, gaining insights into their transmit and receive characteristics, which serve as the foundation for effective measurement and verification.Measurement Techniques: Explore various measurement methods for antenna systems, focusing on return loss and decoupling, and their significance in assessing system performance and integrity.

23-Feb-2024 | AN-No. 8NT11

With SMIQ Signal Generator you can generate the most important Bluetooth RF test signals fast and conveniently. This application note comes with files containing modulation data for various payload patterns and burst lengths. A list of patterns is included. With the transfer software, also enclosed with this application note, you can load the data records into SMIQ and start testing immediately. BLUETOOTH is a registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson, Sweden.

30-Jan-2001 | AN-No. 1MA31

The constantly decreasing size of components and the available board space form a challenge to place adequate test connections for RF instruments. Recent improvements in the availability and use of high performance differential building blocks in RF circuits intensify the problems of connecting test equipment. Using oscilloscope probes is a possibility to perform measurements by connecting to printed circuit board lines and chip contacts where only a minimal area is required to make contact. This application note provides information on how to use oscilloscope probes in RF measurements using spectrum analyzers, and show the results of differential measurements with a spectrum analyzer.

28-Jun-2013 | AN-No. 1EF84

EW receivers are tested in the lab at RF to discover problems before flight testing. This eliminates cost and schedule risk. Flight testing can cost tens of thousands of dollars per hour and must be scheduled many months in advance. In contrast, using test equipment to test at RF might require a certain upfront cost but provides a readily-accessible capability to simulate radar threats at RF for a long time. This application note explains how the angle-of-arrival (AoA) capabilities of EW receivers can be tested with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) RF test equipment. Topics covered are the generation of scenarios, instrument setup, and setup calibration. We will use a radar warning receiver (RWR) as a proxy for a generic EW receiver in this application note.

22-Dec-2021 | AN-No. 1GP125

A new phase noise test instrument covers the frequency range from 1 MHz to 50 GHz with direct down-conversion analog I/Q mixers and baseband signal sampling. The traditional PLL has been replaced by a digital FM demodulator for phase detection and frequency tracking. An additional AM demodulator enables concurrent measurement of phase and amplitude noise. The instrument can measure phase noise as low as -183 dBc/Hz with a 100 MHz carrier frequency and 10 kHz offset within two minutes.

09-May-2016

This application note describes how to generate test signals for 13.56 MHz RFID modules according to ISO 15693 with R&S Signal Generators and analyze them with R&S Signal Analyzers using software R&S WinIQSIM™.

17-May-2006 | AN-No. RSI01

Adjacent Channel Power performance of power amplifiers used in digital TV systems has to be guaranteed over a wide frequency range, 54 to 890 MHz, which may lead to time consuming test procedures. The application software described here provides swept ACP analysis, using AMIQ and SMIQ for signal generation and FSP, FSU or FSE for signal analysis. ACP measurement is performed according to FCC Regulation 47CFR 73.622(h).

16-Oct-2001 | AN-No. 1MA43

radio signals, automatic monitoring, interference, RF radiation, frequency spectrum, Automatic monitoring of radio signals interfering with sensitive devices in hospitals Automatic monitoring of radio signals interfering with sensitive devices in hospitals radio signals, automatic monitoring, interference, RF radiation, frequency spectrum, Automatic monitoring of radio signals interfering with sensitive

04-Sep-2006

Measurements of very high noise figure components are performed for a number of reasons. For instance, in a wide range of applications, devices under test (DUT) are characterized within a complex test setup that includes high losses before or after the low noise DUT. In case of high frequencies, the switch matrix with complex signal routing and cables might have a very high loss. In other cases, the device might be embedded in a test setup where direct access is physically impossible, on-wafer probing is one example for this case. Using conventional measurement equipment, the noise figure measurement of such a device is very unstable if not impossible at all.

24-Jun-2020 | AN-No. 1EF110

This application note describes how Bluetooth devices are tested and measured using the R&S CMU200/CBT by means of the CMUgo/CBTgo remote control program or manual operation.

06-Oct-2006 | AN-No. 1CM50

During development of MU-MIMO antenna arrays, the beamforming algorithms undergo steady revision. Whether used in regression testing or verification of newly introduced features, fast beamforming verification helps to speed up R&D for beamforming antennas and improve performance of your product.

07-Jul-2020

This application note describes how to generate the noise field for ambient noise rejection tests according to 3GPP TS 26.132, sections 7.9 and 8.9.

12-Oct-2010 | AN-No. 1GA51

The introduction of the transmission of compressed TV signals to MPEG2 and DVB for cable, satellite and terrestrial (COFDM) lead to the creation of many abbreviations that have to be explained to the “uninitiated”. In the previous three lines, three abbreviations whose meanings are not obvious have already been mentioned. A table explaining what these abbreviations mean is therefore essential.

20-Jul-2001 | AN-No. 7BM27

Next Generation Emergency Call (NG eCall) is a extension of eCall, a service provided in Europe with the goal of reducing response times for accidents or other emergencies on the roadways. This application note briefly describes the technology behind NG eCall and presents conformance tests for NG eCall using the R&S®CMW500 RF tester and either the R&S®SMBV100B or the R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator. The test software for NG eCall (R&S®CMW-KA096) makes it quick and easy to perform these tests with the LTE wireless communications standard.

06-Jun-2019 | AN-No. GFM312

The R&S MATLAB® Toolkit for R&S® NRP-Z Sensors provides routines for remote controlling these instruments via USB or the R&S® NRP Power Meter. This application note describes how to access the sensors using the R&S® VXI PnP driver. It also contains a set of scripts that perform commonly needed tasks, such as opening a sensor connection or performing measurements.

05-Mar-2011 | AN-No. 1GP61

The R&S®RTO6 oscilloscope has an in-depth tool for debugging custom and commercial off-the-shelf serial buses for the avionics and aerospace industries.

20-Dec-2023

This application note describes how to use two or more Arbitrary-/Function Generators R&S® AM300 to generate multi-phase-sychronized signals, which are required in some applications.

27-Jun-2007 | AN-No. RAC-0705-0038

Since June 2017 almost all radio transmitters and receivers sold or put into operation in the European Union have to be tested for immunity against interferers in adjacent frequency bands. ETSI standard EN 303 345 defines the tests to be performed on broadcast sound receivers, and the requirements to be passed.This application note describes the test procedures and provides script files and interferer signals for the Broadcast Test Center R&S®BTC.

29-May-2020 | AN-No. 1GP117

A measurement campaign quantifying the impact of intermodulation in 5G TDD networks

Critical infrastructure: With the deployment of TDD networks, the mobile network community recognizes the critical importance of cell synchronization and the use of uniform TDD patterns across different networks for the proper operation of mobile radio networks. Variety of scenarios: Possible scenarios include cross-border situations, interactions between private campus networks and public mobile networks, and accidental synchronization chain breaks or misconfigurations within the mobile network.Measurement techniques: To quantify the effects of non-synchronized cells and using different TDD pattern in neighboring networks, R&S, in collaboration with TU Dresden and Advancing Individual Networks GmbH (AIN), conducted a measurement campaign using movable networks with full control over all network parameters. This campaign measured the effects on uplink and downlink throughput, mapping these to RSSI/RSRP values received at the interfered site.Customer benefits: The available quantification is valuable for predicting and assessing potential interference scenarios before setting up and operating a new cell site.

11-Sep-2024 | AN-No. 8NT18

Using a Vector Network Analyzer from the ZVR family, not only magnitude and phase can be measured, but also group delay and even phase delay. Whereas phase delay measurements produce the highest accuracy for the electrical length of non-dispersive devices under test, such as coaxial cables, group delay measurements also give a detailed insight into the frequency dependent delay characteristics of dispersive devices, such as filters. In addition to the traditional step aperture technique, Vector Network Analyzers from the ZVR family offer a frequency aperture technique, which allows a well defined and constant aperture for group delay measurements also for a nonlinear frequency sweep.

28-Jul-1998 | AN-No. 1EZ35