When analyzing the signal integrity performance of DDR interfaces, separating read and write cycles has been a challenging task. Comprehensive trigger capabilities are required – especially when attempting to recreate the eye diagram in realtime.

26-Sep-2018

Automotive Infotainment Testing

21-Feb-2018

This application note explains how to bring a CADENCE system which is attached to an R&S EX-IQ-BOX into service for the first time. The first part of the document shows how to setup an LTE Demo without using a UE design. This setup uses the R&S CMW500 as the downlink transmitter. The emulator receives the downlink via an R&S EX-IQBOX and passes it to an R&S spectrum analyzer (R&S FSx) via a second R&S EXIQ-BOX. The second part describes the real wiring using up- and downlink. This will only work if a UE design is available on the emulator.

30-Jun-2011 | AN-No. 1CM75

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

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ruled that no later than February 17, 2009, all analog NTSC broadcasting must come to an end. It is therefore not surprising that the demand for ATSC receivers is high at the time this application note was published. ATSC TV sets and set-tops are subject to the ATSC recommended practice Doc.A/74 “Receiver Performance Guidelines” before they can be sold freely in the markets that adopted the standard. Although the number of tests defined in Doc.A/74 is less extensive then the ones for their DVB-T counterparts (EN62002, MBRAI), some clarification is nevertheless due.

27-Sep-2012 | AN-No. 7BM71

This application note describes how to convert GPS routes from NMEA 0183 file format to waypoint files that can be used by the R&S®SMU200A Vector Signal Generator.

26-Sep-2008 | AN-No. 1MA133

Taking the R&S ESR EMI test receiver as an example, this paper looks at a CISPR 16-1-1- compliant test instrument with time domain scanning capabilities. The paper compares the measurement speed and level measurement accuracy of a conventional stepped frequency scan versus an advanced FFT-based time domain scan. It also contains guidance on making optimum use of time domain scans.

29-Jan-2014 | AN-No. 1EE24

For cable TV, the "last mile" to the connection at the home is the bottleneck that prevents higher data rates. The last mile is made up of optical fiber and coaxial cables, amplifiers and electrical/optical converters. This mix of optical fiber and coaxial cables is known as a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network. One option for cable network providers to maximize both the downstream (DS) and upstream (US) data throughput using the existing cable TV network, but without making expensive changes to the HFC network infrastructure, is to employ the data over cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) 3.1.This Application Note discusses the fundamental technological advances of DOCSIS 3.1 and presents measurement solutions from Rohde & Schwarz.

02-Mar-2015 | AN-No. 7MH89

Most of the tests specified in standard TS 34.121 [1] for 3GPP Rel-6 can be performed with R&S®CMU200. This document provides a step by step guide on how to perform Rel-6 measurements on transmitter characteristics and performance tests according to TS 34.121 V8.7.0 clauses 5 and 10 with stand-alone R&S®CMU200. Test cases that require additional instruments, e.g. fading generator (R&S®SMU200A or R&S®AMU200A) will be discussed in brief in this application note with recommended reference. A set of *.sav files based on R&S®CMU200 firmware V5.03 for UE supporting operating band I and power class 3 in RMC 12.2 kbps + HSPA is attached to this application note.

07-Oct-2009 | AN-No. 1CM73

The R&S®NRP-Z power sensors from Rohde & Schwarz represent the latest in power measurement technology. They offer all the functionality of conventional power meters, and more, within the small housing of a power sensor. This application note serves as a coding guide for situations in which the R&S®NRP-Z power sensors are to be used in custom test and measurement software.

06-Mar-2012 | AN-No. 1GP69

This application note describes how to create and generate standard-conform IEEE 802.15.4 test signals with the Rohde & Schwarz Vector Signal Generators (VSG).

08-Jan-2016 | AN-No. 1GP105

The R&S®RTO / R&S®RTE oscilloscope is a valuable tool for analyzing EMI problems in electronic designs. High input sensitivity, high dynamic range and a powerful FFT implementation are key features for capturing and analyzing unwanted emissions.

26-Feb-2015

The Rohde & Schwarz R&S®VTC and R&S®VTE video testers assess audio/video signals from the user's perspective (application testing). They are used to evaluate signal quality and to identify faults reliably. The tests are based on a difference analysis between the audio/video signal being tested and a reference signal. The required synchronization can be achieved by using a unique identifier, called a time code. This time code is inserted using the R&S®Time Code Inserter software described in this application note. This application note describes how time codes work and how to add a time code to any A/V file.

16-Apr-2013 | AN-No. 7BM84

The application note address test and measurement possibilities for DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X signals in the Ku & Ka -band. The AN includes detailed description of measurement setups, DVB-S2 and DVB-S2X signal generation, up-conversion and signal quality (Error Vector Magnitude and Modulation Error Ratio) analysis in the Ku & Ka-band using Rohde & Schwarz instruments.This paper is intended towards satellite equipment manufacturers, network operators, government & authorities, CE receiver chip set manufacturers, car manufacturer and automotive infotainment system manufactures.

08-Mar-2016 | AN-No. 1MA273

RF pulse measurements, to characterize the signal in the frequency domain, are traditionally carried out on an RF spectrum analyzer. For time related pulse parameters, oscilloscopes are widely used. However, the measurement capabilities of state of the art test and measurement equipment has evolved over time and crosses domains. With a combination of R&S®RTO digital oscilloscope and dedicated pulse analysis software R&S®VSE-K6, pulse signals can be analyzed in both domains, frequency and time.The R&S®RTO digital oscilloscopes are unique in that they allow output of I/Q data for processing. This application note focusses on signal measurement using this instrument.Analysis of an L-/S-band ATC RADAR utilizing the R&S®RTO2044 oscilloscope running Vector Signal Explorer Software R&S®VSE and Pulse Analysis personality R&S®VSE-K6 is followed by measurements on an X-band RADAR utilizing R&S®FSW, R&S®FPS, R&S®FSV or FSVA signal & spectrum analyzers with the same dedicated R&S®VSE-K6 software.

18-Oct-2016 | AN-No. 1MA249

Validating switching converter stability is vital for any power supply design. Frequency loop and load transient responses are often used to ensure switching converter stability. Even as frequency loop response becomes more important to design validation, load transient response is still commonly used. Load transient response can also be enhanced by visualizing the positive duty cycle for pulse width modulation (PWM) signals over time. A modern oscilloscope can do this, while also helping identify unknown converter effects.

09-May-2023

The R&S®VTC/VTE video testers analyze and evaluate the quality of set-top boxes and TVs on the DUT’s A/V interfaces from a user perspective. They provide the necessary quality tests from Go/NoGo tests to long-term stability tests. The RF input signals required for the DUT are generated by the R&S®VTC/VTE.

04-Feb-2014

This application note describes how to measure the coherence (phase-, timing and gain-differences) between two RFSignals using Rohde&Schwarz spectrum analyzers, a Rohde&Schwarz signal generator and the R&S FS-Z10 Coherence Unit.

28-Sep-2010 | AN-No. 1EF70

With options ZVR-B4 (mixer measurements), ZVR-B5 (nonlinear measurements) and ZVR-B7 (power calibration) installed, signal generators and power meters can be controlled from ZVR network analyzers via the IEC/IEEE bus. Customary signal generators and power meters are supported by the device firmware. This application note describes how user-specific configuration files can be generated for and adjusted to external equipment of these two categories.

19-Oct-1998 | AN-No. 1EZ46

The measurement of bit error rate (BER) is an important test procedure for determining the performance of a receiving terminal. This is especially important for set top box and chipset manufacturers who need to know if their product is able to meet the specification under a predefined noise condition. This Application Note describes the technique using an Rohde & Schwarz SFU to measure the BER of digital set top boxes.

19-Dec-2006 | AN-No. 7BM51

Power converters with a full-bridge topology are frequently used in telecommunications and servers that need to be compact, efficient and cost sensitive, making them more complex. Switching patterns for all the main primary switches including synchronous rectifier switches need to be validated after the first protype is built. This complex validation requires proper measurement of switching patterns to prevent catastrophic switching patterns. Expertise and the right measurement tools are essential when identifying unexpected events in the converter switching process.

17-Jan-2024

Most of today's electronic devices draw non‑sinusoidal current. This gives rise to harmonic currents injected back into the public supply system. These need to be checked on all devices with the CE marking.

12-Oct-2018

Vector Network Analyzers of t ZNA and ZNB family are able to measure magnitude and phase of complex S-parameters of a device under test (DUT) in the frequency domain. By means of the inverse Fourier transform the measurement results can be transformed to the time domain. Thus, the impulse or step response of the DUT is obtained, which gives an especially clear form of representation of its characteristics. For instance, faults in cables can thus be directly localized. Moreover, special time domain filters, so-called gates, are used to suppress unwanted signal components such as multireflections. The measured data "gated" in the time domain are then transformed back to the frequency domain and an Sparameter representation without the unwanted signal components is obtained as a function of frequency. As usual, other complex or scalar parameters such as impedance or attenuation can then be calculated and displayed.

30-Jul-2020 | AN-No. 1EP83

Primer

A power sensor is a fundamental measurement tool in RF engineering. However, today's marketplace is filled with myriad choices, and many are making bold claims about attributes such as measurement speed and readings per second. As a result, it can be difficult to cut through the hyperbole and determine which sensor will actually meet the requirements of a specific measurement.This primer outlines the basics of RF power sensors and highlights a few key characteristics that will help you select the best one for each application. The narrative has three parts. First, we focus on choosing the right type of sensor: multipath, wideband, average power and thermal can satisfy slightly different measurement needs. The second section covers the five major attributes of sensor performance, and what to look for relative to your requirements. Finally, we outline three ways to integrate a sensor into your measurement application.

26-May-2021

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

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

Most of the tests specified in standard TS 34.121 that 3GPP WCDMA user equipment (UE) has to fulfill can be performed solely by the Universal Radio Communication Tester CMU200 universal radio communication tester. Other tests, however, require additional instruments for generating one or more interfering signals, for fading setup or for high dynamic spectrum analysis. This application note shows how easy it is to perform these tests with the remote-control software CMUgo, using the CMU200 in combination with R&S signal generators and R&S spectrum analyzers.

09-Dec-2008 | AN-No. 1MA130

This application explains the setup and procedure to measure the exact time relationship between the CDMA RF signal and even-second clock. The accurate knowledge of this time relationship is e.g. necessary for test setups which require the synchronization of the R&S®CMU200’s CDMA2000 system with a GPS simulator.

09-Nov-2007 | AN-No. 1CM33

The IP connection security analysis solution for the R&S®CMW500 platform identifies IP connection vulnerabilities in telematics units at an early stage of development.

18-Jul-2017

Welcome to our short video tutorials on how to test radars using Rohde & Schwarz test equipment. Access to most information about radar is pretty restricted, as many radar applications are military or secretive industrial research. To show you some basic Radar tests we have created RADAR demo tools, which functions at a frequency of 2.45 GHz, which is in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical band. So we can even perform our tests in unshielded rooms. The frequencies are also used by radar operating in the ITU "S"-band from 2.3 to 2.5 GHz for air traffic control, weather and marine radar. The videos are suitable for 'from-the-scratch' introduction of R&S RADAR test equipment. They can also be used for plain introduction to the RADAR principle.

03-Feb-2014 | AN-No. 1MA209