High-precision two-quadrant power supplies generate current profiles and simulate batteries

10-Dec-2020

The R&S®RTO 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.

27-Jun-2018

This white paper introduces a novel attribute based architecture for VXIplug&play instrument drivers. The presented architecture uses the attribute based concept of IVI-C instrument drivers to introduce a two-layer design for VXIplug&play instrument drivers. Moreover the use of attributes is shown for the Rohde & Schwarz Spectrum Analyzer (rsspecan) instrument driver.

01-Dec-2012 | AN-No. 1MA170

Deembedding, often a necessary and complex task, is made easier with an integrated hardware and software solution.

25-Sep-2018

This application note provides a brief introduction into the capabilities of the Rohde & Schwarz Vector Signal Generators (VSG) to create user defined digitally modulated signals called Custom Digital Modulation (CDM). Additionally an in depth description of the functions and the operation of the CDM-Toolbox is provided. The CDM-Toolbox is application software which allows an easy remote configuration of CDM signals on Rohde & Schwarz VSGs but also the creation of data list and control list files which are most useful to further extend the application area of CDM signals.

24-Jul-2017 | AN-No. 1GP96

Rohde & Schwarz presents a customizable solution for testing GNSS receivers to ensure a certain resilience against (legal) interference from neighboring bands.

18-Jul-2017

More functions, greater processing power and growing data rates make high-speed system-on-chips (SoCs) power designs challenging. The increasing number of power rails that supply the various function blocks of modern CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, ASICs and such require precise sequencing during power-up and powerdown. Supply voltage levels are also lowered to reduce power dissipation inside the SoC. Power integrity requirements are stricter and more supply current is needed on power rails. Multiphase buck converters continue to grow more popular for high-current power rails. The converters have many benefits, but designers also face challenges when it comes to power design and validation testing.

13-Jan-2025

Sequencing of waveforms is a technique used to play back multiple test signals fast and flexibly using an arbitrary waveform generator (ARB). Multiple ARB waveforms can be combined to generate all kinds of test signals sequences. Switching from one waveform to the subsequent waveform in the sequence is instantaneous, which enables high-speed operation for production testing. This application note explains how to generate such signal sequences using vector signal generators from Rohde & Schwarz. The examples provided show the required instrument settings and possible fields of application for waveform sequencing.

29-Feb-2012 | AN-No. 1GP53

Capturing small ECG signals in medical applications The R&S®RTE is the best choice for analyzing small signals such as ECG signals with high signal fidelity. Capturing small ECG signals in medical applications Capturing small ECG signals in medical applications The R&S®RTE is the best choice for analyzing small signals such as ECG signals with high signal fidelity. Capturing small ECG signals in medical

17-Nov-2015

Software tool for fast and repeatable optimization of signal analyzer RF front-end settings

The signal conditioning in the RF front-end of signal analyzers is crucial to achieve the best performance with respect to image-suppression, noise-floor, dynamic range and other RF-key parameters.Precise signal levelling is especially important for complex measurements like Error-Vector-Magnitude (EVM). To minimize the measurement uncertainty from test system contributions over a wide range of different levels, the RF front-end needs to be adapted continuously according to the signal characteristics, signal power and frequency - ideally using an automatic levelling algorithm.This document describes the approach of a waveform specific, on-site characterization of the signal analyzer: For each waveform and frequency of interest, the instrument is evaluated in a first step. With this additional data, a fast and repeatable auto-levelling can be performed during the actual measurement.

24-Jan-2022 | AN-No. 1EF111

What used to be the car radio has evolved from adding a cassette player to state of the art entertainment on the move. All this while keeping driver & passengers connected. The design challenge is to bring all the communication and broadcast standards into a small form factor that fits in the dashboard of the car. The RF modules need to support multiple standards in a single assembly and multiple modules are placed next to each other. The frequencies defined by the RF standards are in very close proximity and hence need to co-exist with each other. Moreover, the antennas inside the car are subjected to cross-coupling effects with mobile devices of passengers. To ensure the RF performance of the infotainment system, all of these scenarios need to be thoroughly tested.This application note highlights some of the RF measurement challenges and introduces Rohde & Schwarz equipment required for relevant RF characterization of car infotainment devices.

08-May-2017 | AN-No. 1MA275

The OneWeb satellite constellation provides global broadband data access to almost every user. Via user terminals, the satellite connects the remote users to the ground station, which has access to the terrestrial broadband network. Receivers and RF equipment in the OneWeb ground stations and the user terminals need to handle high-speed microwave data links.

24-Apr-2018

As the data rates in high-speed digital designs increase, the limits for overall system jitter become tighter. This especially applies to the various components of the clock tree, where the jitter limits for reference clocks, clock buffers and jitter attenuators are even tighter. Due to their high phase noise sensitivity, phase noise analyzers are the instruments of choice for these tests.

08-May-2018

Soft-start verification is becoming a major concern for modern switching mode power supplies due to the increasing use of digital controllers. The R&S®RTM3000 and R&S®RTA4000 oscilloscopes offer pulse width modulation (PWM) track analysis functionality, which is a great feature for verifying and optimizing soft start during development.

09-Jul-2019

With continuously increasing data rates, signal inte grity aspects of high-speed digital designs and the components used become more and more challenging. Particularly at higher data rates, vector network analyzers (VNA) are increasingly replacing traditional time domain reflectometry (TDR) setups for testing passive components such as connectors, cables and PCBs. Users benefit from the higher accuracy, speed and ESD robustness of the VNA, making the VNA the instrument of choice in this field.

20-Sep-2016

Interferences on audio transmissions, which happens only from time to time, are very difficult to be measured. This application note describes a method, used by the audio analyzers UPL and UPD, to monitor test tones without any interruption and detecting even the shortest clicks.

04-Jun-1998 | AN-No. 1GA31

In order to allow users to quickly generate different reports, ELEKTRA provides several ways or supporting the user. This application note describes the various methods and their benefits. It is not a how-to step-by-step guide, but shows the principles of operation.

27-Jul-2022 | AN-No. 1SL384

Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) uses radar wavelengths for airborne or spaceborne ground mapping. The resolution of the SAR ground map depends on the range and cross-range SAR processing resolution. Cross-range resolution is determined by integrating pulses along a flight path for a period of time to create a synthetic aperture. Longer synthetic apertures result in finer cross-range resolution. Range resolution is achieved by radar waveform bandwidth in the form of a linear frequency modulated (LFM) chirp. Wider bandwidth enables finer range resolution.

16-Apr-2021

Comprehensive test solutions guide for production and R&D

Small cell is a compact base station with smaller form factor and lower transmission power in comparison to the conventional macro base station. It covers relatively small area and serves less users. Usually, small cell can be integrated into the existing mobile network. By the evolution of radio access technology, the role of small cell has been changing through the evolution path. In the 2G/3G time, its role was to provide coverage in corner cases. Later during LTE, networks are not just providing coverage but capacity too. Small cells were then used to provide the addition capacity where required without adding additional spectrum. Now in 5G era, network operators use densification as an important strategy to provide seamless 5G services which demand coverage, capacity and performance too. With use cases requiring the 5G millimeter wave (mmW) rollouts, it makes sense to use small cells for densification due to the propagation characteristics of mmW.In this application note, we will shed light on the testing aspects of a small cell throughout the product life cycle with particular focus on the production test solution for the small cell device under test (DUT) in FR2 (frequency range 2, mmW frequency band) in Over the Air (OTA) environment for option 6 split based on radio communication tester R&S®CMP200 and OTA chamber R&S®CMQ200. The document is complemented with more insights into test solutions used in typical R&D test applications towards the second half of the application note.

19-Jun-2023 | AN-No. 1SL395

The R&S®Scope Rider is a modern versatile handheld oscilloscope featuring lab oscilloscope performance in a portable format with the ruggedness of a battery operated handheld device. Its superior performance is the best in its class.

04-Jan-2016

The document gives an overview and user guide about a link budget calculator for the main components of a basic OTA system. The calculator shall guide the user to plan link budgets, especially with respect to SNR requirements for the receive components and the vector signal analyzer. An Excel sheet containing the Link Budget Calculator accompanies the application note.

19-Mar-2019 | AN-No. 1EF104

Thanks to their multichannel capability, oscilloscopes are ideal for multichannel applications such as the analysis of MIMO signals (e.g. 5G NR, WLAN), multi-antenna radar signals and differential high-speed digital signals (e.g. USB 3.x). These applications require the oscilloscope channels to be tightly aligned. This means the channel-to-channel residual skew has to be measured accurately so that it can be compensated. The channel-to-channel phase mismatch is reduced to a minimum, which plays a crucial role in achieving reliable measurement results.

06-May-2020

Communications and information sharing are key success factors for military operations. Ever increasing number of remotely operated systems, sensors and distributed systems. Coordinating and controlling all these moving parts requires wireless communications, but the electromagnetic spectrum is becoming more and more congested. Spectrum superiority ensures reliable communications when and where it is needed.

25-Oct-2024

Automotive Infotainment Testing

19-Feb-2018

This Application Note describes the basic operating principles of distance measurement equipment (DME) and tactical air navigation (TACAN) for distance and bearing measurements in aviation along with diverse test possibilities for maintenance of DME/TACAN ground stations.Some tests are performed on the ground (on the RF port of the DME or TACAN station or in the field via antenna) while others require flight inspection.The R&S®EDS300 DME/pulse analyzer is the specialist for flight inspection and simultaneous measurement of up to 10 different DME’s and can also be used for monitoring tasks on ground (e.g. far field monitoring of all DME’s of an airport).The R&S®EDST300 TACAN/DME analyzer focusses on commissioning and regular maintenance checking of TACAN and DME ground stations and battery operated field measurements in the immediate environment of the station.

28-Mar-2017 | AN-No. 1EF91

A radar system typically operates 24 hours with minimal downtime. Maintaining the operation of such a system requires fast identification of any defects in the system components. The R&S®ZNH handheld vector network analyzer helps field engineers quickly and reliably maintain radar systems to minimize downtimes.

22-Oct-2020

Crucial for proper operation of mobile networks - Part 2 of the series on Cable and Antenna verification

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 fundamental properties of antennas and the antenna cables.Measurement Techniques: Explore discontinuity or distance to fault measurements to identify reflections of forward RF energy due to impedance changes (connector, compression or kink of a cable, etc.).

18-Jun-2024 | AN-No. 8NT16

Testing multi carrier power amplifiers of the 3rd Generation requires test signals with a high dynamic range. This application note describes how a 4 carrier 3G WCDMA signal can be generated and measured with the application software SET_MC4. The software sets up to 4 SMIQ03HDs to generate the signal, and an FSU or FSQ to immediately evaluate and analyze the Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio (ACLR) of the power amplifier. The setups are controlled remotely.The SET_MC4 source code is also included. Modify the code to meet your individual requirements or adopt the IEEE-commands into your own setup script.

13-Dec-2002 | AN-No. 1MA62

The R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator with the R&S®SMW-K78 radar echo generation option tests L-/S-/X-/Ku-band radars up to 40 GHz RF frequency more flexibly than ever before. Since it allows the object range, radial velocity and radar cross section (RCS) of radar echo signals to be configured, it is ideal for radar development, maintenance and training.

08-Sep-2016

This application note describes how to remotely control the R&S SGMA RF sources SGT100A and SGS100A with a special focus on their high-speed remote control capabilities via LAN based FAST Socket or FAST PCI Express (PCIe) connections which allow round trip setting times of only 100μs.It therefore provides a brief introduction into the general remote control capabilities, explains the interaction of the different SW protocol layers and drivers, and in detail describes how to establish a high-speed remote control connection. Finally, a comparison of the measured setting time performance of the different remote control approaches is provided.

12-May-2016 | AN-No. 1GP107