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Learn how to configure Rohde & Schwarz products to fit your application. Search our database by product, technology, or application to find relevant technical documents.
Search Application Notes & Cards
Learn how to configure Rohde & Schwarz products to fit your application. Search our database by product, technology, or application to find relevant technical documents.
125 Results
Due to its outstanding performance the R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator is ideal for testing MIMO receivers in a vast variety of applications offering maximum usability at minimum form factor. It can generate up to eight antenna signals simultaneously in its digital baseband – all standard-compliant and with antenna-specific coding. In addition, it can simulate the complete MIMO transmission channel with up to 32 fading channels, sufficient to emulate higher-order MIMO configurations such as 3x3, 4x4, and 8x4.This application note explains how to use the SMW for testing higher order MIMO systems by presenting different key applications.
24-Feb-2016 | AN-No. 1GP97
This application note is step by step guide on 5G New Radio (5G NR) signal generation and analysis capabilities using the R&S®SMW200A Vector Signal Generator equipped with software option SMW-K144 (5G NR option), in combination with the R&S®FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer and the software options FSW-K144 & FSW-K145 (5G NR Downlink & Uplink Signal Analysis). The R&S®VSE Vector signal explorer has also been used for analysis purpose in parallel to the FSW-K144 & FSW-K145 software options.It is assumed that the reader already has a deep understanding of the 5G New Radio standard as well as the testing aspects. If not, then please refer to the 5G eBook more a detailed overview on the fundamentals, procedures, testing aspects of the 5G NR technology.
22-Nov-2019 | AN-No. GFM322
Offering bandwidths up to 160 MHz, the signal generators and analyzers from Rohde & Schwarz are ideal for testing IEEE 802.11ac signals
27-Jun-2013
3GPP TS36.141 defines conformance tests for EUTRA base stations (eNodeB). Release 14 (LTEAdvanced Pro) added several tests, such as those for enhanced Licensed Assisted Access (eLAA).This application note describes how all required performance tests (TS36.141 Chapter 8) can be performed quickly and easily by using vector signal generators from Rohde & Schwarz.Examples illustrate the manual operation. A free software program enables and demonstrates remote operation.The LTE base station transmitter (Tx) tests (TS36.141 Chapter 6) are described in Application Note 1MA154.The LTE base station receiver (Rx) tests (TS36.141 Chapter 7) are described in Application Note 1MA195.
11-May-2016 | AN-No. 1MA162
The vector signal generators and GNSS simulators R&S®SMW200A and R&S®SMBV100B are remote-controllable in realtime and can therefore be implemented into a dynamic HIL environment. The HIL simulator can dictate position coordinates, kinetic parameters, and vehicle attitude information based upon which the R&S® GNSS simulator updates the simulated receiver movement in realtime. This application note presents background information and details about operating a R&S® GNSS simulator in HIL applications.
14-Apr-2020 | AN-No. 1GP102
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
RF performance measurements for Wi-Fi 7.
30-May-2022
To simulate radar scenarios with frequency and level agility with high pulse density and long playtime, engineers can take advantage of the real-time sequencing capability of the R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator.
06-Jun-2017
Noise-Power-Ratio (NPR) measurements are a common procedure and a simple but useful tool to characterize the performance of power amplifiers for satellites or other multi-channel communication systems. The main advantage is the use of wideband signals like noise, multi-carrier CW tones or I/Q modulated signals, which leads to a better simulation of the real environment. This application note provides information how to generate these signals with a vector signal generator and perform NPR measurements with spectrum analyzers. With the R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator any desired test signal can be created. The R&S®FSW spectrum and signal analyzer offers an automated function for NPR measurements. The limiting factors of both a vector signal generator and a spectrum analyzer are explained. Measurement examples show the practical results of NPR measurements.
24-Jun-2019 | AN-No. 1EF108
Connecting simulation and measurements on physical devices
This application note is based on collaborative work between MathWorks® and Rohde & Schwarz. The focus is on linearization of a non-linear device, in our case the RF power amplifier. It is shown how simulation and the integrated functions of the Rohde & Schwarz instruments R&S®SMW200A and R&S®FSW work hand-in-hand with the simulation capabilities from MathWorks in MATLAB / Simulink. The goal is to provide a toolset to enable proper modeling and linearization approaches to optimize and verify the behavior of the power amplifier when used with complex wideband signals as used in 5G NR or latest satellite links.The application note brings code examples and an exemplary block set for MATLAB / Simulink to provide an easy start to replicate and use the described procedure.
05-Aug-2021 | AN-No. 1SL371
This application note briefly summarizes the history of SCPI and outlines in which fields of application a SCPI based test system software has still advantages over a driver (e.g. IVI) based approach. Further the unique features of the high-end R&SSMW 200A vector signal generator that allow an increase in efficiency of SCPI based test system software development are introduced and operating guidelines are provided.
18-Oct-2017 | AN-No. 1GP98
The SGMA products from Rohde & Schwarz are optimized for use in production and automated applications. Their key characteristics are high speed and a compact design. The instruments are also an ideal enhancement for the R&S®SMW200A in MIMO applications. They can interface to the high-end vector signal generator and serve as additional RF outputs. This application note explains how to connect and interface with the SGMA instruments and gives some recommendations and hints about their use. It helps the user to get started and to understand how the instruments interact.
15-Oct-2015 | AN-No. 1GP103
EW receiver mission data files can contain hundreds of emitters with thousands of modes and beams that must be tested by simulation at RF. Often, these emitters, their modes and beams are listed on intelligence databases and must be imported from a spreadsheet into to an emitter simulation application such as the R&S®Pulse Sequencer software. For this purpose, the R&S®Pulse Sequencer software offers an internal script editor which allows to import user data and automatically generate emitter, sequence or platform configurations that can then immediately be played into RF without any additional software. Furthermore, the R&S®Pulse Sequencer offers a SCPI recorder tool to collect manual entries during scenario data creation into a list of corresponding SCPI commands. This list of commands can easily be used to create user defined scripts that can either run in the internal script editor or an external software (e.g. Matlab, Python).
01-Jul-2021 | AN-No. 1GP131
conducted conformance testing according to TS 38.141-1, Rel. 16
3GPP defines the Radio Frequency (RF) conformance test methods and requirements for 5G NR Base Stations (BS) in the technical specifications TS 38.141. This application note describes how all mandatory RF performance tests (TS 38.141-1, chapter 8), according to Release 16, can be performed quickly and conveniently with signal generators from Rohde & Schwarz by either choosing manual operation or a remote control approach.In Addition, a new Python software library comes with this application note to enable the remote control approach of base station testing. This example requires the RsInstrument module which can be found on pypi.org or installed via 'pip' and is provided as is.
24-Oct-2019 | AN-No. GFM315
This application note belongs to a series of application notes which explains how to test EW receivers at RF in the lab with commercial, off-the-shelf signal generators and software. The series will cover all relevant use cases. This application note will discuss threat simulation and verification. Further application notes will address calibration and verification of multi-channel setups for simulation of angle of arrival, generation of radar signals in a hardware in the loop (HIL) environment with PDW Streaming, and automated threat creation and sequencing.
23-Mar-2021 | AN-No. 1GP123
The R&S®SMW200A signal generator together with the R&S®Pulse Sequencer software simplifies signal generation for multi-emitter environments.
24-Feb-2015
Test time is a critical parameter when it comes to evaluating the cost of test.This application note describes typical spectrum analyzer measurements in production environments and discusses different approaches to speed them up.
17-Nov-2014 | AN-No. 1EF90
This application note shows how to use Rohde & Schwarz signal generators and analyzers for testing early 5G New Radio components, chipsets and devices. Methods for easy creation and analysis of custom OFDM are explained. The solution provides● a single user interface for signal generation and analysis configuration● Flexible OFDM configuration and signal generation incl. flexible pilot and data allocation● User defined modulation schemes including complex scenarios, e.g. 5G NR PSS
23-Oct-2017 | AN-No. 1MA308
3GPP TS36.141 defines conformance tests for EUTRA base stations (eNodeB). Release 14 added several tests, especially for enhanced License Assisted Access (eLAA).This application note describes how all required receiver (Rx) tests (TS36.141 Chapter 7) can be performed quickly and easily by using vector signal generators from Rohde & Schwarz. A few tests additionally require spectrum analyzers from Rohde & Schwarz.Examples illustrate the manual operation. A free software program enables and demonstrates remote operation.The LTE base station transmitter (Tx) tests (TS36.141 Chapter 6) are described in Application Note 1MA154.The LTE base station performance (Px) tests (TS36.141 Chapter 8) are described in Application Note 1MA162.
11-May-2016 | AN-No. 1MA195
During wireless transmission over the air a signal is subject to fading. Since fading can strongly influence the communication, devices such as mobile phones must be tested under real-world conditions to verify their performance. The Rohde & Schwarz vector signal generators R&S®SMW200A, R&S®SMU200A and R&S®AMU200A make it possible to perform such tests. Their integrated real-time fading simulators reproduce well-defined and repeatable real-world test scenarios to bring reality into your laboratory. A multitude of standard-compliant, preconfigured fading scenarios make the configuration as easy as possible.This application note gives a brief introduction to fading and explains how to use the fading simulators in custom applications.
26-Apr-2013 | AN-No. 1GP99
Energy efficiency of RF Frontends (RFFE), especially transmitters, continues to gain greater prominence.Meeting the efficiency challenge is increasingly difficult at higher operating frequencies and bandwidths, such as those proposed for 5G.There is a group of transmitter RFFE architectures whose signal output is constructed from two, or more, efficiently generated components. This signal construction in effect, means that such architectures use predictive, post-correction linearization. Their predictive nature enables distortion to be completely eliminated.The capabilities of multi-channel signal synthesis setups with R&S®SMW200A, in combination with the R&S®FSW analyzer enable measurement, hence development, of these types of transmitters.The document focusses on devices for the 3.5 GHz NR (5G New Radio) candidate band, but its findings are equally applicable to developments and measurements for, for example, K-band satellite applications or mmW NR candidate bands, where efficiency is an even more crucial design target.
01-Aug-2017 | AN-No. 1MA289
LTE is under continuous development. Release 10 (LTE-Advanced) introduced carrier aggregation (CA) as the primary enhancement. Releases 11 and 12 add several new components to LTE. Some are enhancements to existing features (such as improvements to CA), while others are completely new concepts, such as coordinated multipoint (CoMP).This application note summarizes the Rohde & Schwarz test solutions for LTE-Advanced according to Releases 11 and 12 using vector signal generators, signal and spectrum analyzers and the wideband radio communication tester.
14-Jul-2016 | AN-No. 1MA272
conducted conformance testing according to TS 38.141-1, Rel. 15
3GPP defines the Radio Frequency (RF) conformance test methods and requirements for 5G NR Base Stations (BS) in the technical specifications TS 38.141. This application note describes how all mandatory RF receiver tests (TS 38.141-1, chapter 7), according to Release 15, can be performed quickly and conveniently with signal generators from Rohde & Schwarz by either choosing manual operation or a remote control approach. Moreover, one test case requires a signal or spectrum analyzer from Rohde & Schwarz which is highlighted seperately in the corresponding chapter.In Addition, a new Python software library comes with this application note to enable the remote control approach of base station testing. This example requires the RsInstrument module which can be found on pypi.org or installed via 'pip' and is provided as is.
02-Dec-2020 | AN-No. GFM314
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
Rohde & Schwarz signal generators present a compact easy-to-use solution for generating phase coherent signals. Different generator models can be coupled to optimally fit user requirements in terms of number of phase coherent channels and RF frequency range.This application note explains how to generate phase coherent signals, details what to consider and how to best calibrate the relative phases and timing between the individual channels. This document also presents various measurements of the phase stability over time for different RF frequencies.
07-Sep-2016 | AN-No. 1GP108
conducted conformance testing according to TS 38.141-1, Rel. 16
3GPP defines the Radio Frequency (RF) conformance test methods and requirements for 5G NR Base Stations (BS) in the technical specifications TS 38.141. This application note describes how all mandatory RF transmitter tests (TS 38.141-1, chapter 6), according to Release 16, can be performed quickly and conveniently with signal or spectrum analyzers from Rohde & Schwarz by either choosing manual operation or a remote control approach. Moreover, some test cases require additional signal generation equipment from Rohde & Schwarz.In Addition, a new Python software library comes with this application note to enable the remote control approach of base station testing. This example requires the RsInstrument module which can be found on pypi.org or installed via 'pip' and is provided as is.
27-Jan-2021 | AN-No. GFM313
This application note helps the user to configure a Rohde & Schwarz vector signal generator for LTE FDD repeater conformance testing. It explains step by step how to set up the baseband signal for the various test cases defined in the 3GPP Technical Specification 36.143.The R&S®SMx vector signal generators provide predefined, LTE-conform test models and are therefore ideal for LTE repeater conformance testing. The test cases in TS 36.143 can be set up with a single instrument which provides all necessary test signals including the four specified repeater stimulus signals.
26-Apr-2013 | AN-No. 1GP85
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
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