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.
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.
752 Results
People screening at airports, borders, high-security facilities and in other environments requires a balance between security effectiveness and respect for the privacy of individuals being screened. The R&S®QPS quick personnel security scanners deliver high-performance threat and contraband detection designed specifically to protect personal privacy and minimize intrusive secondary screening measures.
15-Apr-2019
In digital wireless communication systems one or multiple users are assigned to a physical RF channel. With analog systems only one user per carrier is possible. Output spectrum of the transmitter has to be restricted to the assigned channel in order to avoid interference with the neighbor channels. With the switch over to digital modulation formats more user per channel are possible. They share one channel by using only part of the time for transmission (Time Division Multiplex Access, TDMA) or by coding the transmission by orthogonal sequences for distinction to other users (Code Division Multiples Access, CDMA). Beneath the restriction of modulation spectrum with TDMA systems also time behavior of the transmitted signal is critical. One reason is that in a multi-user situation only one user is allowed to transmit within his assigned time slots. Another reason is that by switching a carrier on and off spectrum of the transmitter splatters and causes additional interference in other RF channels.
17-Jan-2002 | AN-No. 1EF32
Welcome to this introductory video show about the R&S® ZVA family of network analyzers. Network analysis is sometimes considered to be cumbersome and difficult to understand, a very offputting reputation for newcomers to network analyzers. To help you look at network analyzers in a different light, we have created this video series. We have intentionally refrained from explaining any theory in depth. Rather, we want to show you how to operate our analyzers for simple and useful applications. As well as just watching this video show, you can also use it as a guide and try yourself. All the operational steps shown only require a standard RF power amplifier which should be available in almost every lab. So, before we get properly started, we hope you enjoy this video show and much success in becoming familiar with network analysis in general, and our R&S products in particular.
13-Feb-2014 | AN-No. 1MA50
The MHL standard specifies the transmission of high-definition audio and video data on five individual lines, as well as the exchange of bidirectional control information and the supply of power from the sink to the source. Over 200 million portable CE devices - such as mobile phones, tablet PCs and cameras - already use this interface to present content onto larger screens. To ensure functionality and interoperability, every new MHL-capable device must, before entering the market, undergo thorough tests at an authorized test center (ATC) in line with the compliance test specification (CTS) issued by the MHL Consortium. This application note provides an overview of the MHL technology and also describes the Rohde & Schwarz compliance test solution for the system part of the current MHL2.0 standard version.
14-May-2013 | AN-No. 7BM83
Even with the introduction of HSDPA and HSUPA, evolution of UMTS has not reached its end. To ensure the competitiveness of UMTS for the next 10 years and beyond, UMTS Long Term Evolution (LTE) is being specified in 3GPP release 8. LTE, which is also known as Evolved UTRA and Evolved UTRAN, provides new physical layer concepts and protocol architecture for UMTS. This application note introduces LTE technology and testing aspects.
14-Sep-2009 | AN-No. 1MA111
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
EN-DC Mode According to 3GPP 38.521-3
5G New Radio (NR) is a radio access technology (RAT) specified by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) in release 15 technical standard which was first published in 2018. It is designed to enhance the spectrum efficiency to meet the diverse needs of wireless communication applications, such as enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communications (mMTC) and ultra-reliable and low latency communications (URLLC).Two deployment modes are defined for 5G NR technology► non-standalone (NSA) mode involving both E-UTRA (access technology used for LTE) and 5G NR RAT► standalone (SA) mode allows the user equipment (UE) to access 5G core network (5GC) over LTE or 5G NR RATAll 5G NR air interface related core specifications as well as associated test specifications are included in the 3GPP 38 series specifications. In an UE product lifecycle, UE vendor is obliged to go through the device certification process by passing all the required conformance tests which include RF, protocol, performance tests before official launch of the product. RF conformance testing is of course essential for the market access. The conformity of 3GPP specification has to be ensured even in the early product R&D phase.This application note aims to guide the R&D reader through the 5G NR Frequency Range 1 (FR1) NSA RF UE conformance test according to 3GPP38.521-3 based on mobile radio tester R&S®CMX and associated web user interface R&S®CMsquares in interactive operation mode, i.e. manual operation mode, through test configuration examples. After reading this application note, the reader should be able to conduct 3GPP RF conformance tests with proper settings manually and understand measurement results in R&S®CMsquares.
25-Jun-2021 | AN-No. 1SL368
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
The R&S®FSW signal and spectrum analyzer is a high-performance instrument capable of measuring many key system and component parameters. Using the bit error rate (BER) functionality of the R&S®FSW-K70P option, the raw data error performance of a component or system can be accurately determined.
26-Sep-2018
The automotive industry is undergoing a transformative shift towards electrification. Precise measurement and analysis of electric drivetrains are vital to improved performance, efficiency and reliability. MXO oscilloscopes have become an essential test tool for these measurements, with real-time insight into voltage and current waveforms that let engineers and technicians explore the intricate mechanisms to improve drivetrain performance and efficiency.
12-Mar-2024
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
Today’s complex circuits must integrate several components that feed on different power levels. A robust circuit that ensures interoperability of these components needs carefully designed, clean and stable power distribution networks for power timing. At lower voltage levels, tolerance is defined in percentages and can make precise measurements challenging.
22-Apr-2024
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
DTV IP Inserter DIP1. Network for IP Insertion2. Insertion rate up to 10 Mbps3. Insertion rate higher than 10 Mbps4. Demonstration Scenario5. Demonstration Scenario End to End
30-Mar-2001 | AN-No. FTK01_0E
A step by step HOW TO guide to perform manual and automated wireless coexistence testing
At the end of the year 2020, there were over 20 Billion internet of things (IoT) products in the world operating using the licensed and unlicensed frequency bands. This growth trend is projected to keep steady over the coming years as more and more people adopt to a smarter and more connected lifestyle. This will result in a much busier and challenging RF environment than the one we have today. In order to understand the complexity of the RF spectrum, a white paper was published in 2021 from Rohde & Schwarz, which featured RF spectrum activity at multiple locations observed at different times of the day. The locations were selected based on population densities and the amount of known RF transmitters & their frequencies at those locations. It was also concluded that the ISM bands on average have higher channel utilization since most IoT devices take advantage of the unlicensed spectrum. The paper recommended, that while performing wireless coexistence testing, the test conditions should reflect the operational RF environment that the device is intended to operate in. Otherwise, the characterization of RF performance would only reflect ideal case which doesn’t exist in real world operation. Since it is not always possible to test all devices in the real world, relevant test methodologies need to be setup to replicate the real world as much as possible.This will help us get a better understanding of how the receiver of the RF device will behave under different RF conditions. It is also recommended to perform measurements in order to understand the behavior of the device in the future when the spectrum will get even more challenging. Therefore, a through characterization of the capability of the RF receiver to handle in-band and out-of-band interference signals in also of interest.In terms of regulatory compliance requirements for ensuring wireless coexistence performance, the ANSI C63.27 is currently the only published test standard that provides guidance on how to perform coexistence testing on devices. The test complexity is based up on risk imposed on the user’s health in the event of a failure caused by an or a plurality of interference signal. The standard also gives device manufacturers guidance regarding test setups, measurement environments, interference signal types and strategy, performance quality measurement parameters for physical layer using key performance indicator (KPI) and application layer parameters for end-to-end functional wireless performance (FWP).In this application note, the guidance provided by the ANSI C63.27-2021 version regarding test setup, measurement parameter and interference signal have been followed. It will give the reader a clear idea on how to configure standardized test instruments from R&S in order to generate the wanted signal as well as unintended interference signals and conduct measurement to monitor device performance in terms of PER, ping latency and data throughput.This application note provides step-by-step instruction on how to perform measurements using conducted and radiated methodology. Both manual and automated instrument configuration approach is explained in this document.The automation scripts are written using python scripting language and are available for download with this application note, free of charge. Official required to run the scripts are available on the PYPI database.
10-Nov-2022 | AN-No. 1SL392
This application note introduces the IVI High Speed LAN Instrument Protocol (HiSLIP) and outlines its features. HiSLIP is the successor to the VXI-11 LAN remote control protocol. This document also describes guidelines for using this protocol.
12-Nov-2014 | AN-No. 1MA208
Version 1.3.1 of the DVB-T2 standard ETSI 302 755 introduced the T2-Lite profile to ease the implementation of mobile TV services. This was achieved by minimizing the complexity of the required receiver and allowing side-by-side integration into existing conventional (T2-Base) DVB-T2 channels. For the purposes of testing the compatibility and performance of receiver modules, this application note describes how this type of composite T2-Base/T2-Lite RF signal can be simulated using one R&S®BTC or alternatively two instruments from the family of broadcast signal generators comprised of the R&S®SFU, R&S®SFE, R&S®SFE100 and R&S®SFC. Only one corresponding multiple profile T2-MI stream is required, either in the form of a file or via an external gateway.
03-Feb-2014 | AN-No. 7BM81
Digital pre-distortion (DPD) is a common method to linearize the output signal of a power amplifier (PA), which is being operated in its non-linear operating range.Most PAs operate in their non-linear range for efficiency reasons. The drawback of higher efficiency is the non-linear operating range. In order to maintain signal quality, many transmitters employ DPD. Implementing real-time DPD in a transmitter is a challenging task and often ends in PA models, which are specific to the signal transmitted.Even though these complex models are required for transmitter development, they are not needed during PA verification and development.This article describes an approach to generate a pre-distorted signal based on a hard-clipper. The resulting waveform pushes the output of the DUT as close to the hard-clipper as possible.Due to the waveform approach, the algorithm compensates all memory effects.
13-Sep-2017 | AN-No. 1EF99
The LTE technology as specified within 3GPP Release 8 was first commercially deployed by end 2009. Since then the number of commercial networks is strongly increasing around the globe. LTE has become the fastest developing mobile system technology. As other cellular technologies LTE is continuously worked on in terms of improvements. 3GPP groups added technology components into so called releases. Initial enhancements were included in 3GPP Release 9, followed by more significant improvements in 3GPP Release 10, also known as LTE-Advanced. Beyond Release 10 a number of different market terms have been used. However 3GPP reaffirmed that the naming for the technology family and its evolution continues to be covered by the term LTE-Advanced. I.e. LTE-Advanced remains the correct description for specifications defined from Release 10 onwards, including 3GPP Release 12. This white paper summarizes improvements specified in 3GPP Release 11.
09-Jul-2013 | AN-No. 1MA232
LTE-Advanced comprises multiple features enhancing the basic LTE technology firstly specified in 3GPP Release 8. LTE including the LTEAdvanced improvements was approved by ITU to comply with IMT-Advanced requirements and thus being a true 4G mobile communication system. The different technology components of LTE-Advanced have different market priorities and require different testing strategies. This application note summarizes the Rohde &Schwarz test solutions for LTE-Advanced (Release 10) using Vector Signal Generators, Signal and Spectrum Analyzers and the Wideband Radio Communication Tester.
03-Sep-2014 | AN-No. 1MA166
The need for an objective evaluation of mobile network quality and performance drives two fundamentally different approaches, crowdsourcing and mobile network testing. The crowdsourcing market is highly saturated. More than 20 companies have a significant focus on crowdsourcing mobile network measurements. To get measurement results, they use different concepts that serve different purposes. This application card describes the structure of the crowdsourcing space and analyzes the pros and cons of both approaches.
06-Oct-2022
The R&S®QPS product family provides high resolution security scanning and was specifically designed to promote faster, more effective and comfortable people screening at security checkpoints. Utilizing safe millimeterwave radio frequency technology, the R&S®QPS security scanners automatically and safely detect potentially dangerous person-borne threats and contraband.
24-Jan-2019
In this application note the fundamental working principles of active antennas are asserted and it is described what makes them different compared to passive antennas. Furthermore the important parameters relating to active antennas are explained and typical system applications are discussed - including a comparison with passive antenna solutions and a chapter explicitly dealing with radio monitoring in the HF frequency range.
03-Feb-2016 | AN-No. 8GE02
This application note provides a description of the Rohde & Schwarz Click Rate Analyzer software.In conjunction with the R&S®ESR EMI Test Receiver 4-channel operation is applicable. With R&S®ESU and R&S®ESCI EMI Test Receivers the Click Rate Analyzer software is limited to one channel. This software performs click rate analysis in accordance with CISPR 16-1-1 and CISPR 14-1 / EN 55014-1. It features realtime graphic display of the maximum peak and quasi-peak values. After the measurement, a test report can be displayed and printed.
15-Jan-2015 | AN-No. 1EE25
Today’s cars are highly integrated and interconnected. Up to 150 embedded electronic control units (ECUs) in a car secure a convenient and safe driving experience. Examples of ECUs include transmission control modules, ECUs for air conditioning systems, and even self-updating 5G-ready telematics control units.
06-Jul-2020
PAM-4 (4-level pulse amplitude modulation) has been introduced in high-speed serial data technology to reduce the bandwidth demands of ultra-high data rates. It uses only half the bandwidth per bit that would be required of conventional NRZ (non-return to zero) modulation. But at the same time, PAM-4 signaling complicates design and test at every turn. Evaluation of channels is now just as important to system development as serializer / deserializer (SerDes) testing and the challenges presented require a higher level of test and measurement performance than ever before. This paper investigates the evaluation complexities of PAM-4 interconnects at high data rates.
22-Oct-2020 | AN-No. GFM355
based on SCPI command sequences
MINX – the Measurement Instrument Network eXplorer – is a fast, non-invasive discovery and configuration software from Rohde & Schwarz for LAN and USB T&M instruments.Agnostic of instrument model or manufacturer, MINX provides an intuitive graphical user interface with access to powerful configuration, control, results collection and remote display functions.Test or research engineers can quickly setup a collection of instruments to initialise, measure and download results. Universities can configure and manage many instruments together, copying instruments and saving class setups.Besides these core functions, MINX provides an extension mechanism making even more sophisticated instrument operations available by just the click of a single button. Such extended functions are SCPI-based command sequences which can be added by the user on a per-instrument basis and require no software update.This application note describes the different kind of extendable function groups. It will be pointed out how extended functions can be added or edited and which format the script must comply in order to get directly available in MINX.
12-Jan-2021 | AN-No. GFM344
This Application Note describes measurements compliant with the cdma2000® base station standard described in 3GPP2 C.S0010 / TIA/EIA-97 / ARIB STD-T64-C.S0010.The primary focus is on solutions for generating and analyzing cdma2000® signals. The special characteristics that make the selected signal generators and signal analyzers eminently suitable for this purpose are detailed, and remote control programming is demonstrated by a free of charge program.
05-Sep-2003 | AN-No. 1MA61
The need to properly represent the ever changing complexities of the RF environment across communications, surveillance, electronic support measures (ESM) and signal intelligence system (SIGINT) with the advances of signal complexity and bandwidth, requires an enormous test and measurement effort.Extensive field tests are often applied to verify the performance and capabilities under preferably natural but controlled conditions. This is both costly and requires a great deal of time.RF signal environment generation using Test & Measurement equipment brings field tests into the laboratory, where a controlled, cost-effective and reproducible environment exists. The R&S®Pulse Sequencer software is a versatile tool to generate arbitrary and realistic RF signal scenarios ensuringsystem readiness for the real operational world.This application note introduces the R&S®Pulse Sequencer software, explains several examples that are applicable for research, development, before operational and during life-time test in detail, and guides you through the necessary steps, to generate a self-defined, arbitrary real life RF signal environment.
17-Jan-2017 | AN-No. 1MA288
Verification of the spectrum allocation and in depth analysis of the transmitted signals is very important in many domains. For example, the IEEE 802.11ad standard makes use of approximately 2 GHz bandwidth in the 60 GHz frequency domain. Researchers and developers of Automotive radar discuss the 79 GHz frequency band with an available bandwidth of up to 4 GHz. Finally the upcoming 5G technology for cellular networks discusses the use of up to 2GHz signals in the cm and mm-wave frequency bands.This technical evolution already indicates the need of signal measurement and analysis in the mm-wave domain with high bandwidth.Therefore, this application note presents a method to measure and analyze signals with an instantaneous bandwidth of up to 2 GHz using new tools on the R&S®FSW Signal and Spectrum Analyzer platform in collaboration with an R&S®RTO Digital Oscilloscope.
16-Jun-2015 | AN-No. 1EF92