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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.
1108 Results
Oscilloscopes are the workhorses for power electronics engineers. With powerful and easyto- use FFT analysis capabilities, their application fields extend to EMI debugging – and that saves a lot of time and money. A typical task is verifying the effectiveness of an EMI filter – early in the development phase.
23-Sep-2019
Spurious emission search with spectrum analyzers is one of the most demanding measurements in the design, verification and production of RF and microwave devices. RF designers, especially in the aerospace & defense industry need to detect very low level spurs. Very narrow resolution bandwidths are required to measure with a low noise floor, hence increasing measurement time. Even working with very fast spectrum analyzers, a spur search may take several hours or even days.In this paper we will review the basics of spurious measurements and how the parameters used can affect the detection performance. A new technique as used in the R&S®FSW-K50 spurious measurement application which makes spurious search faster and easier to configure.
14-Jul-2017 | AN-No. 1EF97
The audio performance measurement solution for the R&S®CMW500 platform identifies audio and speech performance issues over a wireless connection.
26-Aug-2017
Signal Generation and Analysis
This Application Note supplements the video series, describing signal generation and signal analysis for Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) for LTE and 5G NR. The video series is located below this paragraph.In this illustration, a four frame (40 subframes) long LTE sequence will be created, and exemplary MBSFN slots inserted, carrying 5G payloads. That signal sequence will be compiled and played by the SMW signal generator. The FSW signal analyzer LTE and 5G NR personalities are then used to analyze and verify the content of each subframe/slot.Three methods are presented, (1) Manual Entry using the GUI, (2) SCPI command sequence/remote control and (3) configuration file. The latter variants require the download of various files, available at the bottom.The configuration file approach offers the fastest time to initially setup. The SCPI command sequences provides some insight of the functionality and settings at each step, and the supplied MATLAB® script (only core license required) provides a prototype to illustrate the programming of successive slots or subframes. The Manual Entry approach, using the instrument's front panel GUI, provides a step-by-step set-up instruction, which can itself be augmented with SCPI recording, for easy modification and programming.MATLAB® is a registered trademark of The Mathworks, Inc.
30-Mar-2020 | AN-No. GFM337
R&S®Server-Based Testing helps reduce test times for workloads that can be parallelized. 5G New Radio (5G NR) multicarrier signals are an ideal workload because each component carrier can be analyzed independently and in parallel. In an example EVM measurement, scenario test times are reduced significantly even when receiving I/Q data from just a single instrument.
13-Sep-2021
This application note describes how to verify and validate a LTE (FDD) RF chipset using R&S® SMU200A vector signal generator, R&S® FSQ signal analyzer and R&S® EX-IQ Box. The related signal generation as well as signal analysis is described
19-Dec-2008 | AN-No. 1MA138
This application note describes the principle of harmonic mixing and the requirements to be met by spectrum analyzers and external mixers.
05-Mar-1999 | AN-No. 1EF43
Enhanced Mobile Broadband, Massive Machine Type Communication, Ultra-reliable and low latency communication have been identified as the requirements to be supported by the 5thGeneration of Mobile Communication, short 5G. 5G is extensively discussed in the wireless industry. A lot of research and pre-development is being conducted worldwide, including an analysis of the waveforms and access principles that are the basis for current LTE and LTE-Advanced networks.In this application note we discuss potential 5G waveform candidates, list their advantages and disadvantages and compare them to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), which is used in LTE/LTE-Advanced.
10-Jun-2016 | AN-No. 1MA271
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
High-speed serial interfaces often transmit data with differential signaling. For probing on the signal, trace differential probes are used. Besides the differential inputs, these probes often provide an additional connection for ground – especially the higher bandwidth models. The ground connection on the R&S®RT‑ZMxx modular multimode probes can be used to improve measurements on high-speed differential interfaces.
09-Nov-2017
DVB-T Bursted Noise is a tool for generation of DVB-T compatible noise signals. The IQ data can tranferred to WinIQSIM™ / WinIQSIM2™ for further processing and transmission to an AMU, AFQ, AMIQ, SMU, SMIQ.
08-Jul-2009 | AN-No. 1MA51
The effective number of bits (ENOB) is a way of quantifying the quality of an analog to digital conversion. A higher ENOB means that voltage levels recorded in an analog to digital conversion are more accurate. In an oscilloscope the ENOB is not just determined by the quality of the analog to digital converter but by the instrument as a whole. This application note explains how to measure the oscilloscope ENOB and shows results for the R&S®RTO for different settings.
13-May-2011 | AN-No. 1ER03
Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) is an integral part of LTE. Vector signal generators and signal & spectrum analyzers from Rohde & Schwarz support LTE measurements with up to 4 antennas. This Application Note covers 2x2 MIMO in the LTE downlink. Remote control programming is demonstrated by examples for a free-of-charge program.
09-Oct-2014 | AN-No. 1MA143
This White Paper describes the implementation of real-time capabilities within the R&S®FSW (with option K160R) and the R&S®FSVR. It shows fields of application as well as the technical implementation.
20-Mar-2015 | AN-No. 1EF77
The R&S®CMW wideband radio communication tester platform (R&S®CMW500, R&S®CMW270) uses high accuracy distance measurements (HADM) with phase based ranging (PBR) for a comprehensive and fully automated test solution to verify Bluetooth® Low Energy physical layer functionality
06-Sep-2023
To analyse the quality of tuners, lots of measurements have to be done. This application note presents a program, which combines these measurements to an automatically running sequence and gives a printout of the results. In addition, it explains the measurements and informs about the different standards.
16-Feb-1998 | AN-No. 1GA24
The Rohde & Schwarz CMU200 test set can be configured as a standalone Bluetooth test solution for production, R&D, service and QA use, and is the fastest signalling tester for Bluetooth test modes available. This document is intended as a guide to configuring the available measurements to achieve test scenarios very close to the relevant Bluetooth test specifications. BLUETOOTH is a trademark owned by its proprietor and used by Rohde & Schwarz under license.
06-Aug-2001 | AN-No. 1MA46
Vector Network Analyzers (VNA) are gaining popularity in the Signal Integrity community as time domain measurement and analysis tools. VNAs with 8 ports or more can provide significant decreases in test time by migrating from a 4-port measurement system to an 8-port measurement system. For tight tolerance DUTs that are barely within the test limit lines, small increases in accuracy can be realized by testing all of the test parameters at once, because the entire test setup is at the same temperature. This application note discusses the thermal advantages of testing an 8-port DUT with the R&S ZNBT VNA. The use of the ZNBT to assess and debug two differential pairs in a 20-inch backplane is presented.
18-Mar-2020 | AN-No. 1EZ83_0E
Impedance measurements with vector network analyzers require maximum precision. The R&S®ZNL is able to characterize a broad range of impedances with the lowest uncertainty among its competitors in the same class.
02-Oct-2019
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
Modern societies worldwide depend on the performance, reliability and security of critical infrastructures and networks. There is a plethora of “new verticals” such as manufacturing, warehouse, mining, ports or other critical infrastructure, just to name a few. These “new vertical” use cases all have one common requirement: the mobile network needs to provide a superior performance compared to a commercial mobile network. In such environments 5G brings new capabilities to build fast and secure campus or private networks tuned to higher performance, which can increase productivity and efficiency. To be successful in these business-critical use cases, the wireless networks need to be as reliable as the wired ones. This educational note describes the different test methods to be able to verify the superior network performance and to help finding root causes of potential problems limiting the performance. We distinguish between passive tests and active tests.
11-Aug-2023 | AN-No. 8NT09
For NB-IoT applications to function correctly, sufficient network coverage is required. Coverage must be measured to ensure a robust NB-IoT connection. Rohde & Schwarz mobile network testing provides a unique combined test solution that accurately measures the DL coverage using network scanners. It measures the device/network interaction, UL behavior, protocol, signaling load and energy efficiency during communications using NB-IoT devices connected to R&S®ROMES.
20-Feb-2018
This application note demonstrates the use of the Measurement Receiver to calibrate the signal output level of a Signal Generator.Calibration in this application is a two-step process.► The absolute output level of the signal source, at a fixed level, is measured using a thermal power sensor (e.g. NRP50T), which in turn outputs its reading to the FSMR.► Output power calibration over a wider dynamic range (to lower power) is performed by connecting the FSMR to the signal source directly, and sweeping the power of the signal source.The FSMR offers a nominal total measurement uncertainty of <0.015 dB +/- 0.005 dB per 10dB step. At 1GHz, the power measurement range covers -152 dBm to +30 dBm. It is this intrinsic linearity, that the accuracy of the calibration relies upon.Absolute power measurement uncertainty, for the NRP50T thermal power sensor used in this Application Note, is 0.040 dB to 0.143 dB.This process may be repeated at multiple frequencies. Calibration values are automatically stored and managed by the FSMR. Measurement frequencies for calibrations are stored, will be automatically recalled by the FSMR, by re-selection of those frequencies.
31-Dec-2021 | AN-No. 1SL377
GSM standard 11.10 prescribes a number of tests requiring measurements on mobile stations under multichannel conditions (fading). The combination of Radiocommunication Tester CRTP02 or CRTC02 and Signal Generator SMIQ allows cost-effective performance of the most important fading tests, in particular the tests according to sections 13.2, 14.2 and 14.3 of GSM 11.10. The aim of this application note is to familiarize the user with all the capabilities offered by the above combination of measuring instruments. The user should then be able to quickly generate and run his own fading tests using the IEC/IEEE-bus control commands described in this application note. To facilitate reading of the following, the testers CRTP02 and CRTC02 are referred to as CRTx.
07-Nov-1997 | AN-No. 1MA02
Receiver diversity improves reception quality by using multiple antennas with a preferably low correlation factor between each receive path. The result is a much more robust reception, since a deep fade will not affect all received signals at the same time.However, the complex geometry and positioning constraints for antennas of the receiving devices can introduce an unwanted correlation between channels. The popular diversity test setup consisting of several independent transmitters does not serve the needs of a realistic simulation, because radio channel correlation is not simulated.This application note explains a compact and versatile MIMO test solution for any common broadcast standard with real time fading including the simulation of channel correlation for a 1x4 MIMO system.The test setup allows very precisely specified individual multipath profiles.
11-Oct-2017 | AN-No. 1GP114
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
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
Noise figure is an important parameter that describes the noise contribution of an electronic device. A classical approach to measure the noise figure is to use a noise source which delivers two different input noise powers by switching between a “hot” and a “cold” state and a noise receiver (e.g. a spectrum analyzer).In contrast to this approach, using a vector network analyzer with the “Cold Source” approach eliminates the need for a noise source. A cold source noise power measurement followed by an available gain measurement of the device under test is sufficient to determine the noise figure of the device. This application note describes the “Cold Source” technique for measuring noise figure on the R&S®ZNA family of vector network analyzers.Background equations are provided for an analysis of noise factor, noise figure and noise temperature on a device under test and a cascade of devices.Based on a measurement example the user will be guided through the process of setting up a noise figure channel and performing a noise figure measurement. In addition, various measurement options are reviewed, providing guidance as to when and how each option should be utilized to improve the noise figure results.
23-Dec-2021 | AN-No. 1SL378
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
Nearly all analog NTSC broadcasting has ended in the US, Canada and South Korea. The digital switchover to ATSC in Mexico is expected to be completed by the end of 2016. ATSC receivers must fulfill the recommendations described in “ATSC Recommended Practice: Receiver Performance Guidelines” (document A/74:2010) before they can be sold freely in the markets that have adopted the standard. In addition, Recommendation ITU-R BT.2036-1 (07/2016), titled “Characteristics of a reference receiving system for frequency planning of digital terrestrial television systems”, includes the planning factors for an ATSC reception system, with a reference to ATSC Recommended Practice A/74:2010, because operation is in a more dynamic environment.
29-Sep-2016 | AN-No. 1GP111