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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.
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Rare faults and intermittent signals are difficult to capture. The R&S®RTO Oscilloscope supports the acquisition and the detailed signal analysis of these signals by using the history mode. The history mode allows the user to look back to previous acquisitions and apply the wide set of analysis functions of the RTO. Furthermore it stores the accurate recoding time of the waveforms for subsequent analysis.
03-Jun-2013 | AN-No. 1TD02
This application note describes how noise figure and gain of amplifiers or converters in the microwave range from 50 GHz to 67 GHz are measured. For this purpose the R&S FSU67 spectrum analyzer is equipped with application firmware R&S FS-K30 in combination with the Noisecom NC5115-60G, or NC5115-60GT Noise Figure Test Set.
12-May-2009 | AN-No. 1EF64
Especially with test receivers not comprising a built-in disk drive (ESHS10, ESVS10, ESVD, ESVB and ESPC) it is necessary to store instrument settings before a firmware update or before changing the battery of the static memory to be able to restore the settings later on. Frequently it is desirable to exchange settings or comprehensive data like transducer sets between receivers, or receivers have to be set up to suit different applications.
18-Jan-2002 | AN-No. 1EE20
Three hardware modifications of the option External Measurements ZVR-B25 enable the bidirectional network analyzers of the ZVR-family to carry out 4-port measurements. For the measurements, the four ports PORT 1, PORT 2, INPUT b1 and INPUT b2 at the front panel of the ZVR(E) are utilized. The fifth connector, ie OUTPUT a1, is not required for this purpose. As detailed below, the necessary modifications of the test set of the analyzer are described for the model ZVR. Of course, the modifications can be done in a similar way for the model ZVRE as well.
28-Jul-1998 | AN-No. 1EZ25
IEEE 802.16m is an amendment to the release IEEE 802.16-2009 standard. The goal set out in 802.16m is to develop an advanced air interface to meet the requirements for IMT-Advanced next generation networks while still supporting legacy 802.16 OFDMA system. This white paper will focus on some of the key features of 16m and provide comparisons to the 802.16-2009 OFDMA PHY (also referred to as 16e) with explanations of the motivations behind for the advanced features in 802.16m.
29-Jul-2010 | AN-No. 1MA167
The R&S MATLAB® Toolkit for R&S® NRP-Z Sensors provides routines for remote controlling these instruments via USB or the R&S® NRP Power Meter. This application note describes how to access the sensors using the R&S® VXI PnP driver. It also contains a set of scripts that perform commonly needed tasks, such as opening a sensor connection or performing measurements.
05-Mar-2011 | AN-No. 1GP61
The terrestrial television standard DVB T2 is gaining in significance as a result of the growing scarcity of available frequencies. New systems are being tested in many countries around the world. Other countries have already completed the introductory phase for DVB T2. Broadcasting transmitters are subject to particularly stringent standards with respect to broadcast signal quality, because even small faults can lead to service disruptions for many viewers or even disrupt adjacent channels.A single instrument, the R&S®ETL TV analyzer, performs all required DVB-T2 transmitter measurements, from the initial acceptance testing for the transmitter, to measurements performed during commissioning and preventive maintenance.The measurements described here satisfy many country-specific and customer-specific test specifications. Users need only set the limit values accordingly.
23-Jul-2014 | AN-No. 7BM106
Most of the tests specified in standard TS 34.121 for 3GPP Rel-99 can be performed with R&S®CMW500. This document provides a step by step guide on how to perform Rel-99 measurements on transmitter/receiver characteristics, and performance tests according to TS 34.121 V9.5.0 clauses 5 and 6 with standalone R&S®CMW500. A set of *.sav files based on R&SCMW500 firmware V2.1.20 for UE supporting band I with power class 3 in RMC 12.2 kbps downlink/uplink is attached to this application note.
16-Dec-2011 | AN-No. 1CM95
Over the past few years, electronics developers have developed a variety of approaches to avoid interference on high-speed signals on printed circuit boards. However, with increasing complexity and frequency, PCBs set new limits, supporting frequencies of 40 GHz and higher. Driven by the fast growing 5G market, today’s digital systems operate in these high frequency ranges that come with completely new challenges. With slope steepness’s of just a few picoseconds, any discontinuity in the impedance and impairment of the inductance or capacitance on the PCB or back drill defects on the PCB can have a massive impact on the signal quality. The industry recognizes that there is a growing need for functional high-speed testing of PCBs. The MicroCraft® E2V6151 series combined with an R&S®ZNB vector signal analyzer delivers a fully automated solution.
25-Mar-2020
ZVR is a vector network analyzer equipped with selective input channels for determining phase relations. Thus a wide dynamic range can be obtained. For measurements on frequency-converting DUTs (output frequency not identical to input frequency), the generator and receiver frequency ranges can be separately set. For measurements on DUTs using a built-in conversion oscillator, as is the case here, the conversion frequency must be exactly known so that the receiver can be accurately tuned to the respective output frequency. The maximum receiving bandwidth is 26.5 kHz. When a wide dynamic range is required, this bandwidth has to be reduced with the consequence that the requirement for the DUT output frequency and the ZVR receive frequency to be in agreement will be greater.
04-Aug-1998 | AN-No. 1EZ31
For automated test applications, measurement time is often as important as the quality of the measurement. As with many situations, time is money. In practice, phase noise measurements are generally not considered fast, but test engineers still desire to save as much test time as possible. The Rohde & Schwarz®FSWP (FSWP) is a modern, digital signal processing based, phase-noise test set that performs many tasks in parallel in an effort to improve measurements speed. However, several measurement settings drastically affect measurement speed. This paper will discuss these settings and provide suggestions on improving overall measurement speed.The three key instrument parameters that affect FSWP measurement speed are:1. Number of cross correlations2. Resolution bandwidth (RBW)3. Offset frequency span
08-Oct-2020 | AN-No. GFM354
Remote control of test and measurement equipment with a serial interface is limited to PC’s located in close proximity determined by the length of a typical serial cable connection (several feet). Usage of terminal server allows connecting through LAN or WAN networks thus controlling the instrument from further away even around the globe. The terminal server interfaces between TCP/IP protocol and the RS232 line. This application describes set-up of a popular terminal server from Black Box® Corporation to remotely and conveniently control the instruments EFA with EFA Scan software and DVRM or DVMD with Realtime Monitor / Stream Explorer software through a LAN or WAN network.
07-Jul-2003 | AN-No. 7BM41
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
Rohde & Schwarz instruments can be shared when users wish to use the same instrument. This can be done quite easily with the LAN interface, which comes as a standard option. Through this interface, Rohde & Schwarz instruments can be connected directly to a network, and users with access to the network can manually operate the instrument from a remote computer. This Application Note lists all instruments that support these features and describes the steps necessary to set up and configure the network connection to operate these instruments remotely.
05-Jul-2007 | AN-No. RAC-0703-0029
This application note describes how to set up 3GPP FDD and LTE multicell and multi-UE scenarios with the R&S®SMU200A with a focus on routing and leveling of the baseband signals. Furthermore, it describes in detail how to determine the correct AWGN settings, i.e. how to calculate the required signal-to-noise ratio for the various scenarios.
10-Aug-2011 | AN-No. 1GP80
This application note shows how to remote control the switching of RF and digital I/O signals by R&S®OSP Open Switch and Control Platform directly from a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) or from a Spectrum Analyzer (SA). The R&S®ZVA, R&S®ZVB, R&S®ZNB, R&S®FSW and R&S®FSV families are covered. The application note first describes the requirements and setup procedure. It is shown how to install the software and how to set up the system in order to get highest flexibility and best usability. It is then shown how to calibrate the entire configuration and finally some practical examples are provided. Switching is explained using VNAs as an example, the appendix 5.4 provides hints regarding the differences when using SAs in a similar way.
06-Dec-2013 | AN-No. 1MA226
In response to the growing number of WLAN modules that also support a cellular network (converged devices), CTIA published a plan with new tests in August 2006 that certifies Wi-Fi conformance. This Application Note first addresses the transmitter tests of the CTIA plan. For these tests Rohde&Schwarz offers preprogrammed instrument setups. They enable you to perform the measurements on the WLAN test set easily and quickly. Moreover, this Application Note shows how you can check the spectrum transmit mask defined for OFDM by means of only one keystroke on the Rohde&Schwarz spectrum analyzers.
11-Oct-2006 | AN-No. 1MA107
Most of the tests specified in standard TS 34.121 [1] for 3GPP Rel-5 can be performed with R&S®CMU200. This document provides a step by step guide on how to perform Rel-5 measurements on transmitter characteristics, receiver characteristics and performance tests according to TS 34.121 V8.7.0 clauses 5, 6 and 9 with standalone 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 with power class 3 in RMC 12.2 kbps + HSDPA is attached to this application note.
13-Oct-2009 | AN-No. 1CM72
MobiDemo is an application software for controlling a combination of Generator SMIQ and Analyzer FSE/ FSE-B7 or FSIQ. MobiDemo offers a convenient user interface to facilitate testing of components used in digital mobile radio systems, for instance amplifiers or filters. The software can handle the GSM, PHS, IRIDIUM, IS-95 and W-CDMA standards. The corresponding test signals can be activated on SMIQ with a few keystrokes and mouse clicks. FSE/FSIQ is set up in accordance with SMIQ and analyzes signals in the modulation analysis or adjacent-channel power measurement mode. The settings for SMIQ and FSE/FSIQ are transferred via the IEC/IEEE bus.
09-Jul-1999 | AN-No. 1MA11
Most of the tests specified in standard TS 34.121 for 3GPP Rel-99 can be performed with R&S®CMU200. This document provides a step by step guide on how to perform Rel-99 measurements on transmitter/receiver characteristics, and performance tests according to TS 34.121 V8.4.0 clauses 5, 6 and 7 with standalone R&S®CMU200. Test cases that require additional instuments e.g. fading simulator (R&S®SMU200A or R&S®AMU200A) or spectrum analyzer (R&S®FSQ) will be discussed in brief in this application note with recommended reference. A set of *.sav files based on R&SCMU200 firmware V5.02 for UE supporting band I with power class 3 in RMC 12.2 kbps downlink/uplink is attached to this application note.
15-Apr-2009 | AN-No. 1CM71
Multiple antenna systems, known as MIMO systems, form an essential part of today’s wireless communications standards. This multi-antenna technology efficiently boosts the data throughput without requiring additional bandwidth, and has thus become a key technology. Rohde & Schwarz offers high-performance MIMO test solutions which provide static conditions without fading as well as simulation of complex fading scenarios.This application note explains how to set up 4x4 and 8x8 MIMO systems using the R&S®SMBV100A signal generator for measurements under static conditions without fading.For simulation of complex fading scenarios please refer to application note 1GP97.
10-Mar-2010 | AN-No. 1GP50
The compact R&S®CMA180 Radio Test Set allows straighforward tests on devices that use analog or digital modulation and demodulation formats. This application note focusses on the use of the digital radio capabilities for measurements on radio transceiving devices in terms of their functionality and parameter characterization. Also shown is how to use the instrument with the various software tools available from Rohde & Schwarz for creating and evaluating digitally modulated signals. Various software examples are provided as free download along this paper. This application note addresses readers who develop, produce or optimize digital radio transmitting and receiving devices or maintain analog radio communication equipment alongside those with digital modulation.
10-Feb-2017 | AN-No. 1MA277
The terrestrial television standard DVB T2 is gaining in significance as a result of the growing scarcity of available frequencies. New systems are being tested in many countries around the world. Other countries have already completed the introductory phase for DVB T2. Broadcasting transmitters are subject to particularly stringent standards with respect to broadcast signal quality, because even small faults can lead to service disruptions for many viewers or even disrupt adjacent channels.A single instrument, the R&S®ETL TV analyzer, performs all required DVB-T2 transmitter measurements, from the initial acceptance testing for the transmitter, to measurements performed during commissioning and preventive maintenance.The measurements described here satisfy many country-specific and customer-specific test specifications. Users need only set the limit values accordingly.
24-Jul-2014 | AN-No. 7BM106
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
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
Generation of wideband digital modulated signals in V-band and above is a challenging task and typically requires a set of multiple instruments. This application note aims at simplifying the task and looks into the analysis part as well. Latest signal and spectrum analyzers like the R&S®FSW67 and R&S®FSW85 are first to allow use in V-band up to 67 GHz and E-band up to 85 GHz respectively without external frequency conversion. Up to 8.3 GHz of modulation bandwidth can be covered using the R&S®FSW-B8001 option. Millimeter wave use of analyzers ranging from 26 GHz up is shown. Application note 1MA217 describes V-band signal generation and analysis up to 500 MHz modulation bandwidth. This application note expands modulation bandwidth up to 2 GHz and covers both V- and E-band examples.
18-Jun-2015 | AN-No. 1MA257
Most of the HSDPA tests specified in the TS 34.121 for 3GPP Release-5 / -7 and -8 can be performed with an R&S®CMW500. This document provides a step-by-step guide on how to use a stand-alone R&S®CMW500 to perform HSDPA Tests (from Rel.5 up to Rel.8 / DC-HSDPA+) measurements on transmitter characteristics and receiver characteristics in line with TS 34.121 V9.5.0, clauses 5 and 6. A set of save files based on R&S®CMW500 firmware V3.0.10 for user equipment supporting Operating Band I with Power Class 4 is attached to this application note for easy recall of important settings while performing tests in line with the relevant specifications.
17-Aug-2012 | AN-No. 1CM96
Multiple antenna systems, known as MIMO systems, form an essential part of today’s wireless communications standards. The multi-antenna technology efficiently boosts the data throughput without requiring additional bandwidth or transmit power and has thus become a key technology. Rohde & Schwarz offers compact and versatile MIMO test solutions with realtime fading including simulation of channel correlations.This application note explains how to set up Rohde & Schwarz signal generators for 2x2, 4x2 and 2x4 MIMO tests with a focus on signal routing, synchronization of the generators, and leveling. Please note that there is a successor application note available: 1GP97. It explains how to use the R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator for testing higher order MIMO systems such as 3x3 and 4x4.
14-Oct-2009 | AN-No. 1GP51
With all these new flexibilities introduced with 5G, the radio access has become more complex to understand and analyze. More network interfaces and RAN configuration parameters have to be managed and the RAN and in particular the connection control, mobility and measurement reporting are decisive for the network performance. It will be vital for the system experts and radio engineers to gain knowledge and evolve their methods and tools to facilitate the work to optimize and troubleshoot 5G and 4G RAN performance. Thus, tools are needed that allow for easier understanding of the message flows in the radio protocols. The R&S®ROMES4 KPIs and Smart Events will help doing the work much easier and quicker. They are defined for a key set of LTE, EN-DC and NR RRC connection control and mobility procedures where the performance is crucial to achieve high quality network performance. Trouble shooting problematic cases and optimization of RAN protocols are key drivers to improve the mobile network performance with R&S®ROMES4.
28-Jun-2022 | AN-No. 8NT06
The high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI™) is used to transmit audio and video data. HDMI has become the standard for a variety of consumer electronic products, such as Blu-ray™ players, A/V receivers, set-top box, TV monitors and digital video/ still cameras. The HDMI interface measurements needed for these products require specialized T&M equipment. This equipment is not only needed for certification, but is also used for a variety of tests during development, for quality assurance and for end-of-line production testing. The R&S®VTC, R&S®VTE and R&S®VTS video testers from Rohde & Schwarz make it possible to test A/V interfaces such as HDMI easily, reliably and cost efficiently. This application note focuses on functional testing and debugging of HDMI interfaces using the R&S®VTC/VTE/VTS. It explains how these instruments can be used to assess the HDCP implementation, the ARC or the CEC functionality.
04-Jun-2014 | AN-No. 7BM85