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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.
133 Results
Nearly all tests in accordance with the test specification* can be performed with the R&S® CMU200/CBT alone. Some tests additionally call for signal generators to provide interference signals and also require spectrum analyzers. This application note describes the tests performed with additional equipment and presents straightforward solutions based on the CBTgo software.
06-Mar-2013 | AN-No. 1MA106
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.The R&S K18D application family offers a very easy-to-use method to pre-distort amplifiers without modelling the DUT.However, many engineers in PA design request a simple and easy-to-use tool that delivers a DPD model applicable to any real-world signal.This application note with the accompanying software tool allows engineers without in-depth knowledge of DPD or remote programming to generate a DPD model and verify it against the DUT, based on the results of the K18D application.
25-Mar-2019 | AN-No. 1EF105
How I/Q noise cancellation can help significantly improve the EVM performance of your signal and spectrum analyzer.
16-Nov-2023
Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar signals are often used in short range surveillance, altimeters and automotive radars. To ensure proper functionality, signal quality measures such as frequency linearity are of great importance.This application note focuses on fully automated, fast and accurate measurements, of linear FMCW radar signals. It explains the basic signal processing, the impact on radar key performance indicators in case of linearity deviations and explains test and measurement of linear FMCW signals in detail.Measurement of an FMCW radar signal in the 77-81 GHz band with 500 MHz of measurement bandwidth is demonstrated.
25-Apr-2014 | AN-No. 1EF88
The scope of the subject “radar” has expanded in the recent years in terms of its technical evolution and spreading of applications. This application note along with its corresponding white paper 1MA207 show how to use the R&S radar product portfolio to tackle test and measurement tasks in modern radar technology. Target groups are students who want to become familiar with radar issues as well as radar professionals who want to solve certain test and measurement tasks.
10-Aug-2012 | AN-No. 1MA127
For several years, automobile makers and government agencies have sought ways to improve safety on roadways and effectively manage traffic flow. As wireless communication systems are advancing, the vision of automobiles talking to each other and to roadside units is becoming a reality. These planned automotive wireless communication systems are known as ITS (Intelligent Transportation System). This paper will provide an overview of the current status of the ITS worldwide with a focus on the IEEE 802.11p PHY. Additionally, the paper provides information on test and measurement solutions for devices and components used in ITS.
23-Jan-2014 | AN-No. 1MA152
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
Verification of baseband data is an important step in the early development phase of LTE/LTE-A-ready products. Comparison values for baseband data (test vectors) from other sources can be very useful in order to verify the correct implementation of the standard. Option K81 for the R&S®SMx200A vector signal generator offers sample data for LTE at the bit level. The reference data enables users to test their own implementation of the specification. The LTE bit stream verification program shown here uses data generated by this option and offers a (bitwise) comparison with bit streams generated for an LTE downlink signal. Therefore it demonstrates, how easy the option R&S SMx-K81 can be integrated into the simulation and design process during the development of LTE/LTE-A handsets or base stations.
02-Feb-2011 | AN-No. 1MA161
Over-the-air (OTA) beamforming testing
04-May-2018
This document provides an introduction to SDR as used for military radios and presents the relevant T&M solutions offered by Rohde & Schwarz.
15-Sep-2012 | AN-No. 1MA206
Miloslav Macko 1MA196 1MA196, Forum, Instrument, Remote, Control, Python, R&S Forum, RS Forum, R&SForum, RSForum R&S®Forum for Instrument Remote Control Using R&S®Forum Application for Instrument Remote Control Miloslav Macko 1MA196 1MA196, Forum, Instrument, Remote, Control, Python, R&S Forum, RS Forum, R&SForum, RSForum R&S®Forum for Instrument Remote Control Related products
28-Jun-2018 | AN-No. 1MA196
FMCW radar sensors are used in vehicles for adaptive cruise control and for blind-spot, lane-change and cross traffic assistants. Radar sensors for acquisition of the surroundings are key components for future vehicles with semi-autonomous and fully autonomous driving. Autonomous driving requires radars that reliably detect objects in the surrounding area. Radar makes it possible to quickly and precisely measure the radial velocity, range and azimuth and elevation angle of multiple objects. For this reason, the automobile industry is increasingly using this technology in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Rohde & Schwarz offers T&M solutions for generating, measuring and analyzing radar signals and components to ensure trouble free operation of these sensors. The high-performance oscilloscope R&S® RTP with four measurement channels is the perfect solution for multi-channel measurements on MIMO radar sensors and correlation with other signals e.g. power rails, whereas a spectrum analyzer such as the R&S® FSW85 offers highest dynamic up to 85 GHz.This application note focuses on how to measure and analyze FMCW radar signals with up to 6 GHz bandwidth with an R&S® RTP oscilloscope. On-board analysis features for pulse and chirp analysis for single- and multi-channel measurements will be addressed as well as the combination of oscilloscope and R&S® VSE software. Measurement of an FMCW radar signal in the 77 - 81GHz band with 4 GHz bandwidth is demonstrated.
07-Aug-2019 | AN-No. GFM318
The use of Rohde & Schwarz device drivers under VEE software is not complicated. However, a number of factors are involved, the errors that occur are often difficult to diagnose. This application provides easy and detailed support for installation and troubleshooting using National Instruments or Agilent GPIB boards.
20-Dec-2012 | AN-No. 1MA035
This application note is based on collaborative work between Cadence and Rohde & Schwarz.The focus is on understanding as early as possible in the design process performance enhancements through linearization of non-linear devices, in our case the RF power amplifier (PA). In other words, what performance benefits can be reached with linearization techniques such as digital predistortion (DPD). Typically, this is investigated when the device is available and physical RF measurements are conducted. In this application note, it is looked at earlier in the design process while using electronic design automation (EDA) such as Cadence® AWR® Visual System Simulator™ (VSS) software. The goal is to allow an RF designer to evaluate the linearizability of his design without in-depth knowledge of DPD algorithms. In the end, the designer can get closer to the optimal efficiency with earlier access to DPD, while at the same time improving time-to-market.The application note brings code examples and an exemplary setup for VSS software to provide an easy start to replicate and use the described procedure.
20-Apr-2022 | AN-No. 1SL383
This document provides some technical background and guidance on how to optimize the measurement of one of the key performance parameters of WLAN transmitters - the Error Vector Magnitude (EVM).
IEEE 802.11be Extremely High Throughput (EHT), also known as Wi-Fi 7, is the latest amendment of the IEEE 802.11 standard and is still under development. This amendment focuses mainly on improved throughput. To do so, the most notable changes currently implemented are:► New modulation scheme: 4096-QAM (4K-QAM)► Larger bandwidth: 320 MHz► Support for 16x16 MU-MIMO► Enhanced resource allocation in OFDMAThis places special demands on the measurement equipment.
06-Sep-2022 | AN-No. 1EF114
An ever-increasing requirement for data on mobile networks, driven by a myriad of applications from HD video on the move to autonomous vehicles and Industrial IOT, means a part of the new 5G network is to be deployed at mmWave frequencies, with a 26 GHz pioneer band defined for the UK between 24.25 - 27.5 GHz.This near 10-fold increase in frequency over 4G networks opens several challenges, both in the design and implementation of the required sub-components, network infrastructure and end user equipment, and in parallel in the test and measurement approaches used to drive these developments.In this presentation, we will introduce some of the main challenges in test and measurement of a device at these frequencies. We will then present the testing of a 26-28GHz pioneer band dual channel amplifier evaluation module using 5G NR test waveforms.
26-Nov-2018
R&S®VISA is a standardized software library that allows fast communications over diverse interfaces with a wide variety of T&M instruments that are detected on the network from PC applications. R&S®VISA also includes a trace tool that simultaneously monitors communications between multiple applications and T&M instruments, and permits targeted analysis with the aid of efficient filters.
26-May-2020 | AN-No. 1DC02
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
Versatile Software Tool for Rohde & Schwarz Instruments
RSCommander is a versatile software tool for a wide range of Rohde & Schwarz spectrum-, network analyzers, signal generators and oscilloscopes. It allows for automatic instrument discovery, making screenshots, reading traces, file transfer and simple script creation.
24-Dec-2017 | AN-No. 1MA074
Speed up development, verify best performance and start up series production with confidence. Doherty designs achieve high efficiency, greater linearity and increased output power. Get deep insight into your design with a dual-path, precisely synchronized source driving the Doherty amplifier and improve your yield.
12-Jul-2018
The R&S®SMW-K546 software option aids the optimum design of multiple path amplifiers, including Doherty Amplifiers.This application note provides guidance on the use of the software option, both for direct control and programming via the touchscreen, and for remote control using SCPI.The software and associated techniques may similarly be used to develop other quasi-linear, multi-path amplifiers; including Balanced, Anti-Phase (so-called Push-Pull), Distributed, Spatially Combined, Load Modulated Balanced and many more.
13-Jul-2020 | AN-No. GFM345
Radar test systems are essential in research, development, production and maintenance of radar systems. Most radar tests are expensive to carry out in the field and have a complicated setup and operation. One of the main advantages of the Radar Echo Generator presented in this application note is its ability to generate arbitrary virtual radar echo signals in real time in the laboratory using only commercial measuring equipment. The Radar Echo Generator not only allows to reproduce the results and automate the tests, but also it significantly reduces the measurement effort and costs while providing greater utility for the existing common test equipment. This application note presents a solution for testing the complete radar system by generating any kind of radar echo signals with arbitrary range, Doppler frequency and Radar Cross Section. The Radar Echo Generator makes it possible to perform real time tests on many applications including aerospace & defense and commercial radar systems.
01-Aug-2016 | AN-No. 1MA283
Active, high-impedance probes can be connected to spectrum analyzers, providing a practical and highly precise measurement solution to overcome an otherwise cumbersome RF testing issue. This application note provides information on how to use oscilloscope probes in RF measurements using spectrum analyzers.
04-Jul-2023 | AN-No. 1EF116
Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology is an integral part of 3GPP E-UTRA long term evolution (LTE). As part of MIMO, beamforming is also used in LTE. This application note provides a brief summary of the transmission modes (TM) in LTE and describes the beamforming measurements for base stations (BS) and user equipment (UE). The T&M options using various Rohde & Schwarz instruments are also presented.
26-Apr-2013 | AN-No. 1MA187
Distortions caused by components in the RFFE (radio frequency front end) limit the performance and throughput of communications systems. Types of distortions include:▪ AM-AM and AM-PM (complex variations of gain with amplitude)▪ Non-linear frequency response (memory effect)All RFFE components exhibit all of these distortions, only the proportions vary. In this Application Note, illustrative measurements of individual RFFE components, as well as a complete RFFE, will be made. This is followed by the documentation of a more complete analysis, including comparison against theoretical limits, of a linearized commercial SatCom BUC product.
27-Feb-2017 | AN-No. 1MA299
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 Doherty Amplifier continues to be rolled out in an increasing number of TxFE (Transmit Frontend) applications, as the quasi-linear amplifier architecture of choice.The advent of 5G, with its inevitable microwave or millimeter wave air interface, increase the design challenges associated with its construction; not least of all because of the potential for increased dispersion in the constituent amplifiers and combiners.This application note describes a measurement-based development methodology by which the Doherty Amplifier may be enhanced, increasing performance and/or performance bandwidth. This methodology is supported with a working example.The methodology may also be extended to balanced, spatially combined and anti-phase (so called "pushpull" or "differential") amplifiers, the latter often itself nested in Doherty configurations.The R&S®Quickstep sequencing software may be downloaded from:
26-Sep-2016 | AN-No. 1MA279
Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) is a pillar of 6G. Combining two different yet similar worlds – communications and environmental sensing – brings the future to life in the 6G era. The key ISAC drivers are beamforming with MIMO arrays, artificial intelligence (AI), modern modulation schemes and dense network infrastructure. The R&S®AREG800A automotive radar echo generator is a core element of a versatile research and development test solution in the ISAC community.
11-Mar-2024
Automated Solution with High Efficiency
5G New Radio (NR) presents dramatic challenges to the testing of User Equipment (UE) Power Amplifier (PA). Multiple frequency bands, flexible 5G operation mode, multiple PA performance metrics and the MIPI control interface increases the potential PA testing workload significantly. Manually repeating these tests under so many different scenarios can be costly and time consuming. An automated testing solution can help the test engineer to highly improve the testing efficiency.In this application note, it introduces an example of automated testing of 5G UE PA with R&S signal generator, signal and spectrum analyzer, vector signal explorer software, power meter along with power supply.The entire application note is organized with following structure:Chapter 2 outlines the challenges to 5G UE PA testing.Chapter 3 introduces the setup for 5G signal generation and analysis. For 5G signal generation, a batch program of converting *.CSV files with IQ vectors to ARB waveform files is introduced. For 5G signal analysis, the R&S®VSE software is recommended, which enables the separation of RF signal collection and measurement to improve testing efficiency.Chapter 4 provides the informative content about the integration of MIPI control interface for the PA ON/OFF state switching and register configuration.Chapter 5 gives a guide on the implementation of a quick power servo, in which the techniques to speed up the PA power level adjustment are discussed.Chapter 6 summarizes the automated testing procedure.
09-Aug-2021 | AN-No. 1SL365
3GPP TS25.141 defines conformance tests for W-CDMA base stations (including HSPA+ features). This application note describes how transmitter (Tx) tests (TS25.141 Chapter 6) can be performed quickly and easily by using signal and spectrum analyzers from Rohde & Schwarz. A few tests additionally require vector signal generators from Rohde & Schwarz. Example illustrates manual operation. A free software program enables and demonstrates remote operation. The W-CDMA base station receiver (Rx) tests (TS25.141 Chapter 7) are described in Application Note 1MA114.
21-Oct-2014 | AN-No. 1MA67