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.
190 Results
The 3GPP TS 36.521-1 “Radio transmission and reception” LTE User Equipment (UE) conformance specification defines the measurement procedures for LTE terminals with regard to their transmitting characteristics, receiving characteristics and performance requirements as part of the 3G Long Term Evolution (3G LTE) standard. This application note describes how to use the LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD) measurement functionality provided by the R&S®CMW500 wideband radio communication tester to perform LTE transmitter and receiver measurements according to this test specification.
17-May-2013 | AN-No. 1CM94
The present R&S®SMW-K506 Interface Control Document contains information on► the R&S descriptor word format, including ARB descriptor words and control descriptor words in deterministic and instant mode► Timing requirements and limitations of the interface► Properties of the network interface (Connector designation: HS DIGIQ).It is intended for use by customers using descriptor words to control the R&S®SMW200A in real-time. The interface control document specifies the interface between the customer’s hardware used for provision of descriptor words and the R&S®SMW200A HS DIGIQ interface. Additional information on descriptor word processing inside the R&S®SMW200A is provided.
17-Mar-2022 | AN-No. 1GP134
Correct and time-saving parameter configuration thanks to predefined DVB-T2 test configurations in the R&S®SFU broadcast test system
18-Apr-2013
separate uplink and downlink signals in the time domain.
09-Apr-2019
R&S®NESTOR cellular network analysis software supports law enforcement agencies in alibi verification by analyzing mobile network traces. R&S®NESTOR gives users reliable confirmation of whether an individual’s mobile phone was at a specific location at the time of a crime.
10-Apr-2024
During the design process of chipsets or modules, FPGA-based hardware emulators are utilized to perform early tests with real test and measurement instruments. These hardware emulators usually run at artificially reduced speed, but apart from that function like the finished design. In this application note we explain how to test FPGA-based hardware emulators using Rohde & Schwarz vector signal generators for creating suitable real-time test signals at reduced sample rates. We further explain how to correctly adapt AWGN signal generation and fading simulation for “slow I/Q”.
10-Dec-2012 | AN-No. 1GP95
This application note describes a software application that can be utilized in conjunction with Rohde&Schwarz Signal- and Spectrum Analyzers and Signal Source Analyzers to capture and analyze transient signals. The software application takes advantage of the instrument’s IQ memory buffer of up to 705 Msamples to capture and analyze IQ signals in the time domain and / or frequency domain. This is useful for measuring lock time, analyzing radar pulses, finding spurious transients, and other measurements similar in nature to these. This application can be used with R&S®Signal Source Analyzer FSUP and R&S®Signal and Spectrum Analyzers FSQ, FSU, FSG, FSV.
16-Feb-2009 | AN-No. 1MA141
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
Battery life time is usually one of the most important specifications for battery-powered devices. Depending on the application, life time requirements can range from tens of hours for typical wearables like smart watches to ten years for smart sensors. Understanding where and when energy is used in order to minimize power consumption is therefore key for any of these devices.The power consumption analysis tool was developed to make it easier for customers to analyze power consumption data collected with either the NGL, NGM or NGU power supplies from Rohde & Schwarz. It allows to easily capture power consumption data and analyze using basic measurements.
31-Jan-2022 | AN-No. 1SL380
The R&S®QPS millimeterwave security scanner delivers the most accurate measurement results in 1.5 to 2.5 s. The instantaneous scan requires only 64 ms, or five times faster than the blink of an eye, virtually eliminating the ambiguous readings that occur due to accidental movement with the longer scan time of other imaging technology.
22-Jan-2019
The 3GPP TS 36.521-1 “Radio transmission and reception” LTE User Equipment (UE) conformance specification defines the measurement procedures for LTE terminals with regard to their transmitting characteristics, receiving characteristics and performance requirements as part of the 3G Long Term Evolution (3G LTE) standard.This application note describes how to use the LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD) measurement functionality associated with the Downlink Carrier Aggregation feature of the R&S®CMW500 wideband radio communication tester to perform LTE R10 receiver measurements according to this test specification.
09-Apr-2015 | AN-No. 1CM103
The trigger is a key element of an oscilloscope. It captures specific signal events for detailed analysis and provides a stable view on repeating waveforms. Since its invention in the 1940s the oscilloscope trigger has experienced continuous enhancements. The fully digital trigger of the R&S®RTO digital oscilloscopes sets an innovation milestone that brings significant advantages for the oscilloscope user in terms of measurement accuracy, acquisition density, and functionality. This application note introduces the working principles of a conventional trigger system and explains the advantages of the real-time capable digital trigger of the RTO oscilloscopes.
11-Apr-2012 | AN-No. 1ER04
With advanced FFT capabilities and unparalleled sensitivity and dynamic range, the MXO oscilloscopes are the perfect choice for electromagnetic interference (EMI) debugging. Swiftly and accurately detect and analyze EMI emanating from electronic circuits and boards with time-correlated RF analysis. Elevate your debugging experience with the fast performance of the MXO oscilloscopes.
07-Feb-2024
This application note gives a short summary on the Allan variance as a measure of frequency stability and an example on how to calculate it, with measurement results from R&S spectrum analyzers. A software program to sample data from R&S spectrum analyzers and calculate the Allan variance is available.
11-Feb-2009 | AN-No. 1EF69
Deep memory in an oscilloscope ensures that long waveforms are captured with high resolution right down to the details thanks to a high sustained sample rate. Users can be confident that they are not ‘missing anything’. They benefit from viewing longer periods of time and quickly finding signal anomalies or important events.
21-Mar-2017
More frequency bands and larger dynamic ranges increase the number of test points required in characterization and production of the latest RF frontends (RFFE). Actively managing test time and cost while maintaining quality is more important than ever before.
08-Jun-2020
R&S®NESTOR cellular network analysis software supports law enforcement agencies (LEA) in forensics activities and crime scene investigations (CSI) by gathering information through analysis of surrounding mobile networks. R&S®NESTOR increases public safety by reducing crime scene investigation time by up to 50 %.
14-Mar-2024
In this day and age of internet of things, more and more devices are connected to the local network, making it even more difficult for the IT department to monitor them. Rohde & Schwarz instruments are also increasingly accessed via their LAN interface, which provides additional convenience features such as remote desktop, SMB file transfer or a web interface. To make it easier to monitor the use and status of instruments, some devices offer a software option, the Health and Utilization Monitoring Service (HUMS).HUMS can be accessed via SNMP and REST (HTTP) and provides all necessary information about the health status and utilization over time in many details.This application note describes how to access HUMS and what data is provided.
11-Jan-2021 | AN-No. GFM336
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
Increasing demands on power distribution networks have resulted in smaller DC rails, as well as a proliferation of rails that ensure clean power reaches the pins of integrated circuits.
07-Mar-2017
The R&S®FSW signal and spectrum analyzer provides the high dynamic range needed to accurately measure the ON/OFF power of your transmitter in accordance with 3GPP TS 36.141.
17-Jan-2017
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
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
Embedded power supplies combine traditional power supply components with multiple sensors, processing and control logic as well as digital communications interfaces. Test equipment for debugging requires isolated input channels for measurements of hazardous voltages. Additional digital channels support the analysis of digital signals, while trigger and decode capabilities are essential for time-correlated monitoring of serial protocol-based communications interfaces.
26-Apr-2016
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
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
Short measurement time in conjunction with high accuracy and repeatability of results are essential for efficient testing of mobile phone power amplifiers. Power Meter R&S®NRP, Signal Generator R&S®SMIQ, Spectrum Analyzers R&S®FSP/FSU/FSQ and Power Supply R&S®NGMO2 offer optimum characteristics such as high accuracy, fast settling speed and short measurement time in programmed mode. This application note concentrates on testing GSM/EDGE mobile power amplifiers and shows typical test setups and programming examples for Signal Generator R&S®SMIQ and Spectrum Analyzer R&S®FSP/FSU/FSQ, benchmark numbers and repeatability results.
29-Apr-2004 | AN-No. 1MA66
The GSM mobile phone system is the first civil radio network using purely digital transmission methods. In addition to the modulation mode GMSK (Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying) itself, both a time and a frequency multiplex method are used. This means for instance that the bits to be transmitted are distributed to several socalled bursts (time multiplex). These bursts are then in turn transmitted at different frequencies in the frequency hopping mode. Due to the frequency hopping mode, the timing used in GSM/PCN networks and the low phase error required for correct data transmission, stringent requirements regarding the frequency transient response are placed on the synthesizers used in the base and mobile stations. For a frequency error of <100 Hz the transient response must be within approx. 100 us to keep the residual phase error caused by the synthesizer sufficiently small. The Modulation Analyzer FMA/FMB with its high-precision AM and FM demodulators featuring DC coupling capability is particularly suitable for an uncomplicated measurement of transient responses in conjunction with an oscilloscope. Both the FMA with its low residual FM in the GSM band from 890 to 960 MHz and the FMB, which in addition also covers the PCN band from 1710 to 1880 MHz, provide in conjunction with the fast transient response of the FM demodulator the characteristics required. Highest precision regarding the transient response is provided by the FMA/FMB's special function 'IF 300 kHz'.
03-Jun-1998 | AN-No. 1EF08
Analyzing RF pulses is a key aspect of pulsed radar applications, e.g. in air traffic control (ATC), maritime radar or scientific measurements of the ionosphere. It is essential to analyze the pulse envelope in the time domain because it contains important information needed to characterize the application. The R&S®RTO digital oscilloscope is a very useful measurement instrument for analyzing pulse characteristics.
09-Nov-2017
Validating switching converter stability is vital for any power supply design. Frequency loop and load transient responses are often used to ensure switching converter stability. Even as frequency loop response becomes more important to design validation, load transient response is still commonly used. Load transient response can also be enhanced by visualizing the positive duty cycle for pulse width modulation (PWM) signals over time. A modern oscilloscope can do this, while also helping identify unknown converter effects.
09-May-2023