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.
273 Results
RMS is one of the most common parameters in test and measurement. Mathematically, it is the quadratic mean of continuously varying values (waveform). Especially when quantifying power, RMS simplifies the calculation as the polarity of the voltage and direction of the current can be disregarded.
17-Aug-2015
Measurements of very high noise figure components are performed for a number of reasons. For instance, in a wide range of applications, devices under test (DUT) are characterized within a complex test setup that includes high losses before or after the low noise DUT. In case of high frequencies, the switch matrix with complex signal routing and cables might have a very high loss. In other cases, the device might be embedded in a test setup where direct access is physically impossible, on-wafer probing is one example for this case. Using conventional measurement equipment, the noise figure measurement of such a device is very unstable if not impossible at all.
24-Jun-2020 | AN-No. 1EF110
The simulation of impulsive noise for tests on set-top boxes for digital TV (DTV) has so far been a highly complex task regarding the reproducibility of test signals. Using state-of-the-art technology from Rohde & Schwarz, this task can be accomplished with a simple test setup
07-Jul-2003 | AN-No. 7BM45
The duration of a measurement in multi evaluation list mode is sensitive to the test setup. This document describes various methods to achieve optimized performance for such measurements. The availability of the methods depends on the CMW500 version.
17-Jul-2012 | AN-No. 1CM100
The R&S®ZNB vector network analyzer together with the R&S®HF907 double-ridged waveguide horn antenna provides fast and accurate TD SVSWR measurements in line with ANSI C63.25.
06-Aug-2018
Unique automatic level controlled (ALC) based test setup using the R&S®ZVA vector network analyzer and R&S®BBA150 broadband amplifiers provides highly accurate and reproducible results in minimum test time.
27-Sep-2013
There are proposals for broadband measurements on hearing aids, for example the proposed standard ANSI S3.42. Such measurements are intended to simulate more accurately the behaviour of hearing aids under normal hearing conditions also in the presence of ambient noise. Audio Analyzer UPD fitted with High-Speed Option UPD-B3 makes it possible already now to generate the proposed test signal and to perform all the related measurements including coherence and transfer functions. These measurements may become more and more important in the future but have scarcely been performed up to now as they require highly complex test equipment. Audio Analyzer UPD enables the user to measure to tomorrow’s standards even today.
04-Jun-1998 | AN-No. 1GA34
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
After a communications satellite is on its target orbit, several routines need to be performed in order to ensure proper performance from the transponders in the payload. The on-orbit measurements are a vital part of the maintenance of a live satellite as well. Operating a satellite channel for an on-orbit measurement rather than the intended application comes with significant opportunity cost and hence test duration needs to be minimized as much as possible. Rohde & Schwarz test and measurement equipment recommended in this paper is market leading not only in terms of measurement accuracy but also offers unparalleled speed of measurement. This application note focuses on satellite post-launch or on-orbit measurement and monitoring strategies used for satellite functionality checks when running maintenance routines. A complementary paper treats pre-launch payload measurements.
25-Nov-2016 | AN-No. 1MA263
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
The R&S®ESW-B8 and R&S®ESW-B8E extended bandwidth options allow the R&S®ESW EMI test receiver to measure with a resolution bandwidth of up to 80 MHz. The increasing number of wideband applications (e.g. radar sensors) and accompanying standards means there is now a greater interest in wide bandwidth measurements.This application note describes the following topics for the R&S®ESW EMI test receiver:► Characteristics and implementation of RF signal paths► Image responses and how their rejection is handled ► Ultrawideband measurement applications as required e.g. by ETSI standards► Solutions for efficiently coping with bandwidth limitations in the range above 8 GHz
19-Nov-2020 | AN-No. 1EE26
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
Rohde & Schwarz signal generators can generate standard-compliant WLAN IEEE 802.11ac signals up to 160 MHz bandwidth with excellent EVM performance. This application note demonstrates the generator test solutions and explains step-by-step how to configure a test signal. Several measurements are presented to illustrate EVM performance.
26-Apr-2013 | AN-No. 1GP94
The verification of emissions according to EN or FCC standards is mandatory to avoid any interference with existing users. Besides the common emission tests with measurement bandwidth up to 1 MHz and mean power measurements, most regulations also require to test peak transmission power within a 50 MHz bandwidth to avoid interference with any existing wideband applications, for example radar receivers. This application note provides information how to perform spectral emission measurements on UWB signals with spectrum analyzers using wide bandwidth RBW filters, and explains the capabilities and the limiting factors of the Rohde & Schwarz FSW signal and spectrum analyzer to perform this measurement. The next sections will give further details.
28-Jun-2021 | AN-No. 1EF109
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
Rohde & Schwarz offers a powerful tool for remote control of their oscilloscopes - the RsInstrument Python module. This module enables users to control and automate their Rohde & Schwarz test & measurement instruments, including oscilloscopes, through Python scripts or interactive console communication.
14-Dec-2023
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
Most of the tests specified in standard TS 34.121 that 3GPP WCDMA user equipment (UE) has to fulfill can be performed solely by the Universal Radio Communication Tester CMU200 universal radio communication tester. Other tests, however, require additional instruments for generating one or more interfering signals, for fading setup or for high dynamic spectrum analysis. This application note shows how easy it is to perform these tests with the remote-control software CMUgo, using the CMU200 in combination with R&S signal generators and R&S spectrum analyzers.
09-Dec-2008 | AN-No. 1MA130
PESQ measurements employ a level adaptation algorithm and are hence widely insensitive to absolute level. However, if the tests are performed via a speech codec, the driving level of the codec has an influence on the MOS result. Therefore careful alignment of the level is required. This application note provides an application program which runs on the Audio Analyzer R&S UPV or R&S UPV66 and can be used to calibrate signal levels for the PESQ measurement.
30-Jun-2011 | AN-No. 1GA50
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 new R&S®DATA-NPT mobile network performance test from Rohde & Schwarz brings innovation to network performance testing. The patent-pending testing solution is a very compact and resource-saving implementation of a new measurement procedure that simultaneously measures the maximum data capacity and the minimum continuous connectivity in a mobile network.
21-Apr-2016
Femtocells or Home base stations are an important development for cellular networks. This application note describes the tests commonly used during the production of Femtocells, focusing on WCDMA, HSPA, and HSPA+ technology. Tests, test plans and hardware setups for Femtocells with and without receiver diversity are detailed. Find hints about the instrument settings and have a look at typical measurement results. An introduction to simulating GPS / A-GPS signals for testing the GPS receiver of a Femtocell completes the paper.
02-Feb-2012 | AN-No. 1MA139
This Application Note describes measurements on RFID readers and chipcards according to ISO/IEC 14443 and similar standards, using a signal generator and a spectrum analyzer. Using a modern spectrum analyzer like the R&S®FSL not only increases accuracy and measurement speed, but also simplifies operation. Interoperability tests, in particular, are simplified by generating reader test signals with a signal generator. With software option R&S®SMx/AMU/AFQ-K6 chipcards can be tested without a reader
25-Jan-2010 | AN-No. 1MA113
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
Nearly all tests in accordance with the Bluetooth low energy test specification V4.0 [1] can be performed using the R&S®CBT alone. Some tests additionally call for signal generators to provide interference signals. This application note describes the tests performed with additional equipment and presents straightforward solutions based on the R&S®CBTgo software.
18-Jul-2013 | AN-No. 1MA200
The Application Note summarises all measurements for WLAN test, according to the IEEE Standards 802.11a, b and g. For each measurement, an instrument list, test setups, test method, comments, typical results and implementation hints are included. The enclosed free of charge software provides all IEEE 488 bus sequences ready to run or copy into your own test environment.
28-Jul-2004 | AN-No. 1MA69
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
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
This Application Note describes the basic operating principles of distance measurement equipment (DME) and tactical air navigation (TACAN) for distance and bearing measurements in aviation along with diverse test possibilities for maintenance of DME/TACAN ground stations.Some tests are performed on the ground (on the RF port of the DME or TACAN station or in the field via antenna) while others require flight inspection.The R&S®EDS300 DME/pulse analyzer is the specialist for flight inspection and simultaneous measurement of up to 10 different DME’s and can also be used for monitoring tasks on ground (e.g. far field monitoring of all DME’s of an airport).The R&S®EDST300 TACAN/DME analyzer focusses on commissioning and regular maintenance checking of TACAN and DME ground stations and battery operated field measurements in the immediate environment of the station.
28-Mar-2017 | AN-No. 1EF91
Despite the advent of advanced digital transmission methods, analog broadcasting remains highly important. Until now, measurements on FM transmitters in connection with acceptance testing, commissioning and maintenance required using a variety of T&M instruments.The R&S ETL TV analyzer combines these instruments' capabilities in a single unit and can completely replace them. Now, for the first time, acceptance test measurements can be conducted on FM transmitters quickly and easily using just one compact test instrument. The R&S ETL provides the functionalities of a power meter, spectrum analyzer, audio generator, FM measurement demodulator, stereo decoder, audio analyzer and more in just one box.
10-Sep-2013 | AN-No. 7BM105