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
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
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
Level or power measurement of especially modulated signals using spectrum analyzers is becoming more and more important . Whereas the first choice in terms of accuracy for power measurement of any carrier (modulated or non-modulated) is a power meter, power measurement of spurious or in the adjacent channel of a transmission system needs a selective power meter with high dynamic range. A power meter, however, is a non-selective device with limited dynamic range and is not appropriate for these types of measurements. The first choice is a spectrum analyzer because of its versatile use as a general-purpose instrument. Compared to a power meter its power measurement accuracy is worse. In general this can be overcome by substitution methods using a power meter, an attenuator and a signal generator. But substitution is time-consuming and requires more investment in test equipment than a single instrument. Therefore it is most important to have a spectrum analyzer like the FSE, which can fulfill at least most of the requirements in terms of measurement accuracy.
13-Jan-1998 | AN-No. 1EF36
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
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
Rohde & Schwarz signal generators can generate standard-compliant WLAN IEEE 802.11ax signals for high efficiency (HE) receiver testing.This application note helps to choose the right generator test solutions and explains step-by-step how to generate 802.11ax SISO and MIMO signals. Measurements, such as EVM, are presented to illustrate the signal performance. Furthermore, this document shows how to test 802.11ax receiver specifications and the newly introduced HE trigger-based PPDU specifications according to the IEEE P802.11ax/D1.3 specification draft.
16-Aug-2017 | AN-No. 1GP115
With continuously increasing data rates, signal inte grity aspects of high-speed digital designs and the components used become more and more challenging. Particularly at higher data rates, vector network analyzers (VNA) are increasingly replacing traditional time domain reflectometry (TDR) setups for testing passive components such as connectors, cables and PCBs. Users benefit from the higher accuracy, speed and ESD robustness of the VNA, making the VNA the instrument of choice in this field.
20-Sep-2016
Performing precompliance measurements on power supplies requires using a line impedance stabilization network (LISN) for results that can be compared to limit values. While LISNs are standard in any precompliance lab, often no LISN is available for early R&D testing. If high accuracy is not your goal and you just need a simple tool for debugging, you can build your own LISN. Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscopes with powerful FFT analysis, are ideal for optimizing EMI filters or debugging unwanted emissions during development.
14-Jan-2021
Automating measurement setups is advantageous for multiple reasons. It saves time in case of repeated measurements and in hazardous environments, instruments can be operated from a distance. The measurements are repeatable because they are always performed with a defined procedure, leading to higher test confidence.But in remote control applications, users often perceive synchronization and binary transfers as challenging. Therefore, this application note focuses on binary transfer of data to and from the instrument and shows code example to demonstrate the ease of use.
31-Mar-2022 | AN-No. 1SL381
This application note and associated application software may be used to conduct psychoacoustic speech quality evaluation for Voice over LTE (VoLTE) connections. The measurements are based on recommendations ITU-T P.862 and ITU-T P.863, respectively.
21-Feb-2014 | AN-No. 1MA204
Vector Network Analyzers of the ZVR family measure magnitude and phase of complex S-parameters of a device under test (DUT) in the frequency domain. Using an inverse Fourier transform, the results can be transformed to the time domain. The impulse or step response of the DUT is obtained, which gives an especially clear representation of its characteristics. For instance, faults in cables can be directly localized. Moreover, special time domain filters, so-called gates, can be used to suppress unwanted signal components such as multireflections.
04-Aug-1998 | AN-No. 1EZ44
Signal generators play a vital role in electrical test and measurement. They generate the test signals that are applied to components such as filters and amplifier, or even to entire modules, in order to ascertain and test their behavior and characteristics. The first part of this educational note presents the applications for and the most important types of signal generators. This is followed by a description of the construction and functioning of analog and vector signal generators. To permit a better understanding of the specifications found on data sheets, a closer look at the most important parameters for a signal generator is provided.Beyond the output of spectrally pure signals, a key function of RF signal generators is the generation of analog- and digitally modulated signals. The second part of this note therefore presents the fundamentals for the most significant analog and digital modulation methods.The third part of this educational note contains exercises on the topics of analog and digital modulation. All described measurements were performed using the R&S®SMBV100A vector signal generator and the R&S®FSV spectrum analyzer.
03-May-2016 | AN-No. 1MA225
This white paper describes the interaction between intermodulation products generated by a device under test (DUT) and intermodulation products generated internally in a spectrum analyzer. The overall intermodulation distortion may be too optimistic or pessimistic. Examples demonstrating cancelling IM products and necessary steps to avoid an influence of the spectrum analyzer on the measurement results are outlined.
29-Nov-2012 | AN-No. 1MA219
For establishing a WLAN connection between R&S®CMW and device under test (DUT), the WLAN properties at the R&S®CMW have to be adapted to the test conditions. These can vary in several aspects, particularly due to the different WLAN standards and characteristics of the DUT. This document describes the critical parameters and provides step-by-step procedures for the configuration.
08-Dec-2015 | AN-No. 1C106
Road safety is a global challenge at present and will be in the future. Automotive radar has become a keyword in this area and pushes again a step forward to increase driving comfort, crash prevention and even automated driving.Driver assistance systems which are supported by radar are already common. Most assistant systems are increasing the drivers comfort by collision warning systems, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-change assistance, rear cross-traffic alerts and back-up parking assistance.Today's 24 GHz, 77 GHz and 79 GHz radar sensors clearly need the capability to distinguish between different objects and offer high range resolution. That is possible with increased signal bandwidth.Furthermore, those radar systems need to cope with interference of many kinds like the one from other car's radar.This Application Note addresses signal measurements and analysis of automotive radars that are crucial during the development and verification stages. It also shows a setup to verify the functionality of a radar in case of radio interference.
10-Jun-2016 | AN-No. 1MA267
With the start and spread of 5G communications services and new form factors such as wearables and foldable phones, an increasing number of flexible printed circuit boards (PCB) that support high frequency signals are being produced. These boards must exhibit excellent frequency characteristics. In the past, a PCB’s frequency characteristics were subjected to sampling inspection using a test coupon. For flexible PCBs, a new method is needed to provide repeatable and proper verification. The Yamaha® MP Series combined with the R&S®ZNBT vector network analyzer measure the high frequency characteristics of a production lot at high speed and high accuracy, enabling 100 % measurement of mass produced rigid and flexible PCBs.
27-Jan-2020
This R&S®CMU200 1xEV-DO Release B non-signaling testing application provides the means to allow users to perform RF measurements on a 1xEV-DO Rel. B access terminal in a mode that does not require any signaling. This allows the calibration and final tests of a Rel. B AT, according to the minimum performance standards with the R&S®CMU200.
29-Jun-2009 | AN-No. 1CM74
This application note describes DFS measurements with a spectrum analyzer. An external program, the DFS Analysis Tool, is used to improve measurement speed.
30-Mar-2007 | AN-No. 1EF59
RF pulse measurements, to characterize the signal in the frequency domain, are traditionally carried out on an RF spectrum analyzer. For time related pulse parameters, oscilloscopes are widely used. However, the measurement capabilities of state of the art test and measurement equipment has evolved over time and crosses domains. With a combination of R&S®RTO digital oscilloscope and dedicated pulse analysis software R&S®VSE-K6, pulse signals can be analyzed in both domains, frequency and time.The R&S®RTO digital oscilloscopes are unique in that they allow output of I/Q data for processing. This application note focusses on signal measurement using this instrument.Analysis of an L-/S-band ATC RADAR utilizing the R&S®RTO2044 oscilloscope running Vector Signal Explorer Software R&S®VSE and Pulse Analysis personality R&S®VSE-K6 is followed by measurements on an X-band RADAR utilizing R&S®FSW, R&S®FPS, R&S®FSV or FSVA signal & spectrum analyzers with the same dedicated R&S®VSE-K6 software.
18-Oct-2016 | AN-No. 1MA249
More and more mobile radio networks implement remote radio equipment (RE) that is connected to the base station main unit via a digital interface using standardized transmission protocols such as CPRI. For testing RE devices Rohde & Schwarz offers a complete test solution based on the R&S®EX-IQ-BOX [Model K04]. This key component is a configurable digital interface module that is used to connect Rohde & Schwarz test equipment to a RE under test using CPRI data transmission. This application note explains in detail the instrument setup and configuration needed to successfully test your remote radio head.
05-Aug-2013 | AN-No. 1GP78
This application note provides an introduction to the DDR memory technology and explains common challenges, related to the specific nature of DDR data, command / address and control buses and describes the typical measurements to verify and debug DDR system designs.The paper explains the recommended test points and the connection of oscilloscope probes as well as the compensation of effects from DDR interposers via deembedding. The document describes efficient Signal Integrity verification with eye diagram measurements, advanced triggering and TDR/TDT functionality. Given the high number of signal lines and the dynamic bus termination, SSN (simultaneous switching noise) has a significant effect in DDR memory designs and Signal Integrity as well as Power Integrity is highly pattern dependent. We introduce techniques to achieve high acquisition rates and help to efficiently detect worst case scenarios, affecting the performance of the overall memory design. The document also includes a close look on Power Integrity.Providing best practice examples in the design verification and debugging process, the document addresses all system designers and test engineers, working on DDR memory designs.
30-Oct-2020 | AN-No. GFM340
As well as static tests, modern mobile communication standards also stipulate measurements under fading conditions, sometimes with additional white gaussian noise AWGN. Rohde & Schwarz supports these tests with the combination of the R&S®CMU200 Radio Communication Tester and the R&S®SMU200A or R&S®AMU200A Vector / Baseband Signal Generator and Fading Simulator. Applying fading and noise always raises the crest factor of a signal considerably. Thus, automatic path attenuation inside the Rohde & Schwarz baseband fader prevents the new signal peaks from being clipped at I/Q full scale. Any additional attenuation in the baseband, however, makes the RF output fall below its intended level. This application note shows how to achieve an accurate RF output level by compensating for the I/Q attenuation - without modifying the test setup or using additional instruments.
09-Jan-2009 | AN-No. 1MA135
As phase noise becomes an increasingly important system-level specification for electronic test equipment, communications systems, and radar systems. It is not only important to quantify the noise produced by oscillators, but also the noise added by each component in the signal processing chain. This application note reviews the fundamentals of residual or additive noise and addresses measurement techniques for determining the amplitude (AM) and phase noise added by two-port devices such as: amplifiers, mixers, block frequency converters, multipliers, dividers, and frequency synthesizers.Additionally, the Rohde & Schwarz FSWP phase noise analyzer will be introduced and a discussion of residual noise measurement techniques for the above-mentioned devices will be provided.
09-Oct-2017 | AN-No. 1EF100
The R&S®NRP-Z power sensors from Rohde & Schwarz represent the latest in power measurement technology. They offer all the functionality of conventional power meters, and more, within the small housing of a power sensor. This application note serves as a coding guide for situations in which the R&S®NRP-Z power sensors are to be used in custom test and measurement software.
06-Mar-2012 | AN-No. 1GP69
While Mobile phones are allowed to require approximately 3 time slots for switching from transmission to reception, base stations must be able to transmit and receive at a new frequency in every time slot in the frequency hopping mode. This behaviour must of course be tested and measurements carried out on the base station transmitter and receiver. Since there is no signal generator which is able to settle at different frequencies from one to the next time slot with GSM modulation, a solution to this problem was found by linking two Signal Generators SME in such a way that they alternately provide signals at different frequencies.
01-Jul-1999 | AN-No. 1GPAN28
Phase difference is the key parameter when characterizing direction finding (DF) scenarios. To analyze DF equipment, the phase difference needs to be determined before measuring other parameters such as the bearing. The R&S®VSE-K6A multichannel pulse analysis software in combination with a Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscope provides phase difference measurements even in challenging environments, utilizing the test equipment’s advanced trigger capabilities.
02-Mar-2021
This white paper describes the POLQA® algorithm implemented in the R&S®UPV Audio Analyzer and shows an example hardware setup for standard independent audio measurements.
30-May-2012 | AN-No. 1MA202
This application note explains the fundamentals of the cell search and cell selection and reselection procedures required for both modes of UMTS Long Term Evolution: FDD and TDD. It describes how to generate and analyze the required signals using Rohde & Schwarz test and measurement solutions. The application note also shows how to perform interoperability tests and terminal conformance tests according to the baseline of the 3GPP specifications for protocol conformance and Radio Resource Management (RRM).
17-Sep-2009 | AN-No. 1MA150
RF performance measurements for Wi-Fi 7.
30-May-2022
This Application Note describes measurements compliant with the CDMA2000® base station standard described in 3GPP2 C.S0010-C v2.0 / TIA/EIA-97-F-1. The primary focus is on solutions for generating and analyzing CDMA2000® signals. The special characteristics that make the selected signal generators and signal analyzers highly suitable for this purpose are detailed, and remote control programming is demonstrated by means of a free-of-charge program.
15-Sep-2009 | AN-No. 1MA109