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.
1104 Results
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
7BM30 Digital TV,DTV,DVB,MPEG2,Broadcasting,Television,SFQ,EFA Phase Jitter in DTV Signals Phase Jitter in DTV Signals 7BM30 Digital TV,DTV,DVB,MPEG2,Broadcasting,Television,SFQ,EFA Phase Jitter in DTV Signals Related products
16-May-2002 | AN-No. 7BM30
This appication note introduces a program suitable for generating and analyzing WiMAX IEEE 802.16 signals for power amplifier testing. The program allows the user to change the generator settings, to select specific pre-defined test parameters and to analyze the test results. The application note describes the test parameters and the features and capabilities of the program.
03-Aug-2007 | AN-No. RAC-0611-0025
Designing and implementing an active phased array antenna requires precise characterization of individual components and the integrated performance of the array. To ensure an accurate test of the intended adaptive nature of the active phased array antenna, the embedded algorithms need to be tested as well.This application note aims to explain test procedures and give recommendations towards characterization of the relevant parameters for active phased array antennas and their passive subsystem, as often used in applications for Mobile Communication and RADAR. This application note describes transmit signal quality testing, multi-element amplitude and phase measurement techniques both in receive and transmit cases and introduces a new automated test methodology antenna radiation pattern measurement over frequency. This paper also describes the test system used for transmit and receive module (TRM) characterization in active array antennas.
04-Jul-2016 | AN-No. 1MA248
An offline AC/DC switching converter has no separate bias power supply that provides power to the control integrated circuit itself. Here, an auxiliary primary winding and discrete components are added to supply power to the control circuit. Verifying this circuitry is essential and requires accurate and detailed signal level and timing measurements. The startup sequence takes a long time, which needs to be taken into consideration in the measurement and requires an instrument with sufficient memory.
23-Nov-2022
This document is divided in two parts and starts with an introduction in AC-DC conversion principles in general. It will present the most common circuits used for different power levels. The switching mode power supply (SMPS) converter will be the main focus as they are used everywhere in the electronics. Especially the flyback converter design in different flavors are highlighted. Nevertheless, all measurements are also applicable for other SMPS converter designs operating at higher power levels.In the second part of this document, most relevant testing methods and procedures of an AC-DC converter are highlighted. For each testing section, a fundamental part will be upfront discussed and it is followed by a presentation of a suitable measurement method. In this second part, the device under test (DUT) is considered as black box device and thus the structure is similar. Therefore, the testing parts consists of methods related to input tests, output tests and a combination of both like efficiency. Of course, some test performed at the output of the converter are also relevant for DC-DC converter, e.g. the validation of the output ripple.
14-Nov-2022 | AN-No. 1SL387
Oscilloscopes are basic everyday instruments for engineers and electricians. Maintenance tasks, however, sometimes require very specific measurements that are not available as standard functionality or are difficult to set up manually. With the R&S®RTH-K38 user scripting option, engineers can now design their own measurement function and a simple user interface. This paper describes how to use this unique feature for railway maintenance work.
06-May-2020
The RSIB interface enables the network analyzers of the ZVR family to be controlled by means of Windows applications via DDE. The interface functions are contained in the DLL RSIB.DLL. The other DLL RSDDE.DLL provides functions for the DDE access to the instrument firmware. These functions are used by RSIB.DLL. The interface of these functions greatly corresponds to that of National Instruments for programming the GPIB. The function names are similar to those of the NI library but preceded by RSDLL. The two DLLs are part of the firmware and are updated with the firmware update kits.
31-Jul-1998 | AN-No. 1EZ33
The R&S®QPS quick personnel security scanners are new, high-resolution security scanners designed specifically to make people screening at security checkpoints faster, more effective and comfortable.
23-Jan-2019
To analyse the quality of CD players, lots of measurements have to be done. This application note presents a program, which combines these measurements to an automatically running sequence and gives a printout of the results. A test CD is used for generating the test signals. Here the Audio Test Disc UPA-CD from Rohde & Schwarz is used, which holds all required signals in a sequence permitting automatic measurements to be carried out, without the need of controlling the CD player. In addition, this application note explains the measurements and informs about the different standards.
16-Feb-1998 | AN-No. 1GA21
A vector-modulated microwave signal can be generated by mixing an I/Q-modulated signal with a microwave carrier. This Application Note describes the frequency upconversion using a standard passive mixer. The basics of mixer operation are introduced and the conversion process is demonstrated in detail with a test setup and corresponding measurements. The mixer selection guide will make it easier to choose a proper mixer for individual applications.
18-Dec-2008 | AN-No. 1GP65
RF system noise contributions define receiver capabilities and sensitivity. The noise figure measures how the critical components affect the signal.
28-Jan-2022
Leaving aside the microwave generators, the present line of Rohde & Schwarz products comprisessignal generators up to 1 GHz (SMX, SMG), up to 2 GHz (SMH, SMGU), up to 3 GHz (SME, SMT) and up to 4.3 GHz (SMHU). For applications at higher frequencies, all signal generators can also be operated with an external passive frequency doubler. This extends the range of possible applications up to 8.6 GHz. Some degraded specs regarding level and modulation are described below. For people using the frequency range 3 to 6 GHz, the low priced combination SMT plus frequency doubler will mainly be interesting. Signal generator SMHU is useful for the frequency range up to 8.6 GHz. Especially the phase noise performance is excellent with this instrument. the required output signal. It should also be pointed out that the residual FM and the SSB phase noise will be 6 dB poorer as a result of frequency doubling.
20-Apr-1998 | AN-No. 1GPAN03
IEEE 802.15.4 (ZigBee™) uses OQPSK with a half-sine pulse shaping filter as modulation. This application note describes how to generate and analyze ZigBee™ signals. Simple test signals can be setup with the free-of-charge simulation software R&S WinIQSIM™ and transferred to the vector signal generator R&S SMU200A. It describes how to setup the vector signal analyzer R&S FSQ with option R&S FSQ-K70 for ZigBee™ signal demodulation and how to analyze modulation quality such as error vector magnitude (EVM).
21-Jun-2007 | AN-No. RSI03
The UPL Audio Analyzer can be remote-controlled via the IEEE bus or the RS-232-C interface. Test results are output either individually or in blocks. ASCII or binary files such as setup files can be transferred to the audio analyzer from an external controller. This Application transfers files from the audio analyzer to an external controller via the serial interface. Utility programs for the audio analyzer and the external controller (PC) are required.
15-Nov-2001 | AN-No. 1GA42
The topic of this application note is mobile phone measurements – in theory and in practice. It discusses measurements according to the most common standard in use today, GSM.The first, theoretical portion of this application note covers digital modulation and access methods in general. This is followed by an overview of the specific characteristics of the GSM standard as well as a summary of the most important mobile radio measurements.The second, practical portion of this application note covers some of these measurements in detail and runs through them step by step. These measurements can be performed by small groups in labs.The measurements and analysis of the results are intended to illustrate the theoretical portion of the application note and to deepen the reader's understanding.All measurements are performed using the R&S®CMW500 wideband radio communication tester and an off the shelf mobile phone.
22-Aug-2014 | AN-No. 1MA231
The R&S®Pulse Sequencer software together with the R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator offers a simple and easy way to simulate multi-emitter environments. It enables engineers to validate and verify the EW receiver performance.
13-Nov-2018
Fading is known from shortwave transmission, where the received field strength level may strongly vary due to atmospheric disturbances. In analog TV, the term 'fading' is practically unknown. Rather, one talks of 'antenna shadows' or 'ghost images'. The effect in question, however, is fading, ie constant reflection of the eletromagnetic waves emitted by the TV transmitter by walls of buildings, mountain slopes and similar reflecting natural or artificial obstacles. In analog TV, fading is of minor importance since the effects thereof can be eliminated almost completely through the directivity and exact orientation of the Yagi roof antenna for stationary TV reception at home. [[ br />Fading effects can also be observed in analog cable TV, for example in a block of flats linked to the cable network with one or several antenna sockets in every flat. If the taps for the sockets are not match-terminated, reflections with constant level and constant phase arise which may cause level reductions of several dB at exactly calculable points in the cable. [[ br />Moreover, the reception of TV signals broadcast via satellite can be impaired by fading. A known phenomenon is flickering of the received picture, produced by planes flying past or a drop in receive field strength caused by an approaching thunderstorm. All the above receive conditions have one thing in common: reception is stationary with a direct line of sight to the TV transmitter. [[ br />Looking at receive conditions in DVB, the effects in cable and satellite reception (DVB-C and DVB-S) are found to be similar as in analog reception. In these two modes reception is stationary, too. Terrestrial transmission (DVB-T) not only provides for stationary operation but also for portable and mobile reception. This considerably accentuates the effects of fading. [[ br />In this application note we investigate fading effects in DVB, with the emphasis on those in DVB-T signals.
06-Feb-2001 | AN-No. 7BM05
When monitoring transmission systems it is often necessary to control the monitoring equipment and to check the measurement results from a remote station. The user may also be interested to know which transmission data cause an error or violate a standard. Rohde & Schwarz offers several instruments that meet all these requirements in the field of digital TV transmission. This application note gives an overview of the design and use of a DTV monitoring system made up of the above-mentioned instruments and meeting the requirements.
15-Feb-2002 | AN-No. 7BM38
Almost every switched-mode power supply (SMPS) needs an EMI (Electro Magnetic Interference) input filter to suppress any disturbances of the SMPS on the power lines. This requirement having an input filter in the design ensures that no negative effect will occur in other parts of the systems connected to the power lines. Therefore, the design and the validation of the input filter is a major task during a typical power supply design. The conducted emission (CE) test according to a specific standard is a suitable and a common validation method to release the design at the end of the development cycle. Nowadays, this conducted emission test will be performed as pre-compliance test during the development phase in the lab as well. In this case, the designer will obtain an early feedback whether the design has to be optimized regarding any disturbances present on the power lines. In most cases, the designer has to adjust the input filter to obtain a more effective suppression of disturbances generated by the SMPS. However, the designer needs to know details about the noise spectrum to optimize the input filter as effective as possible. In addition to magnitude and frequency information of the noise source, it would be very helpful to know whether the noise is generated by a common mode source or by a differential mode source. During the standard conducted emission test, common and differential mode noise is a combination in the measurement results and thus not possible to gain deeper insights. This document will describe a method to separate common-mode and differential-mode separation using two oscilloscope channels. This separation approach works without any additional hardware component like a noise separator. The designer will be able to distinguish between common-mode (CM) and differential-mode (DM) noise. This additional information about the dominant mode provides the capability to optimize input filters very efficiently.
17-Sep-2020 | AN-No. GFM353
High-speed serial interfaces often transmit data with differential signaling and differential probes that can be used to access signal traces. In addition to differential inputs, these probes have a ground connection.
02-Nov-2022
This paper explains how to use the Rohde & Schwarz IVI.NET instrument drivers in Visual Studio environment from the prospective of an occasional C# programmer in need of automating a measurement task.
31-May-2016 | AN-No. 1MA268
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
Spectrum that was previously reserved for TV broadcasting is being freed up in many countries for use under the new Long Term Evolution (LTE) mobile radio standard (keyword: 'digital dividend'). As a result, numerous coexistence scenarios are possible. So network operators and manufacturers from both the mobile radio and the broadcast sector have a vital interest in avoiding any interference and performing in-depth testing of their products. Rohde & Schwarz offers a wideranging product portfolio for such applications. This Application Note presents Test & Measurement equipment for the broadcast and mobile radio sector and discusses some possible test setups.
08-Dec-2011 | AN-No. 1MA176
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
Detailed instructions on 'How to activate the Win XP firewall'. The firewall is already activated on new units!
23-Nov-2004 | AN-No. 7BM46
RF interference is one of the largest contributors to poor network performance. It shows up in dropped calls and low data throughput rates. Traditionally, interference hunting means you get a list of sites with bad performance from an OSS. This defines the areas for interference hunting quite well.If, however, the problem remains after attempts at mitigation, it could be because other sources often mask symptoms of RF interference. Usually the strongest masking is due to the overlap between the interference signal and your network's signals. Analysis could involve complete cities or even countries, an error-prone task when using traditional spectrum analyzers and/or portable receivers and one that consumes a significant amount of time and budget.A more automated solution for larger areas can make the effort involved more manageable. The Rohde & Schwarz network scanner family (R&S®TSME, R&S®TSMA and R&S®TSMW) plus the network problem analyzer (NPA) feature of the R&S®ROMES4 measurement software is such a solution. It allows you to perform a fast drive test with a fleet of cars and collect spectrum data for your targeted or even complete network area in next to no time. Back at your office, the NPA tells you where to send dedicated interference hunting teams with an analyzer or receiver to track down the source of interference. This paper introduces the approach in detail.
02-Oct-2017 | AN-No. 1MA293
In frequent cases, it appears that the MPEG2 decoder is not located in the control/monitoring room. The present application note describes how to operate a remote control of up to four DVMDs over an ethernet link.
31-Mar-1999 | AN-No. 7BM01
This Rohde & Schwarz application note provides an introduction into the DVB-H standard at first. It then discusses the test of DVB-H-capable mobile phones in development and production.
07-Apr-2005 | AN-No. 1MA91