Sigfox – the ultimate sensor network

Sigfox – the ultimate sensor network

Rohde & Schwarz offers comprehensive test solutions to measure key performance criteria of Sigfox devices

The wireless technology Sigfox is one of the most prominent low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) technologies on the market. Sigfox was founded in 2009 as a startup in France with the intention of building a global network dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT). Operating at very low cost and with minimal energy consumption, Sigfox was specifically designed for sensor networks that only require tiny uplink data capacities. Today, Sigfox has a global footprint and connects millions of devices.

Sigfox - designed for sensor networks

Designed for sensor networks

Sigfox is a ultra narrow band (UNB) technology. Frequency hopping, frame repetition and multi-basestation connectivity make it very resilient against interference. Sigfox employs a radio access scheme that enables communications by using one of the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio bands. For example, in Europe a 192 kHz wide spectrum at 868 MHz is used for deployment with a channel bandwidth of 100 Hz for uplink communications. In order to achieve extremly low power consumption, communication with the device is only possible during short time periods, for example when the device switches on its receiver after sending a message.

Your Sigfox test challenges

As an LPWAN technology, the key performance and quality criteria of Sigfox are RF performance in the transmit and receive modes and power consumption. Testing some of the essential RF parameters is recommended before applying for the required Sigfox certification and regulatory conformance certification in order to save time and money and to provide the best customer experience. Tests are performed in the R&D lab to maximize performance and interoperability. Sigfox devices that need to operate reliably and safely under difficult conditions for at least 10 years require quality assurance measures during production. This includes, for example, the verification of RF performance and basic functionalities.

Benefits of Rohde & Schwarz Sigfox test solutions

  • Measurements can be easily performed with standard instruments from Rohde & Schwarz
  • Test solutions for every area – from R&D to Sigfox device production
  • Standard Rohde & Schwarz instruments for conformance and preconformance setups

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R&S®FPL1000 spectrum analyzer

Fast and simple Sigfox spectrum analysis with solid RF performance, lightweight design and a small footprint.

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R&S®SMBV100B vector signal generator

An ideal combination of performance and usability. Supports the generation of Sigfox signals for sensitivity tests.

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R&S®RT-ZVC multi-channel power probe

Deep-dive power analysis with R&S®RT-ZVC multi-channel power probes connected to R&S®RTE/RTO/RTP multi-domain oscilloscopes.

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R&S®CMW100 communications manufacturing test set

A trendsetting product and an ideal choice for efficient Sigfox testing in production.

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Related resources

Application note: Characterization of Sigfox devices from lab to production line

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Application card: Are you ready to connect to SigFox?

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Related topics

IoT testing

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NB-IoT / LTE-M network testing

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