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.
1118 Results
High-speed serial interfaces often transmit data with differential signaling. For probing on the signal, trace differential probes are used. Besides the differential inputs, these probes often provide an additional connection for ground – especially the higher bandwidth models. The ground connection on the R&S®RT‑ZMxx modular multimode probes can be used to improve measurements on high-speed differential interfaces.
09-Nov-2017
Rohde & Schwarz signal generators and spectrum analyzers can be used to test IEEE 802.11ax stations in terms of uplink accuracy requirements. Measurements such as residual carrier frequency error and timing accuracy of HE TB PPDU transmissions are supported.
09-Nov-2017
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
In car-to-car communications scenarios, fading is always present and has an enormous impact on the received signal. The R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator lets you perform the most accurate and reproducible receiver tests under car-to-car fading conditions. The required car-to-car radio channel models have been extracted from real field trials and specified by the CAR 2 CAR Communication Consortium. Now it is possible to verify receiver performance under controlled conditions in the lab.
06-Nov-2017
The R&S®FSWP phase noise analyzer is a highend instrument designed to accurately analyze noise performance of key components in radar and communications systems. Using phase noise measurements, a device’s large-signal noise figure can be derived under real-world operating conditions.
27-Oct-2017
This application note shows how to use Rohde & Schwarz signal generators and analyzers for testing early 5G New Radio components, chipsets and devices. Methods for easy creation and analysis of custom OFDM are explained. The solution provides● a single user interface for signal generation and analysis configuration● Flexible OFDM configuration and signal generation incl. flexible pilot and data allocation● User defined modulation schemes including complex scenarios, e.g. 5G NR PSS
23-Oct-2017 | AN-No. 1MA308
This application note briefly summarizes the history of SCPI and outlines in which fields of application a SCPI based test system software has still advantages over a driver (e.g. IVI) based approach. Further the unique features of the high-end R&SSMW 200A vector signal generator that allow an increase in efficiency of SCPI based test system software development are introduced and operating guidelines are provided.
18-Oct-2017 | AN-No. 1GP98
Rohde & Schwarz presents the R&S®ATS1000 antenna test system, a highly accurate solution for testing 5G antennas up to mmWave frequencies in a mobile shielded chamber.
17-Oct-2017
Its excellent realtime baseband performance in combination with its ability to easily import the scattering parameters of an active/passive twoport interconnection network via s2p-files make the R&S®SMW200A vector signal generator ideal for high-precision RF and microwave tests requiring deembedding of the device under test (DUT).
11-Oct-2017
Receiver diversity improves reception quality by using multiple antennas with a preferably low correlation factor between each receive path. The result is a much more robust reception, since a deep fade will not affect all received signals at the same time.However, the complex geometry and positioning constraints for antennas of the receiving devices can introduce an unwanted correlation between channels. The popular diversity test setup consisting of several independent transmitters does not serve the needs of a realistic simulation, because radio channel correlation is not simulated.This application note explains a compact and versatile MIMO test solution for any common broadcast standard with real time fading including the simulation of channel correlation for a 1x4 MIMO system.The test setup allows very precisely specified individual multipath profiles.
11-Oct-2017 | AN-No. 1GP114
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®Pulse Sequencer software offers a powerful mechanism to model sequences that are often required for meaningful radar receiver test cases. The sequences can consist of many individual elements, such as pulses defined by the software or imported waveform segments. The software’s powerful interpulse modulation mechanism gives the user full control of each single element.
03-Oct-2017
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
This application note reviews a new calibration subsystem which consists of Inline Calibration Units (ICUs). These ICUs are designed for in situ use, so they are left in place both during the calibration procedure and during the measurement of the Device Under Test (DUT).This adds versatility, convenience and accuracy to the VNA based measurement system, as it means the calibration can be refreshed at any time without manually disconnecting the DUT from the test system.
29-Sep-2017 | AN-No. 1EZ71
This application note shows all necessary settings for performing Dual Receiver Measurement using the R&S®EMC32-K27 option via R&S® EMC32 Measurement Software.
28-Sep-2017 | AN-No. 1SP20
Digital pre-distortion (DPD) is a common method to linearize the output signal of a power amplifier (PA), which is being operated in its non-linear operating range.Most PAs operate in their non-linear range for efficiency reasons. The drawback of higher efficiency is the non-linear operating range. In order to maintain signal quality, many transmitters employ DPD. Implementing real-time DPD in a transmitter is a challenging task and often ends in PA models, which are specific to the signal transmitted.Even though these complex models are required for transmitter development, they are not needed during PA verification and development.This article describes an approach to generate a pre-distorted signal based on a hard-clipper. The resulting waveform pushes the output of the DUT as close to the hard-clipper as possible.Due to the waveform approach, the algorithm compensates all memory effects.
13-Sep-2017 | AN-No. 1EF99
LTE user equipment (UE) receiver performance has significant impact to cellular radio network coverage and capacity. It determines the maximum data throughput across the air interface between the LTE base station (eNB, evolved node B) and the mobile network subscriber UE, thus it determines the total capacity across the air interface. Therefore, it is one of the most important measurements to verify the actual receiver performance of individual devices, and a key metric to compare different devices, in particular.This paper shall give an introduction to receiver performance measurements and discusses the measurement metrics as well as the challenges of over the air (OTA) measurements.
31-Aug-2017 | AN-No. 1ST001
Heinz Mellein, Manuel Mielkech 8NT01 MIMO Channel,Field Measurements,MIMO Evaluation,R&STSMx,R&SROMES Assessing a MIMO Channel Heinz Mellein, Manuel Mielkech 8NT01 MIMO Channel,Field Measurements,MIMO Evaluation,R&STSMx,R&SROMES Related products
31-Aug-2017 | AN-No. 8NT01
Radio frequencies in bands around 28 GHz are being discussed as candidates for mobile communications of the fifth generation (5G). Beam steering will be a key feature in the context of 5G. It will be a major challenge to test the beam steering capabilities of base stations and user equipment in every phase from research and development through production. Conducted measurements will be mainly replaced by over-the-air measurements of electromagnetic radiation. Rohde & Schwarz offers the R&S®NRPM Over-the-Air (OTA) Power Measurement Solution that perfectly fits such measurement needs.Part of this solution are the R&S®NRPM-A66 antenna modules. They have integrated diode detectors. Thus, there are no cables between the antenna and the detector as in traditional setups. This avoids high and potentially unknown RF losses. The R&S®NRPM-A66 antenna modules with their integrated diode detectors are factory calibrated, which means that the user does not have to calibrate them to achieve highly accurate measurement results.This application note contains theoretical background on OTA power and pattern measurements. It gives step-by-step instructions for the verification of the power level and the radiation pattern of a device under test (DUT) in comparison to a golden device, and it presents an approach for verifying the accuracy of beam steering.
29-Aug-2017 | AN-No. 1GP118
The audio performance measurement solution for the R&S®CMW500 platform identifies audio and speech performance issues over a wireless connection.
26-Aug-2017
RTH, EN 50160 standard, Scope Rider, RTH-K34, RTH-K15 Providing eight test instruments in one rugged, battery-operated device, the R&S®RTH handheld digital oscilloscope is a flexible and powerful solution for this application. Measuring power quality in electrical installations RTH, EN 50160 standard, Scope Rider, RTH-K34, RTH-K15 Providing eight test instruments in one rugged, battery-operated device
25-Aug-2017
The battery life measurement solution for the R&S®CMW500 platform identifies which ECUs and which applications running on telematics units impact battery life.
23-Aug-2017
When analyzing the robustness of data transmission systems, jitter is a key indicator. It is recommended to use jitter measurement instruments for both the time and frequency domain in order to differentiate between fast and slow moving artifacts.
22-Aug-2017
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
Phase distortions in a transmission channel are determined using group delay measurements, they must be as low as possible to maintain good signal quality. Vector network analyzers are normally used to characterize the group delay variations as a measure of phase distortion.This application note provides basic information about the concept of a group delay measurement with spectrum analyzers and signal generators, and how this method simplifies the test setup and improves the measurement speed.Measurement examples show the limiting factors of this approach and help the user to understand and avoid some limitations of this method. In addition the test results are compared to those generated with vector network analyzers.
09-Aug-2017 | AN-No. 1EF98
Today’s digital designs and high-speed data converters require clean clocks with minimal jitter
03-Aug-2017
Energy efficiency of RF Frontends (RFFE), especially transmitters, continues to gain greater prominence.Meeting the efficiency challenge is increasingly difficult at higher operating frequencies and bandwidths, such as those proposed for 5G.There is a group of transmitter RFFE architectures whose signal output is constructed from two, or more, efficiently generated components. This signal construction in effect, means that such architectures use predictive, post-correction linearization. Their predictive nature enables distortion to be completely eliminated.The capabilities of multi-channel signal synthesis setups with R&S®SMW200A, in combination with the R&S®FSW analyzer enable measurement, hence development, of these types of transmitters.The document focusses on devices for the 3.5 GHz NR (5G New Radio) candidate band, but its findings are equally applicable to developments and measurements for, for example, K-band satellite applications or mmW NR candidate bands, where efficiency is an even more crucial design target.
01-Aug-2017 | AN-No. 1MA289
The R&S®Pulse Sequencer software together with any Rohde & Schwarz vector signal generator offers an easy and convenient way to generate pulses. For the first time, one package helps you define all the test cases you need in the lab for your entire product development cycle. Test cases extend from simple pulse scenarios for initial component testing to complex 3D radar emitters for acceptance testing of complete systems.
27-Jul-2017
This application note provides a brief introduction into the capabilities of the Rohde & Schwarz Vector Signal Generators (VSG) to create user defined digitally modulated signals called Custom Digital Modulation (CDM). Additionally an in depth description of the functions and the operation of the CDM-Toolbox is provided. The CDM-Toolbox is application software which allows an easy remote configuration of CDM signals on Rohde & Schwarz VSGs but also the creation of data list and control list files which are most useful to further extend the application area of CDM signals.
24-Jul-2017 | AN-No. 1GP96
The IP connection security analysis solution for the R&S®CMW500 platform identifies IP connection vulnerabilities in telematics units at an early stage of development.
18-Jul-2017