RF and Wireless Test

Rohde & Schwarz adds MIMO precoding and channel coding to its 3GPP LTE signal generators

Rohde & Schwarz has added channel coding and MIMO precoding for up to four transmit antennas to its industry-leading signal generators for 3GPP LTE (uplink and downlink). Whether mobile equipment manufacturers are looking for a unique all-in-one solution for 2×2 MIMO signals and realtime fading or simply need standard-compliant RF or baseband signals,  Rohde & Schwarz offers the ideal solution.

By including the latest revisions of the 3GPP LTE standard in the firmware for its signal generators, Rohde & Schwarz offers highly flexible T&M equipment for the development of LTE equipment. In performance testing, for example, both the R&S SMU200A vector signal generator and the R&S AMU200A baseband signal generator, generate standard-compliant test signals, including 2×2 MIMO fading in realtime. Both one-box solutions support the ITU fading profiles defined for 3GPP LTE including the correlation between the fading paths.

Manufacturers no longer need external fading hardware or control software for testing 3GPP LTE mobile stations. Since the signal generators provide
3GPP TS 36.211 standard-compliant signals, the full scope of RF performance can be tested. No additional instruments or an external PC for signal calculation are required, which simplifies the test setup significantly.

The new firmware update for MIMO precoding and channel coding for 3GPP LTE can be installed on the R&S SMU200A, R&S SMATE200A and R&S SMJ100A vector signal generators, as well as into the R&S AMU200A and R&S AFQ100A baseband signal generators. The new features will then be available with the internal R&S SMx-/R&S AMU-K55 options and the R&S WinIQSIM2 options (R&S SMU-/R&S SMJ-/R&S AMU-/ R&S AFQ-K255).

Microwave spectrum analyzer up to 18 GHz from Rohde & Schwarz

The portable R&S FSL18 from Rohde & Schwarz expands the company’s product portfolio for spectrum analysis to meet the increasing demand for compact instruments in applications such as the installation and maintenance of WiMAX networks. For the entry-level class, its combination of wide frequency range and large I/Q demodulation bandwidth (28 MHz) is unique.

Featuring a frequency range of 9 kHz to 18 GHz, the R&S FSL18 can perform measurements on microwave systems. This includes radar and microwave link systems as well as production tests on microwave components such as mixers and amplifiers. Due to its large I/Q demodulation bandwidth and the extensive software capabilities of the R&S FSL family, the new spectrum analyzer is the only instrument in its class to support the WLAN, WiMAX and WCDMA standards.

The instrument’s low weight (<8 kg) and DC/battery operation also make it ideal for mobile use in the field when no AC supply is available. Transmitter measurements for civil and military applications – from WiMAX and Satcom up to radar – can be performed easily. When equipped with the R&S FSL-K9 option, the R&S FSL supports the direct connection of power sensors from the R&S NRP family. This increases the accuracy of the measurements and eliminates the need for an extra power meter.

An overall measurement uncertainty of <1.2 dB at 18 GHz ensures precise results, even in the microwave range. In addition, the instrument’s resolution bandwidths (RBW) from 1 Hz to 10 MHz (20 MHz at zero span) provide high flexibility for analyzing pulse signals in both the frequency and time domains.

For production applications, the R&S FSL18 is a cost-efficient solution with a wide range of functions. Its measurement speed of 80 sweeps/s in the zero span (including all data transfers) ensures high throughput. The frequency list mode allows engineers and technicians to perform measurements with up to 300 analyzer settings using a single remote-control command. Moreover, the spectrum analyzer features power measurements with channel filters in the time domain and a fast frequency counter with a resolution of 0.1 Hz at a measurement time of less than 50 ms.

The R&S FSL18 is now available from Rohde & Schwarz.

Rohde & Schwarz becomes member of LTE industry initiative LSTI

Mobile World Congress, Barcelona 2008 — Rohde & Schwarz, a manufacturer of test and measurement instruments, has joined the LTE/SAE Trial Initiative (LSTI). Leading telecommunications providers and network operators have banded together to promote the further development of broadband mobile radio networks that are based on UMTS Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology.

By becoming a member, Rohde & Schwarz will contribute to the acceleration in interoperability testing (IOT) and the initial field tests. This, in turn, will shorten time-to-market for base stations and wireless devices of the next generation.

One objective of LSTI is to ensure the interoperability of wireless networks and wireless devices from different manufacturers. Rohde & Schwarz will benefit the industry organization by providing its comprehensive expertise in T&M equipment for 2G, 3G, and LTE technologies. The company will thus support the manufacturers and operators with, for example, suitable IOT test scenarios for LTE network simulation. Moreover, the T&M expert will share know-how gained through its active participation in the 3GPP standardization working groups.

“Our inclusion in the LTE/SAE Trial Initiative represents a clear signal for us. From the very start, Rohde & Schwarz has fully embraced the further development of LTE technology. The mutual exchange of knowledge with other members benefits the entire initiative, and thus plays a significant part in promoting the next generation of mobile radio”, says Roland Steffen, Head of the Test and Measurement Division at Rohde & Schwarz.

Existing and future test and measurement solutions for LTE and MIMO will help users to ensure the reliability of LTE chipsets, wireless devices, and base stations at an early stage of development, thus keeping time-to-market short. The comprehensive portfolio of Rohde & Schwarz products for all important mobile radio standards includes signal generators and signal analyzers, network simulators, protocol testers, coverage measurement systems, and test systems.

Agilent Debuts N5183A MXG Compact Microwave Analog Signal Generator

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE:A) today announced the availability of a compact microwave analog signal generator that delivers a low cost of ownership and is an extension to the popular Agilent MXG signal generator platform, providing frequency coverage to 20, 32 or 40 GHz. Featuring fast frequency switching speeds, high reliability and easy self-maintenance, this mid-performance signal generator provides manufacturing and R&D engineers working on broadband components and systems with the performance required to make a wide range of broadband measurements. It is especially well suited for EW, radar, military communications and broadband wireless access applications. The Agilent N5183A MXG is an economy class, continuous wave (CW) signal generator specifically designed to maximize uptime and reduce cost of ownership. Its less than or equal to 900-microsecond switching speed enables a dramatic increase in throughput. A simple design delivers easy self-maintenance that reduces downtime to one working day, making it possible for users to maintain or repair the instrument in-house. Not only does this capability maximize uptime, it also drives a lower cost of ownership.

Another key feature of the Agilent N5183A MXG is its outstanding performance — delivering a combination of high output power and excellent level accuracy. With +18 dBm to 20 GHz output power, it is able to overcome losses and drive high-power devices. Additionally, it features a level accuracy, with optional step attenuator, of ±0.6 to 0.8 dB. Other options to the Agilent N5183A MXG include analog modulation and pulse modulation — all housed in a compact 2U (3 inch high) package that better uses rack space.

“Fast switching speed and lower cost of ownership are key requirements for today’s broadband component manufacturing and R&D engineers,” said Andy Botka, vice president of Agilent’s Signal Sources Division. “With its available options and price/performance flexibility, the new Agilent N5183A MXG provides users with the capabilities they need to address these issues, while staying ahead of their competition.”

Agilent’s N5183A MXG offers a viable replacement to legacy HP/Agilent signal generators. It is programming compatible with the 8340, 8360 and 8370 Series signal generators as well as the ESG, PSG and 8662A/8663A solutions.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

Agilent’s new N5183A MXG microwave analog signal generator is now available. Pricing is as follows:

N5183A Opt 520
Agilent MXG microwave analog signal generator, 100 kHz to 20 GHz
$18,000

N5183A Opt 532
Agilent MXG microwave analog signal generator, 100 kHz to 32 GHz
$26,000

N5183A Opt 540
Agilent MXG microwave analog signal generator, 100 kHz to 40 GHz
$30,000

Keithley Receives Best in Test Award From Test & Measurement World Magazine

Keithley Instruments, Inc. (NYSE:KEI), a leader in solutions for emerging measurement needs, has received an Honorable Mention in Test & Measurement World magazine’s Best in Test Awards program for its 4X4 MIMO (multiple-input, multiple-output) RF Test System. The 2008 Best in Test Awards honor companies that introduced new products between November 1, 2006 and October 31, 2007 that brought significant technological advancement to the market in the test industry. Winners were selected from products nominated by vendors and were announced in the December/January issue of the magazine.

The 4X4 MIMO RF Test System helps designers of new wireless devices design and manufacture products that use the MIMO radio architecture, such as WLAN and WiMAX Wave 2. Keithley’s new system supports MIMO testing in a way that’s more advanced than any other system on the market. The 4X4 MIMO RF Test System consists of Keithley’s new Model 2920 Vector Signal Generator (VSG), Model 2820 Vector Signal Analyzer (VSA), Model 2895 MIMO Synchronization Unit, and powerful MIMO Signal Analysis Software.

The test system features a frequency range to 6GHz with an optional 20, 40, or 80MHz arbitrary waveform generator bandwidth with 100MSamples of waveform memory and 40MHz of receiver bandwidth, giving users the capability of testing a vast array of commercial communications signals, including the industry’s most demanding and complex signals. The Model 2895 MIMO Synchronization Unit provides highly synchronized signals to the system instruments, which gives the system a highly precise and stable alignment between up to four signal analyzers and generators. In addition, the Model 2820 and Model 2920 can be set up in 2-, 3-, or 4-channel configurations. These dual-purpose instruments can be used either as standalone instruments or as part of a 4X4 MIMO test system, so users don’t need to dedicate individual signal analyzer or signal generator units to a task.

Keithley’s 4X4 MIMO RF test systems are ideal for research and development engineers and scientists at mobile and wireless device design centers and research and development centers. Keithley’s 4X4 MIMO RF Test System is suited for R&D and production testing of next generation RF communications equipment and devices.

Keithley’s next-generation RF test instruments help designers and manufacturers meet the challenges of today’s wireless technologies as well as most future technologies. Keithley’s RF test instruments are built on a next-generation instrument platform that uses state-of-the-art RF and high-speed DSP (digital signal processor) technology to reduce the cost of test and shorten time to market. They provide the measurement accuracy needed to ensure high product quality and production yields, as well as high test speed and low equipment cost needed to reduce the cost of test.