Test & Measurement

To test the performance of millimeter-wave (mmWave) innovations in 5G, aerospace and defence and satellite communications, Keysight has developed the N9042B UXA X-series signal analyser which provides wide analysis bandwidth and deep dynamic range. It is designed to address difficult mmWave challenges including tight design margins and timelines, complex modulation and stringent standards.

“Understanding signal fidelity is critical to the performance of products in 5G, aerospace and defence, satellite and automotive radar markets,” observed Kiran Unni, vice president, industrial technologies practice, Frost & Sullivan.

“At mmWave frequencies, signals are more susceptible to impairments that affect the signal quality, such as IQ modulation errors, phase noise, distortion, signal-to-noise ratio, amplitude and phase linearity. For designers and manufacturers, addressing these challenges is crucial when characterising and testing the true performance of mmW products,” she added.

The N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser ensures designs meet the latest standards with ready-to-use measurement applications and signal analysis software. It has an unbanded, pre-selected sweep from 2.0Hz to 110GHz and up to 11GHz of analysis bandwidth. The analyser tests the true performance of a 5G new radio (NR) transmitter with an advanced error vector magnitude (EVM). It also finds out-of-band emissions or spurs quickly in radar designs with superior swept displayed average noise level (DANL). The analyser develops high-throughput satellite communication designs with 4.0GHz of corrected analysis bandwidth.

“With the increasing demand for data, higher frequency and bandwidth, Keysight’s signal analyser and generator solutions embody our deep expertise in mmW design and measurements, for the latest 5G wireless, radar, aerospace defence, satellite and communications research,” said Joe Rickert, vice president and general manager of high frequency measurement R&D for Keysight’s communications solutions group.

To ensure designs meet the latest standards with ready-to-use measurement applications for cellular communication, wireless connectivity, and aerospace/defence, the company integrated PathWave X-Series measurement applications with the UXA X-Series signal analyser. These applications simplify complex tasks and deliver repeatable results. The 89600 PathWave vector signal analysis software comprises tools for demodulation and vector signal analysis. It offers support for over 75 signal standards and modulation types. It also enables customers to explore every facet of a signal and optimise their most advanced designs, added Keysight.

Testing 5G components and devices per the 3GPP 5G New Radio (5G NR) standard Releases 15 and 16 requires higher accuracy, sensitivity, and bandwidth capability in an analyser. To meet these parameters, the N9042B signal analyser tests the true performance of transmitter designs with error vector magnitude (EVM) and 5G NR signal analysis software which perform transmitter downlink and uplink measurements with one-button simplicity.

For satellite communication systems, customers need to characterise amplifiers and components at bandwidths wider than the target application. The N9042B UXA X-Series signal analyser provides a wide analysis bandwidth and unbanded, pre-selected frequency range to characterise the performance of satellite designs.

It also enables high levels of measurement accuracy with the Keysight V3050A signal analyzer frequency extender which is claimed to deliver unmatched measurement accuracy of wideband signals at very high frequencies. It provides sensitivity, unbanded and pre-selected frequency coverage up to 110GHz, high dynamic range and a seamless interface to the N9042B UXA signal analyser.

Keysight’s RCal receiver calibrator corrects system path losses and frequency responses up to 5.0GHz IF bandwidth without the need for an external vector network analyser, cabling and manual test-plane characterisation. The palm-sized RCal seamlessly transfers precision factory calibration data to the X-Series signal analyser over a USB connection.

A companion VXG microwave signal generator offers high output power with low phase noise and wide bandwidth for demanding wireless, as well as aerospace and defence applications. The VXG’s dual-channel architecture, quickly switches from blocker and interferer tests to dual channel MIMO and beam forming tests.

http://www.keysight.com

Conformance tests are vital for mobile communications technology as mobile network operators worldwide rely on conformance to the Global Certification Forum (GCF) before accepting mobile devices in their networks. Rohde & Schwarz has announced that the GCF has approved the first two radio resource management (RRM) conformance test cases for 5G FR2 frequencies, implemented on the R&S TS-RRM-NR 5G RRM conformance test system.

The test cases have been validated in seven FR2 and LTE band combinations.
The availability of validated RRM conformance tests in both FR1 and FR2 frequency bands is crucial for a successful rollout of 5G NR technology worldwide.

The GCF has officially accepted the R&S TS-RRM-NR as suitable for the 5G RRM FR2 requirements described in the 3GPP specifications. The GCF validation process requires ‘pass’ verdicts of the complete test case performed on two different end user devices. The updated version of the R&S TS-RRM family of RRM conformance test systems has accomplished this for FR2. RRM testing is a combination of several protocol and RF test methods. It is used to determine the reaction time of a mobile phone to changes in signal quality from the available sources, and the time it takes for the device to switch between different signal sources.

The new R&S CMX500 radio communication tester has added 5G NR signaling functions for both FR1 and FR2 to the updated R&S TS-RRM-NR, which now covers LTE, WCDMA, and 5G technologies. The integrated test system is operated by the sequencer software R&S CONTEST and offers high efficiency and precise, reproducible measurement results.

The 5G RRM test cases are also supported by the R&S TS8980, the integrated RF conformance test system supporting mobile technologies all the way from 2G to 5G including FR2.

Rohde & Schwarz has supplied conformance and operator acceptance testing throughout mobile radio from 2G through to LTE.

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com

Yokogawa has launched a current sensor element and upgraded the firmware for its WT5000 precision power analyser. The enhancements are designed to help companies improve performance when developing or evaluating electronic devices such as electric vehicle (EV) related equipment or systems for solar and wind power installations.

The new current sensor element runs off the WT5000’s internal DC power supply, so there is no need for external power supplies. This makes set up for measurements easier as only the current sensor and a connecting cable are required.

Three sensor connection cable lengths are available: 3m, 5m and 10m. This helps take account of varying test bench layouts where the power analyser may not be located right next to the device under test. The three different cable lengths allow users to select the one most suitable for their set up while keeping the leads as short as possible.

The new current sensor element also improves noise immunity with a low noise power supply and measurement circuit. Previously, reducing the signal to noise ratio required external shunt resistors. In the new modules, shunt resistors are built-in and are included in the shielding in the instrument, increasing noise immunity.

Current signals can be measured with a higher degree of precision, even if they are small, when using the current sensor element and dedicated cable, says Yokogawa. A step-by-step navigation menu simplifies the configuration and use of the current sensors.

Firmware has also been upgraded, with the data streaming function now supporting a 50ms to one second update rate. On the previous version, when using the data streaming function, the WT5000 only offered an update rate with a measurement interval of one second. This meant that all electrical parameters, such as power and Urms and Irms, were calculated over a period of one second. With the new upgrade, the WT5000 calculates all parameters over measurement periods of up to 50 ms, giving a better insight into the dynamic behaviour of the device under test. The upgraded firmware now also offers a 10 ms update rate.

Other upgrades include improvements to the menu such as current phase correction and amplitude correction, which makes setting up external sensors easier by compensating for the phase and gain error.

http://tmi.yokogawa.com/eu