MegiQ’s RF and microwave development tools are exclusive to Farnell

For the design and verification of wireless communication and IoT devices, MegiQ RF and microwave development tools are now exclusively available from Farnell.

The distributor has added the development tools to its test and measurement portfolio which includes the full MegiQ range of vector network analysers and antenna measurement systems.

MegiQ products are the most affordable professional RF development tools in the market, says Farnell, making them accessible to IoT start-ups and universities which want to fit out a teaching lab with multiple units. The measurement tools and accessories are suitable for most wireless systems and cover microwave frequencies up to 6GHz. MegiQ tools and accessories can be used for research, development, product verification and production testing with applications ranging from education and research to manufacturing, including semiconductor, automotive and telecomms equipment design.

The RF tools are designed by engineers for engineers, and are claimed to provide RF tools provide users with everything needed to design and verify wireless communication and IoT devices in an affordable package. The toolset is especially suited to the implementation of antenna and enables engineers to measure and optimise impedances and measure antenna radiation patterns, which can be a difficult, and often obscure, process, points out Farnell. All software required for use with MegiQ’s tools is included license-free and compatible for installation on any standard computer.

MegiQ’s full range of RF development tools now available from Farnell includes vector network analysers (VNAs), all with PC software to measure, store and produce graphic output. A built-in match circuit calculator and simulator for antenna circuit development is also included.

There is also a balanced calibration kit which is an interface kit for UFL and balanced VNA measurements containing SMA-UFL adapters and adapters ranging from SMA and UFL to balanced pin headers.

Also included are radiation measurement systems to measure the radiated energy from the ‘outside’ of the antenna. This measures the gain and the total radiated power (TRP) or antenna efficiency.

VNAs in the MegiQ range come with the option to add a bespoke VNA sandbox kit, suitable for students and first-time engineers. These include all necessary accessories and a step-by-step tutorial guide for first-time users to quickly learn how to use VNAs.

James McGregor, global head of Test & Tools at Farnell, said: “With the addition of MegiQ, we continue to ensure the engineering community is supported at every level, from beginners and educators looking for competitively priced, easy-to-use tools right through to experienced professionals seeking a simple solution to their RF and microwave test needs.”

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Nemo Handy update accelerates 5G verification

Handheld measurement software, Nemo Handy, has been upgraded by Keysight and now supports commercial off the shelf (COTS) smartphones to quickly verify 5G new radio (NR), quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) in the field.

According to the Global Mobile Suppliers Association, the number of announced 5G devices in the past twelve months has doubled, reaching over 440 in October 2020. As 5G grows, the industry demands access to commercial, non-rooted devices speeds testing across different end-user scenarios, network technology implementations and propagation environments.

Keysight’s new version of Nemo Handy handheld measurement software allows mobile operators and vendors to quickly verify QoE as experienced by users of different 5G devices as soon as these become commercially available on a market where delivery of superior 5G services is key to securing early revenue opportunities.

Keysight also offers the Nemo diagnostics module, an external hardware unit, which enables Nemo Handy software users to easily access non-rooted, 5G COTS smartphones. The module also offers extended measurement functionality, cost-effective voice quality testing across different 5G devices and support for up to two devices.

Nemo Handy software captures network quality measurements inside of buildings, where most mobile traffic is generated. The software can be set up simply, with no need for special firmware, when switching from one 5G COTS smartphone to another to initiate a new series of measurements, advises Keysight.

The chipset-agnostic software supports comparable measurements between devices built on various chipsets from different vendors. Images captured in the field are instantly uploaded as small log files. There is also optional remote management and quick analysis using Nemo Cloud.

The handheld drive test tool performs both outdoor and indoor measurements and offers real time measurement visualisation of radio frequency (RF), as well as data throughput, latency and signalling.

Nemo Handy runs on a rooted smartphone to allow users to troubleshoot a live 5G network with an active subscriber base. Users can also perform a wide range of measurements, including QoE of social media and over the top (OTT) applications, such as YouTube.

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Radar multi-target simulator expands Keysight’s automotive portfolio

Automotive engineers can access a radar target simulator and automotive Ethernet channel test software which have been added by Keysight Technologies.

The radar target simulator (RTS) saves engineers time and cost savings during development with a real world test environment in the lab, says Keysight. It performs multi-target, multi-angle testing for radar modules to deliver fast, accurate and reliable results, says the company. Design and verification engineers can quickly validate the performance of radar products, and it can be used by manufacturing and design validation engineers to simulate multiple objects at variable distances.

Automotive industry engineers, designers and manufacturers can develop high-performance products that improve safety and enable advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), both of which rely on sensitive and accurate automotive radar technology. The RTS can help automotive electronics manufacturers simulate radar targets in realistic scenarios, says Keysight.

Next-generation ADAS systems require camera and radar systems with high resolution, which require increased speed and bandwidth. Automotive Ethernet enables faster data communication to meet the demands of today’s vehicles and the connected vehicles of the future. However, the channel or link in a system can create a point of failure and the new software addresses this challenge. Keysight says its automotive Ethernet channel test software can verify that information is carried, without loss or cross talk, to its intended destination.

The automotive Ethernet channel test software includes a test plan that includes all required tests as per the specification and automatic set up of the network analyser for each measurement and it applies defined test limits. There is also detailed reporting for each test that has been run.

Keysight’s automotive Ethernet suite provides the hardware, software, cables and accessories needed to enable compliance testing. There is a new receiver testing software and an updated transmit compliance application which offers four data rates, including the preliminary version of Multi-Gig IEEE 802.3ch, in one application.

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Rohde & Schwarz upgrades FSW analyser to 8.3GHz bandwidth

Extending the internal analysis bandwidth of the Rohde & Schwarz FSW signal and spectrum analyser, Rohde & Schwarz has introduced the FSW-B8001 option, which enables the signal and spectrum analyser to support an industry leading 8.3GHz internal analysis bandwidth. According to Rohde & Schwarz it offers unequalled dynamic range and sensitivity.

The R&S FSW covers an input frequency range of up to 90GHz, and is claimed to provide an unmatched dynamic range and sensitivity, precision and EVM performance. The analyser, equipped with the extended analysis bandwidth option and dedicated measurement applications, can be used to meet current and future test and measurement requirements for wideband signal analysis across different industries. The FSW can include pulse measurements of aerospace and defence radar systems, satellite payload testing and amplifier pre-distortion tests. The instrument also covers chirp analysis for automotive radar and research on the next generation of wireless communication.

Wideband acquisition makes it possible to analyse frequency hops in detail while examining different radar systems operating at different frequencies, when developing and verifying both radar systems and radar jammer systems.

In wireless communications, increased bandwidths use higher data throughput. For example, says Rohde & Schwarz, the IEEE 802.11ay standard for Wi-Fi supports channel bonding, which leads to signals with bandwidths greater than 8GHz. Suitable wideband T&M equipment is also needed for Gbit communications sub-THz bands, such as D-Band and G-Band, which have been viewed as potential frequency ranges for a future 6G wireless communication standard.

Satellite systems’ bandwidths are expected to increase to 3.0 or 5.0GHz at frequencies up to 90GHz, for example for high throughput satellites designed to support Tbit connectivity.

The R&S FSW-B8001 internal analysis bandwidth option is now available from

Rohde & Schwarz supplies customers in the fields of test and measurement, broadcast and media, aerospace, defence, security and networks and cybersecurity with communications, information and security products.

The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and has subsidiaries in more than 70 countries, with regional hubs in Asia and America.

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