RF Test And Measurement Resource Center

TEST & MEASUREMENT APPLICATION NOTES AND WHITE PAPERS

DPX® Acquisition Technology For Spectrum Analyzers Fundamentals
Signal detection is the first step in characterizing, diagnosing, understanding, and resolving any problem that relates to time-variant signals. Engineers are requiring better tools to help find and interpret complex signal behaviors and interactions. The Tektronix Digital Phosphor technology, or DPX®, can be used in Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers (RSAs) to reveal signal details that are completely missed by conventional spectrum analyzers and vector signal analyzers. This white paper describes the methods behind the DPX Live RF spectrum display, swept DPX, Time-Domain DPX Displays, DPX Density™ measurements, DPX Density™ and Frequency Edge triggers.
Speeding Up Reflection Measurements On Antenna Systems
Reflection measurements are a common way of assessing antenna system performance. When a minimum amount of the transmitted signal is reflected, it indicates that the transmission energy can reach the intended coverage. Undesired high reflection causes the system to be inefficient and can damage components. This application note presents solutions for aiding fast and efficient reflection measurements on antenna systems to get it right the first time.
VSWR Conversion To Reflected Power
VSWR measures how efficiently RF power is transmitted through a load, with high VSWR indicating poor efficiency. Explore VSWR's relation to return loss, reflection coefficient, and mismatch loss.
Wi-Fi Performance In A House With Two Routers
Wireless InSite’s Communication System Analyzer provides capabilities for assessing the performance of LTE, WiMAX, 802.11n, and 802.11ac systems. This example investigates WiFi throughput coverage in a house provided by 802.11ac routers operating at 5 GHz using an 80 MHz bandwidth.
Directivity And VSWR Measurements: Understanding Return Loss Measurements
The characterization of microwave networks requires discriminating between forward and backward traveling waves. Unfortunately no directional device is perfect, leading to potentially dramatic measurement errors. In this note we show that return loss and VSWR measurements are greatly complicated by the finite performance of the directional device used to measure the reflected power.

More Test & Measurement Application Notes and White Papers

TEST & MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONS

1 – 6 GHz, 20 Watt Wideband Amplifier: MS010620

Microwave Systems offers the MS010620 multi-octave, high-power GaN amplifier designed to operate from 1 to 6 GHz. It is ideally suited for use in communications systems, radar systems, test instrumentation, broadband RF telemetry, point to point radio, and fiber optics applications.

Portable ELINT Data Collection Solution With Spectrum Awareness And Advanced Pulse Processing

D-TA Systems offers the MFEL 1000 portable ELINT data collection solution designed to provide automatic spectrum scanning for signal activity (pulse or CW), PDW extraction and de-interleaving to tracks where signal characterization is performed automatically. The system includes a built-in 6 TB (expandable to 18 TB) SSD data storage for I/Q data collection in both on-site and off-site analysis.

Instantaneous Frequency Measurement Unit: dB-9001

The dB-9001 from dB Control is a custom-mounted Instantaneous Frequency Measurement (IFM) unit designed to operate in the C, X, and Ku-band frequency range and provide highly accurate measurements at 100 ns to CW pulse width measurements.

FlightHawk Aviation RF Cable And Antenna Analyzer Kit: FH-AV-KIT

Bird offers the FH-AV-KIT, a FlightHawk™ RF Aviation Test Kit designed for avionics testing and measurement applications. This kit includes a proven antenna and cable testing functionality of the FlightHawk handheld analyzer, all necessary adapters and cabling, and Bird’s aviation testing software that allows anyone on the maintenance team to test and verify all antenna systems in a fleet.

20 – 5,000 MHz 1P8T RF Switch For Economical Automated RF Testing: 50S-2133 SMA

The 50S-2133 SMA from JFW is a solid-state, self-terminating 1P8T RF switch designed for economical automated RF testing applications in the 20 – 5,000 MHz frequency range.

Small Form Factor 8-Channel RF A/D & D/A Subsystem: Model 6350S

The Model 6350S is a small form factor 8-channel A/D & D/A subsystem designed for a variety of applications including high-bandwidth data streaming, waveform signal generators, multimode data acquisition, and other electronic warfare systems. Designed to be integrated into larger systems with minimal design effort, the 6350S delivers the performance and high-channel density of RFSoC in a small, convenient footprint.

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Testing Simulation

Electrostatic discharge testing is utilized worldwide by electronics manufacturers to determine the ESD susceptibility of their devices. It is extremely difficult to estimate the exact cost of ESD loss annually, but it can safely be stated that ESD requires the development and testing of many hardware prototypes and contributes to a high number of warranty claims and loss of consumer confidence if failure occurs in the hands of the customer. Given the high cost in time and materials associated with ESD hardware testing, the ability to simulate the ESD testing process in XFdtd is extremely valuable, allowing engineers to pinpoint locations susceptible to ESD damage and optimize ESD mitigation during the concept and design stage of product development.

Microwave And RF Test Assemblies: GORE® PHASEFLEX® Series

The GORE® PHASEFLEX® Series offers the smallest, lightest, internally ruggedized microwave/RF test assemblies for high density interconnection in RF and uW modular applications as well as in high speed digital testing. These assemblies feature ON cable construction and provide consistent, repeatable measurements with electrical performance up to 18, 26.5, 40, or 50 GHz.

More Test & Measurement Solutions