Leading players in microwave, radio frequency, wireless, and radar assemble in the city of light for the European Microwave Week (EuMW). In Paris, industry-leading T&M expert Rohde & Schwarz will showcase a dazzling spectrum of products and solutions that push the boundaries in the Gigahertz to Terahertz frequency range for a variety of application domains.
At this year’s European Microwave Week (EuMW) in Paris, Rohde & Schwarz will exhibit its most recent RF and microwave portfolio and solutions under the theme “From Gigahertz to Terahertz.”
Visitors can learn more about the company’s excellent applications at booth 401L during the exhibition, which is being held from September 24 to 26, 2024, in the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles venue.
These applications address critical test challenges that RF engineers are currently facing in the automotive, aerospace, and defense industries, as well as in component design and next-generation wireless.
Highlights of Rohde & Schwarz Will Include:
- EVM measurements and wideband modulated load pull analysis for RF frontends. A system for 6G wireless data transmission based on photonics will address state-of-the-art research for next generation wireless technologies.
- And disruptive innovations in automotive radar production and testing as well as industry leading-solutions for 5G NTN satellite testing will round out the company’s display at the EuMW 2024.
Wide Spectrum of RF and Microwave Component Testing
Power amplifiers are examples of active components that are essential to any RF frontend design. Complex modulation schemes are becoming more and more important in wireless connectivity applications as data rates rise.
To guarantee the stability and robustness of various modulation methods, a low error vector magnitude (EVM) is essential at both the component and system levels.
In the context of RF frontend design, EVM measurements provide a difficult problem because of the power amplifiers’ unparalleled performance levels.
At the EuMW, Rohde & Schwarz will showcase their upgraded R&S SMW200A vector signal generator, which is perfect for power amplifier testing thanks to its unmatched flexibility and improved performance to fulfill even the most stringent EVM standards.
The signal generator’s new linearize RF route software option allows for improved EVM/ACLR at high output power through optimization based on digital pre-distortion. The premium instrument is a perfect complement for the R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyzer, which leads the industry.
On the analytical side, however, the setup at the EuMW makes use of the potent R&S FSVA3000, together with its special IQ noise cancellation software function, which enables exceptional EVM measuring performance through a noise corrected measurement path.
In RF frontend design, power amplifier efficiency is crucial in addition to EVM. For wireless transmissions in the intended application, the RF frontend drives signals into an antenna. The nominal impedance of these antennas is intended to be 50 ohms. However, the real impedance might frequently vary greatly from 50 Ohms due to its broad frequency range. The RF frontend’s performance is heavily influenced by the impedance it encounters, however the impact on its efficiency and performance is unexpected.
Verifying the performance across a range of impedance variations is therefore essential. Wideband modulated load pull analysis is an essential technique for evaluating nonlinear devices in order to guarantee the power amplifier’s target requirements, such as minimal power consumption or optimal modulation performance.
Rohde & Schwarz will showcase a novel configuration for wideband modulated load pull at the EuMW, utilizing the R&S RTP164 oscilloscope in conjunction with the R&S SMW200A vector signal generator. With this configuration, RF engineers may confirm KPIs like gain, EVM, and ACLR across a range of impedance situations as well as the system level performance of the RF frontend with various impedances.
Rohde & Schwarz presents for the first time the PVT360A performance vector tester with a new high-power option for high-throughput RF component testing. The single-box tester is perfect for characterization and production situations because it combines two independent vector signal generators and vector signal analyzers into one instrument and offers exceptional measurement speed.
With a maximum output power of 20 dBm RMS, the new option is well-suited for applications requiring high input power to the DUT or anticipating significant losses. For extra possible frequency bands for the lower parts of 5G NR FR3 (7.125 GHz to 24.25 GHz), it now spans a range up to 8.5 GHz. At the EuMW, visitors can get a first glimpse of the upgraded instrument version, which will be available soon.
The Rohde & Schwarz booth will also discuss measuring jitter for clocks in high-speed digital designs. The constraints on total system jitter get tighter as data rates rise, particularly for the different clock tree components. The best tools for confirming the jitter performance of clocks are phase noise analyzers.
At the EuMW, Rohde & Schwarz will showcase the finest phase noise analyzer available on the market, the R&S FSWP, which boasts the highest sensitivity. Even at frequencies exceeding 50 GHz, which are required for ultra-fast LAN IEEE 802.3dj (53 GHz) or common electrical interface OIF CEI-224G (56 GHz), it is perfect for extremely low phase noise and jitter measurements. Cross-correlation analysis at frequencies above 50 GHz is demonstrated at EuMW, yielding the most accurate findings.
Intermodulation (IM) measurements for 6G D band components will be covered in another demo. In addition to testing the S-parameters, developers must also test the active device’s intermodulation when characterizing components for the 6G communications systems of the future. A two-tone output signal for IM testing up to 170 GHz can be immediately provided by a compact measuring setup using the R&S ZNA67 vector network analyzer and the R&S ZCDS170 dual source converters.
Next generation wireless technologies
The 6G era is already open and will allow for new application scenarios in everyday life, industry, and medical technologies. New specifications for latency and data transmission speeds will result from this.
The realization of the full potential of the metaverse and extended reality (XR) applications will require this frequency band, even though sub-THz frequencies up to 300 GHz for communication within 6G networks may be implemented at a later time. The development of THz transmission sources that provide excellent signal quality and span the greatest frequency range is crucial for the transition to 6G.
This could be accomplished in the future by fusing electronics and optical technology. These THz components may find uses in sensing and imaging in addition to communications and data transmission.
Rohde & Schwarz will demonstrate its proof-of-concept for an ultra-stable tunable THz system based on photonics for 6G wireless data transmission at the EuMW. It was created as part of the 6G-ADLANTIK project, which is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). It makes it possible to produce THz signals photonically using frequency comb technology.
Using a photomixing process, a photodiode effectively transforms an optical beat signal produced by lasers operating at marginally different optical frequencies into an electrical signal in this method.
A THz wave is produced by the antenna structure encircling the photomixer and translating the fluctuating photocurrent. The resultant signals are easily tunable over a broad frequency range and can be modulated and demodulated for 6G wireless communications. The system that is being demonstrated can also be expanded to use coherently received THz signals for component characterization.
The project’s scope of work also includes the design and simulation of a THz waveguide architecture and the creation of ultra-low phase noise photonic reference oscillators.
A system for wideband signal production and analysis in the H band, utilizing the new R&S FC330ST/SR frequency converters in conjunction with the new R&S SFI100A wideband IF vector signal generator, will be another feature of the Rohde & Schwarz booth.
The frequency converters are intended to up- and down-convert intermediate frequency (IF) signals to and from the RF frequency range of 220 to 330 GHz, also referred to as the H band. The signal generator produces signals with an RF modulation bandwidth of up to 10 GHz. Precise measurements are guaranteed by their high-performance balanced mixer with little conversion loss. To provide outstanding signal performance and sensitivity, an extra inbuilt IF amplifier is incorporated.
The system enables the transmission and reception of ultra-wide bandwidth signals with an IF range of up to 35 GHz. The demo setup uses an R&S RTP oscilloscope to receive the down-converted IF signals. The instrument’s flexible R&S VSE signal analysis software allows for direct examination of baseband signals. The H band is becoming more significant for a number of uses, including improved imaging for security and medical purposes, radar technology, and 6G research.
Next level automotive radar production testing
Test solutions for next-generation radar must provide unparalleled precision, efficiency, and dependability since it is essential to the development of ADAS and autonomous driving. In order to accelerate this progress, Rohde & Schwarz will introduce two revolutionary breakthroughs in automotive radar production testing to the EuMW, providing a previously unheard-of price-performance point for the industry.
From lab-based functional testing to vehicle-level production inspections, the R&S RadEsT (Radar Essential Tester) automotive radar target simulator proves to be an incredibly small and adaptable instrument that can fulfill a variety of car manufacturer testing requirements.
It provides new avenues for accurate, dependable, and dynamic radar testing with its remarkable feature set and outstanding pricing. From system inspections and debugging of radar module reference designs to software verification and functional tests on the radar module, the Radar Essential Tester covers a broad range of use cases.
It offers sophisticated testing capabilities for radar alignment and calibration as well as functional check during production, going beyond the constrained functionality of passive reflective components that have traditionally been employed, making it a perfect fit for OEM end-of-line testing. Moreover, the R&S RadEsT is equipped to test autonomous driving (AD) and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
In addition, Rohde & Schwarz also introduces new “mini”, “golden”, “pro” and “golden-pro” versions of its automotive world’s leading radar echo generator R&S AREG800A.
The resulting new R&S AREG-P target generator helps Tier1 automotive radar manufacturers to increase throughput, reduce costs and reduce end-of-line test time. EuMW visitors can learn how the solution creates the perfect environment for the radar sensor’s seamless transition from R&D to production, optimizing OPEX, CAPEX and time to market.
Cutting-edge solutions for aerospace and defense
Testing is essential to guarantee the reliability and effectiveness of communications systems based on 5G non-terrestrial networks (NTN) and LEO constellations.
In order to do this, dynamic fading test scenarios that replicate actual LEO and MEO satellite trajectories at the EuMW will be presented by Rohde & Schwarz for LEO satellites and terminals.
The R&S SMW200A vector signal generator can now simulate high-speed satellite movement with Doppler changes of up to 1.9 MHz thanks to a software upgrade. Fading profiles are simple to create and upload thanks to new, intuitive software.
When combined with the instrument’s 67 GHz frequency range, it creates new opportunities for the development of very high-frequency satellite communications.
The identical configuration also shows how Ka-band power amplifiers are tested during development and verification. To achieve consistent test results for this application, multi-carrier CW signals up to 2 GHz bandwidth must be generated.
Furthermore, producing realistic test signals like bespoke OFDM and DVB-S2/S2X/RCS2 enables the power amplifier to be analyzed in real-world satellite circumstances. For examining the properties of these devices, the R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyzer with amplifier measurement application is perfect.
It offers information on a number of parameters, including Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio (ACLR), AM/AM and AM/PM distortion, group delay, and Error Vector Magnitude (EVM), which are critical for assessing the performance and reliability of communication equipment.
mmWave imaging technology with ISAR processing
For a variety of applications, Rohde & Schwarz is still developing its millimeter wave imaging technology. The company’s imaging capabilities, which use hundreds of receive and transmit antennas to quickly evaluate materials in a new context, will be on display at EuMW.
With real-time analysis, the solution is perfect for identifying quality problems with packaged goods, such as leaks, missing or inaccurate items, and undesired particles inside the container.
In the logistics, food, and pharmaceutical industries, this in-line quality inspection technology complements existing non-destructive testing techniques including cameras, X-rays, and scales. It operates using non-ionizing radiation.
Live inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) processing is used by the new R&S IMAGER, which was unveiled in Paris. This technology reveals nuances and flaws that are difficult to find using other testing techniques.
Service and calibration in great hands
Cutting edge technology should be handled by professionals. The Rohde & Schwarz support network is global in scope and extends across several time zones.
Additionally, Rohde & Schwarz will highlight its extensive service portfolio at the EuMW.
Visitors can discover more about the R&S Technology Academy’s training programs and industry insights, authorized calibration services, direct repair services from Rohde & Schwarz, a 24/7 helpline, and on-site assistance.
Rohde & Schwarz at European Microwave Week (EuMW)
Rohde & Schwarz will be exhibiting at booth 401L in Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from September 24 to 26, 2024. In addition, experts from the company will contribute with presentations and workshops to the program of the European Microwave Conference (EuMC), the European Microwave Integrated Circuits Conference (EuMIC), as well as the Defense, Security and Space Forum.
Information on the company’s demonstrations, including the possibility to register for free exhibition tickets, is also available at: click here
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