Rohde & Schwarz presents new wideband modulated load pull resolution primarily based on the R&S RTP oscilloscope

Rohde & Schwarz launches its novel wideband modulated load pull resolution. Based mostly on the R&S RTP oscilloscope, this resolution affords an extension to conventional vector community analyzer (VNA)-based options for non-linear gadget characterization. By enabling load pull with wideband modulated alerts, it permits exact validation of key efficiency indicators throughout various impedances, comparable to error vector magnitude (EVM) and adjoining channel leakage ratio (ACLR), to assist the event of RF elements for next-generation wi-fi applied sciences.

The brand new wideband modulated load pull resolution from Rohde & Schwarz takes a novel strategy to RF frontend testing. Through the use of the R&S RTP oscilloscope as a substitute of a standard vector community analyzer (VNA), this resolution allows wideband modulation characterization of RF frontends throughout various impedances.

A standard modulated load pull resolution validates modulation traits underneath totally different impedances with a check setup consisting of a vector sign generator and vector sign analyzer. A passive tuner is used to simulate totally different load situations. This methodology, though broadly used, has a number of key limitations: there’s a important frequency response and group delay of the tuner in amplitude and part resulting in measurement uncertainties. Whereas these could also be ignored for narrowband functions, they grow to be important for increased sign bandwidths, sometimes round 100 MHz and above.

Progressive oscilloscope-based strategy

The Rohde & Schwarz wideband modulated load pull resolution addresses these limitations with a brand new check setup that’s ultimate for verifying energy amplifier efficiency when related to an antenna, which generally reveals a dispersive impedance. This resolution relies on the R&S RTP084 oscilloscope, geared up with the wideband modulated load-pull choice R&S RTP-K98, and paired with the R&S SMW200A vector sign generator. The oscilloscope’s inside structure ensures absolute part and time synchronization for ahead and reverse wave measurements. The twin path vector sign generator R&S SMW200A affords correct timing and part stability between the enter and tuning sign for load pull operation. The R&S RTP-K98 software program processes the oscilloscope’s measured information, performs the required calculations to realize the goal impedance worth and controls the sign generator. Therefore, it’s well-suited to confirm the efficiency of RF frontends, that are sometimes used over wider frequency ranges and a number of transmission bands, comparable to 5G or Wi-Fi.

The R&S RTP oscilloscope combines high-class sign integrity with quick acquisition and evaluation. Devoted acquisition and processing ASICs allow excessive acquisition and processing fee for 750,000 waveforms/s. The distinctive 3 Gpoints per channel permit for lengthy acquisition intervals, and the high-precision digital set off operates with a hardware-based clock information restoration (CDR) on embedded clock alerts at an industry-leading fee of 16 Gbps.

Markus Lörner, Market Section Supervisor RF & Microwave Elements at Rohde & Schwarz, says: “Our progressive strategy for wideband modulated load pull makes use of normal check devices available in lots of labs, straight addressing the rising want for verifying wideband RF frontends throughout various impedances, as skilled in wideband antenna utilization. The incorporation of the oscilloscope as the important thing instrument is a game-changer, providing speedy wideband sign seize, which is totally very important on this utility.”

The brand new wideband modulated load pull resolution is obtainable now from Rohde & Schwarz. Extra info on load pull testing from Rohde & Schwarz.