Radio Metrology Series: Vector Signal Generator Measurement Test Solutions

The term "measurement" became a professional term in China in 1953, replacing the ancient "weights and measures". According to the "International Basic Terms of Metrology" jointly formulated by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), metrology is defined as a science related to measurement, which is a science that ensures the unification of measurement units and the accuracy and reliability of measurement values.

Radio metrology, as an important field of metrology, has developed rapidly in the past. Radio metrology testing has been recognized as a subject closely related to various industries and is receiving more and more attention. In particular, microwave and millimeter wave measurement, real-time online measurement, on-site measurement, comprehensive parameter measurement, various digital modulations, and complex modulation metrology testing have become new topics in modern metrology testing.

In response to various measurement and testing needs in the radio field, Rohde & Schwarz provides comprehensive measurement and testing solutions, covering network analyzers and power meters, microwave signal sources, vector signal sources, spectrum analyzers, phase noise analyzers, component measurement and testing, EMC testing and antenna testing. The complete measurement and testing solutions include many advanced measurement and testing products, such as: high-precision vector network analyzers up to 500 GHz, phase noise analyzers for one-button measurement of pulse phase noise and residual phase noise, vector signal sources with a modulation bandwidth of up to 2 GHz and single spectrum analyzers with a frequency of up to 85 GHz, power meters using intelligent sensor technology, etc.

We will launch a series of radio metrology solutions in succession. This time we will introduce you to the vector signal generator metrology test solution.

Measurement standards

Device introduction: The calibration device consists of a spectrum analyzer, a vector signal analyzer, a power meter, a microwave frequency meter, a measuring receiver, an attenuator, etc. It calibrates multiple parameters of the vector signal generator, including frequency, tuning level, EVM, harmonic distortion, amplitude error, phase error, RHO, etc.

Main purpose: The calibration device can calibrate various vector signal generators

Technical indicators:

• Frequency range: 10 MHz ~ 40 GHz

• Power: 0 dBm ~ +30 dBm

• EVM: 0 ~ 20% symbol rate 1 kHz ~ 50 MHz

• ACPR: 0 dBc ~ -80 dBc

Standard code:

• JJG173-2003 Signal Generator Verification Procedure

• JJF1174-2007 Digital Signal Generator Calibration Specification

R&S Solution

Typical instrument: R&S FSW high-performance spectrum analyzer

index:

• Frequency range: 2 Hz to 8 GHz/13.6 GHz/26.5 GHz/50 GHz/67 GHz/85 GHz

• EVM with QPSK: 0.5% (symbol rate ≤ 1MHz); 1.0% (symbol rate ≤ 10 MHz)

• SSB Phase Noise: <-137 dBc (1 GHz; @10 kHz; 1 Hz BW)

• Signal analysis bandwidth: 2 GHz

• Real-time analysis bandwidth: 512 MHz

• DANL: 2 GHz, -156 dBm (1 Hz) (typ.)

  20 GHz, -150 dBm (1 Hz) (typ.)

  80 GHz, -126 dBm (1 Hz) (typ.)

main feature:

• Unmatched Phase Noise

• Excellent dynamic range for spurious signal measurements

• Supports all important digital standards:

  LTE, LTE-Advanced, 3GPP FDD/HSPA/HSPA+, GSM/EDGE/EDGE Evolution, TD-SCDMA, CDMA2000/1xEV-DO, WLAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac

• Very high level measurement accuracy

• Very high signal sensitivity

R&S Solution

Typical instrument: R&S NRP-Z5x thermal power meter

index:

• RF and microwave measurement range: DC ~ 18 GHz/33 GHz/40 GHz/44 GHz/50 GHz/67 GHz/110 GHz

• Level measurement range: +20 dBm ~ -35 dBm

• Linearity: <0.007 dB (DC to 67 GHz)

  <0.010 dB (67 GHz ~ 110 GHz)

• VSWR: 1.35 @ 67 GHz

main feature:

• The world's first coaxial power head covering the frequency range from DC to 110 GHz

• The world's first millimeter-wave and terahertz power head traceable to NMI, with high absolute power level measurement accuracy

• The joint uses a spherical bearing inside, which prolongs the service life and has a very high connection repeatability.

• Extremely high measurement speed and measurement linearity

• Flexible to use, can be used with R&S FSMR, R&S FSW, R&S FSWP, R&S ZVA and other instruments

Typical instrument: R &S NRPxxS(N) three-path diode power meter

index:

• RF and microwave measurement range: 10 MHz ~ 8 GHz/18 GHz/33 GHz

• Level measurement range: 100 pW ~ 200 mW (–70 dBm ~ +23 dBm)

• VSWR: 1.33 @ 33 GHz

main feature:

• Best-in-class dynamic range of 93 dB, using three-path diode detection for simultaneous measurement

• Top accuracy

• Extremely high measurement speed and measurement linearity

• Flexible to use, can be used with R&S FSMR, R&S FSW, R&S FSWP, R&S ZVA and other instruments

• With LAN function, can be accessed through network client