Wideband multi-channel debugging signal analysis tool to meet the complex testing requirements of new RF technologies

Complex RF testing places higher demands on test equipment

The continuous evolution of wireless communication systems has created a demand for advanced RF test equipment to meet the complex testing requirements of this new technology. These test equipment need to be able to handle higher frequencies, wider bandwidths, and more complex modulation schemes.

Beamforming : Use advanced beamforming techniques to improve signal strength and quality. Multi-channel testing should focus on testing the system’s beamforming capabilities, including beam steering, beam tracking, and beamforming algorithm performance.

 Massive MIMO: Massive MIMO technology involves the use of a large number of antennas to improve signal quality and capacity. Multi-channel testing should focus on testing the performance of massive MIMO systems, including antenna placement, channel modeling, and signal isolation.

Carrier aggregation: Use carrier aggregation to increase bandwidth and data rates. Multi-channel testing should focus on testing the system's carrier aggregation capabilities, including signal generation and analysis of multiple frequency bands.

Interference : Operating in various frequency bands, different bands are susceptible to interference from other wireless devices. Multi-channel testing should focus on testing the system's ability to mitigate interference and maintain signal quality in the presence of interference.

Modern RF testing analyzes multiple channels simultaneously

Modern communication system RF testing requires the use of multi-channel test equipment that can analyze multiple signals simultaneously, enabling engineers to test multiple channels and carriers in a single test setup. The latest multi-channel RF measurement test equipment is designed to meet these requirements and provide a range of advantages for RF testing:

Improved testing efficiency

Another benefit of multi-channel RF test equipment is improved test coverage . Modern communications networks use advanced beamforming and massive MIMO technologies to improve signal quality and capacity, which can create complex test scenarios. Multi-channel test equipment enables engineers to test these scenarios more thoroughly, improve test coverage, and ensure that the system operates as expected in real-world environments.

Multi -channel RF test equipment also provides greater flexibility for testing. With the ability to analyze multiple signals simultaneously, engineers can test a variety of scenarios and configurations, including different frequency bands, channel bandwidths, and modulation schemes. This flexibility is critical for testing a variety of use cases and deployment scenarios, ensuring that the system can meet the different requirements of different applications.

 Improved accuracy: Multi-channel devices analyze signals with precise timing and synchronization, which can improve measurement accuracy.

Simplified setup: Multichannel devices can simplify test setup by reducing the number of test instruments required.

These capabilities are critical for testing advanced features such as beamforming, massive MIMO, and carrier aggregation, and for ensuring that the system operates as expected in real-world environments.

Tektronix Multi-Channel Wideband Modulation Analysis Solution

Tektronix Portfolio Solutions is pleased to announce the release of SignalVu-PC version 5.0.0169, which now supports multi-channel analysis for 5 and 6 Series MSO instruments. When connected to a 5 or 6 Series MSO, multiple channels are supported simultaneously for general signal viewing (base software).

New Features

Support 8-channel RF input simultaneously

Independent channel control (center frequency, sweep range, resolution bandwidth, time gating)

Supports both frequency trigger and time trigger (using SignalVu-PC option CON)

Supports IQ or differential IQ (with SignalVu-PC Option CON) to directly measure baseband signals to understand the RF effects of modulators or demodulators

Tektronix MSO5B and 6B Series Oscilloscopes:

 It has up to 8 RF channels and a maximum bandwidth of 2GHz digital down conversion (DDC) function, and provides 12-bit hardware ADC resolution and excellent front-end to ensure an excellent hardware acquisition platform.

Based on this hardware test platform, Tektronix provides flexible and variable independent setting capabilities for each channel's center frequency, span, resolution bandwidth, and observation time window, and provides the SpectrumView function for cross-domain testing capabilities related to amplitude, frequency, phase, and time of RF vs Time.

In summary, the latest Tektronix multi-channel RF measurement test tool is a valuable tool for RF testing of modern communication and perception systems. It provides higher test efficiency, improved test coverage, higher flexibility, and advanced features and functions. These advantages are essential to ensure that the equipment meets the demanding requirements of the modern wireless industry.