The new R&S SMW200A high-end vector signal generator from Rohde & Schwarz combines a baseband generator, RF generator and MIMO fading simulator in a single instrument. The vector signal generator covers the frequency range from 100 kHz to 3 GHz or 6 GHz and features an I/Q modulation bandwidth of 160 MHz with internal baseband. Exceptional modulation and RF characteristics make it ideal for developing high-end components, modules and complete products for wideband communications systems such as LTE-Advanced and WLAN IEEE 802.11ac. The generator performs especially well when it comes to the verification of 3G and 4G base stations as well as aerospace and defense applications.
The R&S SMW200A can be equipped with an optional second RF path for frequencies up to 6 GHz and with a maximum of two baseband and four fading simulator modules, giving users two full-featured vector signal generators in a single unit. Fading scenarios such as 2×2 MIMO, 8×2 MIMO for TD-LTE and 2×2 MIMO for LTE-Advanced carrier aggregation can be simulated very easily. Until now, this has required complex setups consisting of multiple instruments.
More than two RF sources are required for applications such as 3×3 MIMO for WLAN or 4×4 MIMO for LTE-FDD. In addition to the two internal RF paths provided, highly compact R&S SGS100A signal generator modules can be connected as additional RF sources and remotely controlled by the R&S SMW200A. This solution takes up only five height units for 4×4 MIMO receiver tests and provides correctly encoded baseband signals, realtime channel simulation, AWGN generation and, if required, phase-locked coupling of multiple RF paths.
Options for every important digital communications standard are available from the start: LTE, LTE-Advanced, 3GPP FDD/HSPA/HSPA+, GSM/EDGE/EDGE Evolution, TD-SCDMA, CDMA2000®/1xEV-DO and WLAN IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. The standards run directly on the R&S SMW200A ? without having to connect an external PC, making it possible to vary signals or specific parameters quickly and easily. This simplifies troubleshooting on the DUT and also saves time. Because the R&S SMW200A is multichannel-compatible, developers can even create scenarios using different signals with minimal effort, for example, in order to test multistandard radio base stations.
The excellent signal quality of the R&S SMW200A ensures high accuracy in spectral and modulation measurements. The SSB phase noise is –139 dBc (typ.) at 1 GHz (20 kHz offset). In terms of modulation quality, the R&S SMW200A scores top marks with an EVM of –49 dB (meas.) for WLAN IEEE 802.11ac signals as well as a 0.05 dB (meas.) I/Q modulation frequency response over 160 MHz bandwidth. These characteristics help developers to be confident that their products are of outstanding quality.
The R&S SMW200A also comes with a cleverly devised operating concept. The new touchscreen allows users to control the instrument even more intuitively with the tried and tested Rohde & Schwarz block diagram as key operating element to visualize the signal flow. Help functions are provided to quickly achieve success. Presets are provided for all important digital standards and fading scenarios. LTE and UMTS test case wizards simplify complex base station conformance testing in line with the 3GPP specification.
Wolfgang Kernchen, Director of the Signal Generators, Audio Analyzers and Power Meters Subdivision at Rohde & Schwarz said, “We want our new flagship product to give customers an instrument that makes their work easier thanks to its outstanding performance and intelligent operating assistance features. At the same time, our unique, compact solution is highly scalable and future-ready. This gives developers the ideal framework to ensure their products comply with today’s sophisticated communications standards and those of the future, so that their products can be made ready for the market as quickly as possible.”
Watch the video for further information: http://www.rohde-schwarz.com/campaigns/en/smw/video.html.
