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RF Transceiver Measurements and Testing

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This page describes how to test an RF Transceiver, covering measurements like gain, 1dB compression point, spurious emissions, harmonics, S parameters, and more.

This information will help RF engineers test transceiver specifications against compliance requirements using equipment such as spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and power meters. An RF Transceiver is a device that combines both a transmitter and a receiver.

An RF Transmitter carries modulated information (voice, data, image, video) over a specific RF frequency to a distant end.

An RF Receiver demodulates the information from the received RF signal and feeds it to the demodulator.

RF transceiver position

Figure: Location of RF Transceiver in a wireless communication system.

As shown in the figure, the transmitter is interfaced between the modulator and the power amplifier (PA). It’s often referred to as an up-converter. The receiver is interfaced between the LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) and the demodulator, and is known as a down-converter.

The following table outlines useful RF transceiver measurements for C band applications. The specifications are categorized into RF up-converter and RF down-converter sections. The following sections describe how to test the RF Transceiver measurements detailed below.

RF Up converter SpecificationsTypical value
Output frequency Range5.925 to 6.425 GHz
IF input frequency Range52 to 88 MHz
RF Output0 dBm
1dB compression point+3 dBm
Conversion Gain20dB (min.)
Gain Flatness+/- 1 dB over +/-18 MHz
Gain VariationWithin +/- 1 dB over 0 to 50 DegreeC
Gain adjustment5dB
Spurious and harmonics outputBetter than -40dBc over +/-18 MHz
Gain Flatness+/- 1 dB over +/-18 MHz
Frequency Stability+/- 1*10 -6 over temp. 0 to 50 DegreeC
Long Term Frequency Stability+/- 1*10 -7 per day
RF Down converter SpecificationsTypical value
RF Input frequency Range3.7 to 4.2 GHz
RF Output frequency Range52 to 88 MHz
Conversion Gain40 dB
Input level-40 dBm to -85 dBm
Gain Flatness+/- 1dB over +/- 18MHz
Gain Variation+/- 1dB over 0 to 50 DegreeC
Gain Adjustment5dB
Noise FigureBetter than 14 dB
Spurious OutputBetter than -40 dBc
Image rejection50 dB min.

RF Transceiver Test Procedure - How to test RF Transceiver

All the above measurements are carried out using a Spectrum Network Analyzer (SNA), or a combination of signal generator with a power meter/spectrum analyzer.