Tutorials » RF Measurements » Introduction to Test and Measurement

Introduction to Test and Measurement

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wireless product
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equipment

This tutorial covers the basics of test and measurement, wireless products, parameters, leading test and measurement companies, equipment, and more.

Test and Measurement Basics

Test and measurement have become significantly more challenging as today’s wireless systems have grown increasingly complex compared to previous generations. This complexity stems from advancements in modulation techniques (16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM) and the introduction of multiple antenna techniques (MIMO) in wireless systems.

Furthermore, RF and baseband components are now often integrated onto a single chip. The landscape is also shaped by the continuous evolution of various wireless standards, including WLAN, Zigbee, WiMAX, and LTE, with ongoing developments in technologies like WLAN-11ac/11ad and LTE Advanced, all aimed at achieving higher data rates and extended coverage.

Several tools and applications have been developed by test and measurement companies worldwide, such as Agilent Technologies, Tektronix, and R&S, to address the needs of engineers working in these areas, primarily for testing and troubleshooting.

Test and Measurement of Wireless Products

Testing and measurement of wireless products today go beyond simply power and frequency. As mentioned earlier, validation of complex wireless devices now involves various measurements such as EVM (Error Vector Magnitude), CCDF (Complementary Cumulative Distribution Function), IQ constellation, channel frequency response, and spectral flatness.

RF signal generation

T & M Companies

Beyond Agilent, R&S, and Tektronix, numerous test and measurement companies provide a diverse range of tools, equipment, and application software. Several companies specialize in testing and pre-certification of various wireless products according to WiMAX, WLAN, Zigbee, and LTE standards.

T & M Equipments

Various equiments such as signal generators, signal analyzers, and wireless channel emulators are used for test and measurement. These tools are used for testing and measuring various standards-based products and devices: