Vector Signal Generator Empowers Midrange 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Other Advanced RF Test

Feb. 11, 2021

According to Rohde & Schwarz, the SMM100A is the only VSG with mmWave testing capabilities in its class.

This article appeared in Evaluation Engineering and has been published here with permission.

Rohde & Schwarz claims its SMM100A is the only vector signal generator with mmWave testing capabilities in its class. The instrument meets the rigorous expectations for generating digital signals for the most advanced wireless communication devices entering production, as well as for developing future products and technologies. Manufacturers of state-of-the-art 5G devices wishing to test the whole frequency range possible, expect to do so with a single signal generator for both 5G NR FR1 and FR2 frequencies.

The R&S SMM100A vector signal generator displays excellent RF characteristics across the entire frequency range, from 100 kHz to 44 GHz. It covers all bands used by any wireless standards, including LTE and 5G NR, as well as the latest WLAN standards Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E (up to 7.125 GHz). Wireless personal area networks such as Bluetooth are covered, too. The instrument’s maximum RF modulation bandwidth of 1 GHz meets requirements to generate the broadband signals used by devices making full use of the most demanding wireless standard specifications, including IEEE 802.15.4z Ultra-Wideband (HRP-UWB).

The R&S SMM100A offers a maximum output power of +18 dBm, which reduces the need for external amplifiers. Excellent modulation frequency response, error vector magnitude (EVM), and adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) performance result in signal quality for reliable, repeatable test accuracy. The R&S SMM100A comes with six maximum frequency options from 6 to 44 GHz, and four modulation bandwidth options from 120 MHz to 1 GHz to meet all major device band requirements. Users can upgrade their instrument’s capabilities according to their need anytime by simply entering a key code.

Both real-time signal generation with an internal baseband generator for one-box signal generation with on-the-spot configuration of signal parameters, and an arbitrary waveform generator (ARB) for waveforms defined with the R&S WinIQSIM2 simulation software, are available. The R&S SMM100A features a large ARB memory depth of up to 2 Gsamples and a high maximum sampling rate of 1.2 Gsamples/s. For production use, the Multi-Segment Mode speeds up test sequences even more, with fast switching between individual baseband signals.

With the built-in SCPI macro recorder, users can create error-free remote-control programs quickly and easily. Moreover, MATLAB or Python scripts can be executed, which can not only be reused on an R&S SMM100A, but on most Rohde & Schwarz vector signal generators currently available. For further information, visit www.rohde-schwarz.com/product/smm100a.

Rohde & Schwarz, www.rohde-schwarz.com

About the Author

Alix Paultre | Editor-at-Large, Microwaves & RF

Alix is Editor-at-Large for Microwaves & RF.

An Army veteran, Alix Paultre was a signals intelligence soldier on the East/West German border in the early ‘80s, and eventually wound up helping launch and run a publication on consumer electronics for the U.S. military stationed in Europe. Alix first began in this industry in 1998 at Electronic Products magazine, and since then has worked for a variety of publications, most recently as Editor-in-Chief of Power Systems Design.

Alix currently lives in Wiesbaden, Germany.