These basic RF measurements often uncover system problems in wired and wireless communications. If you observe a signal traveling from a source to a load through a passive system of some sort, you will notice that the signal attenuates by the time it reaches the load, and you will also notice that some of the […]
Analyzer
What is a Smith chart and why do I need one? (Part 2)
Take a journey around a Smith chart to find capacitance and inductance values in a matching network. Before computers became ubiquitous, the Smith chart simplified calculations involving the complex impedances found in RF/microwave circuits such as the one shown in Figure 1. That circuit includes a source with impedance Zs, transmission line with characteristic impedance […]
What is a Smith chart and why do I need one? (Part 1)
A Smith chart provides insight into RF/microwave designs. Even if you work primarily with low-speed analog and mixed-signal designs, you could benefit from familiarity with the Smith chart as wireless products proliferate and as high-speed-serial data signals exhibit microwave-like effects. When a signal’s wavelength (λ) approaches the lengths of the conductors carrying it, you can […]
Margin tester checks out PCIe Gen 3, Gen 4 designs
The new TMT4 Margin Tester breaks conventions of PCIe testing, delivering fast test times. Plug-and-play set up and easy-to-use interface combine to deliver in minutes results that, until now, required hours or even days of set up and testing, often stretching costs to seven figures. “TMT4 Margin Tester is the latest example of how Tektronix […]
High-speed digitizer cards perform on-board summation averaging
A new firmware option has been created by Spectrum Instrumentation that allows the company’s high-speed M5i.33xx series of PCIe high-speed digitizers cards to perform on-board summation averaging. Averaging is a useful tool for reducing unwanted signal noise, while at the same time improving measurement resolution, dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The new option enables […]
BERT supports PCI Express 6.0 base specification receiver test
The Signal Quality Analyzer-R MP1900A now supports the PCI Express 6.0 (PCIe 6.0) Base Specification Receiver Test (Rx Test) and has been further enhanced with an SKP function to filter SKP packets to support separate clock architecture (SRNS). As a result, one MP1900A supports PCIe 3.0 to PCIe 6.0 and can calibrate stressed test signals […]
BERT Ethernet test gear handles 224 Gbps signals
New 224G Ethernet test solutions enable system-on-a-chip (SoC) makers to validate next generation electrical interface technology, accelerating 1.6 terabit per second (1.6T) transceiver design and pathfinding. 5G, artificial intelligence (AI) and internet of things (IoT) applications are driving growth in data traffic, creating unprecedented bandwidth demands in networks and data centers. High-speed digital interfaces that […]
Single-sweep VNA-spectrum analyzer spans 70 kHz to 220 GHz
The VectorStar vector network analyzer (VNA) family now inclues the world’s first single sweep VNA-spectrum analyzer solution that supports 70 kHz to 220 GHz. With the spectrum analyzer option installed, VectorStar can conduct single connection VNA and spectrum-based measurements to create a more efficient and accurate testing environment to verify active and passive devices during […]
PCI Express 5.0 interposer works with protocol analyzers
A PCI Express 5.0 Mini Cool Edge IO (MCIO) interposer works in combination with Teledyne LeCroy’s Summit family of PCI Express 5.0 protocol analyzers. The new interposer enables engineers to test products that incorporate card edge connectors or cabled connector assemblies that utilize the MCIO mechanical connector with PCIe 5.0, NVM Express (NVMe) or Compute […]
Vector signal analysis software delivers post processing measurements, analysis of IQ data files
The IQ Signal Master MX280005A Vector Signal Analysis software delivers expanded post processing measurements and analysis of IQ data files captured on Anritsu Field Master Pro MS2090A, Remote Spectrum Monitor MS27201A, and Remote Spectrum Monitor MS2710xA spectrum analyzers. Designed for challenging field environments, the software assists government regulators inspect the RF spectrum, security agencies track […]
