Multi-Tone: Testing, Theory and Practice

Multi tone signals are composed of multiply single sine waves or tones with a unique amplitude, phase and frequency. In the spectrum domain, the multi tone or RF energy will be present at a unique frequency. In the time domain, the multiply signals or tones will be a composite signal in which each of the tones will add or cancel to make a composite signal.

Multi-tone testing has many benefits. While the multi-tone methodology was initially implemented to increase the speed of immunity testing, it has been found that this method also improves equipment efficiency, offers greater flexibility to truly test the equipment (EUT) under real world threat conditions, and can be fully compliant to standards. Benefits can also include more efficient use of finite financial and human resources as well as faster time-to-market for new and enhanced products.