High measurement speeds are crucial for production testing of wireless communications components and base station test systems. Rohde & Schwarz has developed the new R&S FPS signal and spectrum analyzer series specifically for these types of automated measurement applications. With a height of two height units (2 HU), the compact R&S FPS takes up only half as much rack space as a conventional spectrum analyzer.
It is available in five models for frequency ranges up to 4, 7, 13, 30 and 40 GHz and offers measurement applications for all key mobile and wireless standards and can demodulate IEEE 802.11ac Wi-Fi signals thanks to its 160 MHz analysis bandwidth. The higher frequency models are ideal for satellite monitoring applications and for the production of components for the aerospace and defense industry.
The R&S FPS with state-of-the-art processor technology, enabling it to perform CPU-intensive tasks especially fast. For WCDMA signals, for example, it calculates the adjacent channel leakage ratio of four adjacent channels (two on each side) in less than 10 ms while maintaining a standard deviation for the power reading of less than 0.05 dB – unmatched performance among instruments in this class. The R&S FPS also analyzes the modulation of wireless communications signals during component production faster than any other instrument on the market while maintaining consistent precision over the entire frequency range.
It also offers functions for efficient test sequence programming. The R&S FPS is optimally complemented by a signal generator such as the R&S SGS100A. The two instruments together can be used as a mini system for T&M applications requiring fast interaction between a signal generator and signal analyzer, such as when testing mobile phone power amplifiers.
Space requirements play a significant role in large test systems with multiple instruments. This is why Rohde & Schwarz developed the R&S FPS as a compact screenless 2 HU instrument. The user operates the R&S FPS via the test system computer or remotely over the network. A small display on the front of the instrument shows relevant status information such as the IP address being used.
