Enhancing Digital Radio Performance

As much of the world transitions from analog to digital radios, it is important to understand that digital networks require more precise alignment than analog to achieve optimum performance. Testing and verification of radio frequency (RF) alignment parameters is required to maximize and deliver the high performance that digital technology provides. Improper alignment causes degraded digital modulation accuracy, which has a significant impact on the receiver’s ability to recover the digital data.However, with digital systems, the quality of the transmitted digital signal has a significant effect on the coverage area. Lab testing shows that improper modulation alignments of a radio’s transmitter parameters negatively affect performance of another Proper testing and verification of RF modulation parameters ensures optimal digital network performance.Enhancing Digital Radio Performance White Paperdigital radio’s receiver. For example, a 20% calibration error can affect range to the same extent as a 75% reduction in power. An understanding of digital radio operation and alignment, proper setting of audio filter parameters, and the use of accurate deviation meters will significantly improve the performance of digital radios. Conversely, using inaccurate deviation meters, improper filter settings, and lack of knowledge of meter specifications and operation will dramatically and negatively impact digital radio performance.