06 November 2019

Rohde & Schwarz and Marvin Test Solutions have partnered to introduce what they claim to be a “unique” turnkey solution suited for beamforming integrated circuits (IC) used in 5G mmWave (FR2) and satellite communications.

Beamforming, fast becoming a default concept in 5G NR and satellite communications, is a technology synonymous with the aerospace and defence sector.

This new R&S ZNBT40 is a multiport VNA, which the companies claim enables fast, reliable and extensive verification and characterisation of beamforming ICs with typically 5, 9 or even 17 RF ports.

It is a vector network analyser with a frequency range from 100 kHz to 40 GHz and a “true” multiport architecture.

In addition to testing multiport devices under test (DUT) like the beamforming ICs, it also allows parallel testing of multiple DUTs using up to 24 ports.

The large number of ports, the companies claim, makes it possible to characterise a beamforming IC in full detail and see the cross-correlation effects while monitoring all antenna connections.

www.rohde-schwarz.com