Test & Measurement


Vector signal generator aids RF characterisation

5 May 2004 Test & Measurement

Engineers are offered a complete platform for accelerating RF product design, validation and manufacturing test with the release of National Instruments' 2,7 GHz NI PXI-5670 RF vector signal generator. The new PXI-5670 module offers true 16 bit resolution arbitrary waveform generation at 100 MSa/s (400 MSa/s interpolated), up to 256 MB of memory and 22 MHz realtime bandwidth. This gives engineers a highly precise, flexible vector signal generator with the performance required for rapid prototyping and automated test, says the company.

The RF vector signal generator offers signal generation from 250 kHz to 2,7 GHz and can produce analog and custom digital modulation as well as standard digital modulation formats such as ASK, FSK, MSK, PSK and QAM. The module's deep memory of up to 256 MB offers extended playback time for complex modulated signals, which addresses research and development needs for simulation of signal transmission in real-world conditions. The module has advanced timing and triggering capabilities, and the software flexibility makes it a good fit for emerging applications including software defined radio, radio frequency identification (RFID) and wireless sensor networks.

The PXI-5670 module includes the NI Modulation Toolkit for LabView 7 Express and the NI-RFSG instrument driver. The Modulation Toolkit offers functions for signal generation, analysis and visualisation of analog and digital modulation, both standard and custom.

Some of the standard measurement functions include error vector magnitude (EVM), modulation error ratio (MER) and Rho. The toolkit also offers functions to inject impairments into a communications system including IQ gain imbalance, quadrature skew and additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). Visualisation functions include trellis, constellation and two- and three-dimensional eye diagrams.

For more information contact National Instruments South Africa, 0800 203 199.





Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page

Further reading:

Analyser and voltmeter capability added to portable instruments
Tamashi Technology Investments Test & Measurement
Anritsu Company had added Vector Network Analyzer and Vector Voltmeter measurements to their industry standard Site Master instruments.

Read more...
Marktech’s latest LEDs and photodiodes
NuVision Electronics Test & Measurement
Designed for precision sensing and emission tasks, Marktech’s optoelectronic lineup serves medical, industrial, aerospace, and environmental markets.

Read more...
MEMS air quality sensor
Future Electronics Test & Measurement
Bosch Sensortec’s BME690 is the latest-generation gas sensor that combines advanced monitoring capabilities with innovative artificial intelligence functionality.

Read more...
Telemetry retrofit for sustainable resource management
CST Electronics Test & Measurement
AquaMeter is a cost-effective secure telemetry retrofit that can easily be added to hundreds of millions of legacy mechanical water meters.

Read more...
True-RMS clamp meter measures 2500 A
Comtest Test & Measurement
The Fluke 376 FC True-RMS Clamp Meter with iFlex is the most advanced troubleshooting tool for industrial and commercial electricians.

Read more...
Latest wireless barcode scanner
Brady Corporation Test & Measurement
Brady has launched its new barcode scanner, the CR2100, which is a wireless handheld scanner utilising Bluetooth 5 LE for communication with a host device.

Read more...
hybridNETBOX instrumentation platform
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
The hybridNETBOX from Spectrum Instrumentation is an innovative instrumentation platform that combines a multi-channel arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) and a digitiser in a single portable unit.

Read more...
14-bit AWG at 20 GS/s
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
The Arb Rider AWG-7000 is the world’s fastest 14-bit Arbitrary Waveform Generator, featuring a 20 GS/s real time update rate and 14-bit vertical resolution.

Read more...
Additions to APD5000 series oscilloscopes
Osiris Technical Systems Test & Measurement
Each unit is equipped with an integrated CAT II digital multimeter, three programmable power supplies, a dedicated trigger line, and an arbitrary waveform generator.

Read more...
Handheld RTSA up to 9,5 GHz
Vepac Electronics Test & Measurement
The PXE-90 implements an FFT engine on the built-in FPGA and support frame compression with trace detection while ensuring no missing samples between FFT frames.

Read more...