Latest Test and Measurement News

Test Solutions for Sub-THz Research

03 November 2022 - Rohde & Schwarz presented an innovative signal generation and analysis solution for measurements in the D band that will significantly simplify early next generation mobile communications research. The new R&S FE170 frontend extensions are easy to mount to and configure with the R&S SMW200A vector signal generator and the R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyzer. The extensions will allow the two high-end test instruments to cover frequency ranges between 110 GHz and 170 GHz – key spectrum for beyond 5G, for 6G technology and for future automotive radar applications.

The D band, which ranges from 110 GHz to 170 GHz, has been identified by academia and key industry players as a candidate frequency band for future mobile communications – in particular beyond 5G and for 6G – and for automotive radar applications. Rohde & Schwarz continues to push the limits of sub-THz research with its innovative test solutions. A test setup for sub-THz research using the R&S SMW200A and R&S FSW is now easy to configure, since only three connections are needed (IF, reference frequency and LAN) to integrate the new frontends into the base units. Users simply have to enter the IP address in the user interface of the base units. After connection, the frontends are directly controlled by the R&S SMW200A and R&S FSW, since the frontends’ control unit is integrated in their firmware. Because all correction data is considered, this concept offers the major advantage of a fully calibrated solution.

With their compact form factor of 152 mm x 190 mm x 50 mm, both frontends take up little space on the lab bench. Since the high-performance internal synthesizer provides a local oscillator (LO), the test setup needs no additional analog signal source, ensuring excellent phase noise performance. Smart accessories such as bandpass filters and TX power amplifiers further enhance the solution’s performance.

The R&S FE170ST and R&S FE170SR frontend solution for D band research will be available by the end of 2022.

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