Europe : An option for fading is now available for the Vector Signal Generator R&S SMU200A from Rohde & Schwarz. Two independent RF fading paths with digital modulation simplify applications such as the performance tests defined in 3GPP. With a time resolution of up to 10 ps, a bandwidth of 80 MHz, and a total of 40 fading paths, the instrument offers absolute best-of-class specifications. The frequency range of 100 kHz to 6 GHz includes all conventional wireless standards such as GSM, WCDMA, CDMA2000, and WLAN. Moreover, an exceptionally simple operating concept allows fast selection of the standard and the fading profile. If necessary, the user can also configure the fading scenarios.

In contrast to an ideal development environment, uneven terrain, buildings, or movable objects impair the transmission of signals in practice. Attenuated signals, different delays in paths, or multipath reception are typical interferences that developers of wireless user equipment must take into account early on. To make this possible, the R&S SMU200A now offers digital baseband fading in realtime. The R&S SMU200A is the only instrument worldwide that can be equipped with one or two faders. This provides the user with two independent RF paths with up to 40 fading paths, which is the only way to make it possible, for example, to carry out the performance tests defined in 3GPP using a single instrument. This eliminates complicated test setups and saves time on configuration.

Numerous predefined test scenarios in accordance with existing standards facilitate the use of the R&S SMU200A in research, development, and quality control. Owing to its graphical user interface and its virtually self-explanatory menu, the R&S SMU200A is very easy to operate. The user selects the desired standard together with the corresponding test scenario simply by means of a mouse click on screen or by pressing a button on the instrument. All conventional communications standards are already available, and future standards are installed by software updates. The signal generator thus offers a high safety of investment.

The R&S SMU200A is able to set up as many as 40 fading paths with different paths in the exact same manner that they arise in a transmission channel due to different propagation paths. Several fading profiles are available for each path. The Typical Urban, Typical Hilly, and Typical Rural configurations for different terrains simulate classic fading effects with GSM. In addition to these multipath fading scenarios, the moving and birth/death propagation scenarios are available for WCDMA. The R&S SMU200A can thus test the receiver's ability to adjust to slow or sudden delay conditions in the radio channel. In practice, such dynamic propagation conditions arise due to movement of the receiver.

With a frequency range of 100 kHz to 6 GHz, the signal generator can also be used for fading tests with WLAN. In this case, many paths with slight differences in delay occur over a short distance. With an outstanding time resolution of 10 ps, the R&S SMU200A is ideal for WLAN applications. For more complex tests, the user can define the parameters of all offered test scenarios.

The R&S SMU200A with fading options can now be ordered from Rohde & Schwarz.