Rohde & Schwarz presents high-end platform for testing audio/ video interfaces on consumer electronics equipment in R & D

May 08, 2012 - Today's set-top boxes, tablet PCs and smartphones are equipped with digital video interfaces such as the high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) and the mobile high-definition link (MHL). The new R&S®VTC video test center can be used to test the functionality of these interfaces and their compliance with the relevant standards. The R&S®VTC provides combined realtime protocol testing and audio/ video analysis including difference picture analysis, offering user equipment manufacturers the most flexible test platform on the market.

The new R&S®VTC video test center is the ideal platform for use in R & D and complements the existing R&S®VTS compact video tester and R&S®VTE video tester. The comprehensive product family now covers all applications in the consumer electronics value-added chain. The R&S®VTC is an entirely modular platform designed for testing video and audio interfaces that offers a wide variety of functions. The all-in-one solution provides realtime protocol and media content analysis and can be modified at any time to meet the requirements of specific test environments. It can also be upgraded to comply with new standards, which is what makes it such a flexible solution.

The platform accommodates up to eight test modules. Separate options are available for the high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) and for the mobile high-definition link (MHL) interface that are commonly used in consumer electronics equipment. An analog audio/ video interface module and a modulator module for broadcasting standards are currently being prepared.

In combination with the HDMI options – which are also new – the R&S®VTC performs extensive realtime analyses of video and audio parameters as well as info frames. To test sources and sinks, the R&S®VTC can perform system protocol tests in line with the latest HDMI compliance test specification 1.4c. For the various interfaces, Rohde & Schwarz provides test software that can be used to automate test routines. The R&S®VT-B2361 HDMI RX option also makes it possible to test ultra definition (UD) resolutions, i.e. resolutions up to 4k x 2k as used in high-end screens.

Rohde & Schwarz offers several options for the automatic analysis of media content. These options can be used for MHL and HDMI signals. The R&S®VT-K2100 video analysis option measures the timing and level of each video signal component in realtime, making it possible to verify whether color transmission is correct. The R&S®VT-K2110 AV inspection and R&S®VT-K2111 AV distortion analysis options assist users in performing difference picture analyses. In addition to the graphical result display, objective measured values such as PSNR, SSIM and MOS are also displayed in realtime. Bit errors in video content, for example, can be identified as well. One option even includes a conclusive audio analysis function. The R&S®VTC identifies the key parameters such as audio level, frequency response, phase response, S/N ratio, distortion and crosstalk.

The R&S®VTC video test center is easy to use thanks to its 11” touchscreen. It can also be operated remotely via LAN using a PC or tablet. The video test center supports several languages including Chinese, Korean and Japanese. The VXI-11 interface allows the device to be integrated into automated test setups. Customers can modify the R&S VTC for their particular test environments and upgrade it later to comply with new standards and technologies. This gives customers an investment that is ready for the future – guaranteed.

New application note on Scope Premium

Apr 24, 2012 - USB 2.0 mask tests using the R&S®RTO digital oscilloscope

To produce USB 2.0-capable instruments, manufacturers must perform tests that are defined in the universal serial bus (USB) specification. Mask tests, also known as eye diagram tests, are part of the electrical test description for the high-speed mode at 480 Mbit/s. The new Rohde & Schwarz application note describes in detail how the R&S®RTO digital oscilloscope supports the user when it comes to capturing USB test signals. For eye diagram analysis, the R&S®RTO uses the official electrical test tool provided by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF).

The application note is available here to Scope Premium members two weeks before it is officially published.

R&S®CMW-PQA video over LTE performance test system from Rohde & Schwarz, incorporating the new R&S®VTE video tester, on the shortlist for LTE Award 2012

Apr 23, 2012 - The Telecoms.com LTE Award recognizes network- and/or device-testing products that excel in their field. Such a product is the R&S®CMW-PQA LTE performance test system, which includes an R&S®CMW500 wideband radio communication tester, an R&S®AMU200A baseband signal generator and an R&S®VTE video tester.

The R&S®CMW-PQA video over LTE performance test system makes it possible for the first time to objectively measure video over LTE performance of mobile devices. The solution provides realtime testing of the quality of HD video applications on LTE user equipment under real-world conditions. The system does this by simulating the RF channel through fading and simulating the actual network by adding IP traffic impairments.

The R&S®CMW-PQA test platform for mobile phone testing uses different standards. The system consists of the R&S®CMW500 wideband radio communication tester, which simulates a mobile network, and the R&S®AMU200 baseband signal generator and fading simulator, which generates the required fading signals. In addition, the R&S®VTE video tester performs difference picture analysis for detecting and objectively analyzing degradations in a mobile device’s decoded video signal. Video content is output to the R&S®VTE video tester over the mobile device’s MHL interface.

The video degradation is analyzed by utilizing internationally known objective metric, yielding measurement results that correlate with the subjective perception of video quality through human eyes.

Network operators, test houses and manufacturers of user equipment can measure parameters such as data throughput as well as the setup speed and stability of the link under various receiver conditions. The solution from Rohde & Schwarz makes it possible to test the next step in user experience – video over LTE.

The R&S®CMW-PQA allows the quality of end user devices to be evaluated. This is especially important for LTE as the next step in the user experience, enhancing highly demanding applications such as video streaming, video conferencing, video chatting, advanced gaming and professional services. Consumers worldwide will not accept these new benefits unless they are made available at any time and anywhere, and with a convincing quality. Verifying the video transmission throughout the development process of end user devices is therefore essential.

Cross your fingers that the R&S®CMW-PQA is among the winners that will be named at the award ceremony during the LTE World Summit on May 23, 2012.

Related link
Telecom.com LTE Awards

Extending the GNSS simulator in the R&S®SMBV100A with 24 satellites for GNSS hybrid constellations

Apr 20, 2012 - Rohde & Schwarz has launched the R&S®SMBV-K96 option, extending the global navigation satellite system (GNSS) simulator in the R&S®SMBV100A vector signal generator for up to 24 satellites . This extension offers a perfect fit for hybrid receivers that support more than one GNSS system.

The new R&S®SMBV-K96 extension for up to 24 satellites meets the requirements of state-of-the-art receiver technology, where it is possible to switch from a single system receiver (typically GPS) to a dual-mode receiver supporting GPS and Glonass.

The GNSS extension to 24 satellites for the R&S®SMBV100A vector signal generator features the following:

• Simulation of GPS C/A and Glonass signals from up to 24 GNSS satellites
• Increase in the multipath budget of GPS C/A and Glonass signals to 24 if R&S®SMBV K92 is additionally installed
• The extension requires the R&S®SMBV-K91 option

Why are 24 satellites needed?

With GPS, a receiver can see a maximum of 12 satellites from one position on earth. The same is true for Glonass, which is the second worldwide GNSS system. So to simulate the complete maximum set, a dual-mode receiver for GPS and Glonass can see a maximum of 12 + 12 = 24 satellites. Glonass coverage is preferential in Russia but also used worldwide, enabling users to globally benefit from Glonass.

In an open environment such as on a highway, the receiver can see many satellites distributed across the horizon, even if only one system (e.g. GPS) is supported, and this works very well. But in a dense city with many skyscrapers, only a limited number of satellites can be seen, since signals are often blocked by buildings. If the receiver is able to look for not only GPS but also Glonass satellites, it can still see enough satellites to provide a stable location fix, which may not be possible if only GPS is supported.

Compact EMC test solution

- The new R&S® R-Line test chamber from Rohde & Schwarz combined with the R&S® TS8996 test system delivers an EMI/EMS test performance and accuracy for wireless devices that is comparable to that of systems 10 times larger. During development this compact solution replaces a complete anechoic chamber and complex setup for the critical frequency range of 800 MHz to 18 GHz. It is as effective up to 40 GHz. The R&S® R-Line fits into any lab and will significantly reduce infrastructure investments for manufacturers and test houses.

The Rohde & Schwarz solution meets all S-VSWR validation requirements defined in the CISPR16-1-4:2007 standard. This translates into a compact and economical solution for measurements in the microwave range that can be used in the R&D lab.

The benefits of this compact, high-performance system are numerous, including the ability to optimize factors such as radiated spurious emissions during the development phase. This can eliminate complex modifications during the final conformance tests, which significantly reduces time-to-market.

Further test capabilities in the microwave range can be added with software upgrade packages. This allows designers to determine parameters such as radiated power and sensitivity and to carry out free-space, over-the-air (OTA) performance measurements. As a result, comprehensive RF OTA characterization of the wireless device can begin while the device is still in development.

The R&S® TS8996 test system consists of tried-and-tested instruments from Rohde & Schwarz that stand out for their unsurpassed measurement accuracy and reliability: A typical system includes the R&S CMU200 mobile radio tester, the R&S® FSP or R&S® FSU spectrum analyzer, and a signal generator for calibration.