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Keithley adds WiMAX testing

Keithley Instruments has extended its RF test capabilities to include WiMAX signal testing, with a set of signal creation and analysis tools. Keithley has developed a new architecture for RF test products that employs softwaredefined- radio techniques, with extensive use of DSP (digital signal processing). This, the company says, simplifies extending its measurement capabilities to add support for new signal standards without requiring expensive hardware upgrades or different instrumentation; in this case, IEEE802.16e mobile WiMAX Wave 2 testing with up to 4X4 MIMO channels. In addition, the new instruments support testing in lower frequency bands down to 400MHz, for forthcoming new WiMAX solutions. The offering is based on the company’s Model 2820 RF vector signal analysers and Model 2920 RF vector signal generators. Coverage is from 400MHz to 4GHz and to 6GHz if you require WLAN measurement capability.

The 2820 analyser is optimised for automated testing of wireless devices in production test environments, as well as in new product and device research and development. Keithley claims it is faster, smaller and lowercost than alternatives, and is simple to operate via a drag-and-dropstyle GUI. Users select the standard they are working with, the particular measurement set they require, and software sets up both analyser and arbitrary-waveform-generator configurations. With fore-knowledge of the signal type in use, the measurement chain is configured for an endto- end BER analysis.

Working in conjunction with the two RF test instrument families is Version 2.0 of the SignalMeister waveform creation software, for creation of the entire range of signals in accordance with WiMAX and WLAN wireless connectivity standards and 3GPP and 3GPP2 cellular standards. It can accommodate MIMO configurations up to 44 for WLAN, and will soon be extended to include WiMax in 22 form. The company also markets synchronisation modules, required for MIMO characterisation, that lock the instruments to a resolution of 1 nsec.

Keithley, www.keithley.com