RF communications system cuts the cost of IoT test

15th May 2017

Mick Elliott

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Datasheet

The KT-RFCT 2400 Gen II – an RF communications test system from Konrad Technologies is designed with convenience in mind. The low price point creates a cost effective means for testing wireless communication units, while generating a favourable cost to performance ratio. The test system has a small footprint, integrating seamlessly into test system infrastructures via a single Ethernet connection. GPIOs can control the DUT and peripherals.

The test system enables communication interfaces like SPI, I2C, UART and CAN. Simple Go/No-Go tests can be performed in parallel. The KT-RFCT 2400 Gen II features a 70MHz to 6GHz frequency range and includes non-signaling and signalling connections.

“We developed the new KT-RFCT 2400 Gen II to fulfill the demand for low cost RF modules, making it an excellent system for IoT test,” said Dr. Marcus Schramm, Head of RF Development for Konrad Technologies. “Based on a software defined radio approach, the instrument can be adapted to upcoming standards for non-signalling tests and gives the customer full control over signal evaluation. The KT-RFCT 2400 GEN II currently supports signalling test for WIFI, BT and BT-LE. In order to adapt to other communication standards, the instrument can be upgraded with external add-ons. These capabilities make the KT-RFCT 2400 GEN II an optimal test system to cover current and future test applications.”

The test system is fully controllable by LabVIEW and offers a soft-front-panel for simple interaction with the instrument. The LabVIEW API can be used together with most of NI’s versatile software packages, such as the Bluetooth Toolkit, GNSS Toolkit and many others.

A wide range of software packages are also available. Included is the ability to use text based languages, such as C/C++, Python, etc.

WIFI and Bluetooth signalling test can be performed in the default configuration of the KT-RFCT 2400 Gen II.

The WIFI test software enables the instrument to act as an access-point or as a client. Signalling tests are supported for WIFI a, b, g, n and ac and up to 4.1 and LE for Bluetooth.

In Bluetooth test, the instrument offers NAP and PANU profiles in its default configuration and can be used to share an internet connection. In both cases, the instrument offers a wide power tuning range of more than 60dB.

The KT-RFCT 2400 GEN II is extensible with additional software plug-ins and hardware add-ons for signalling and non-signalling. Signalling software options include BT, BT-LE and WIFI. Those options are open to be customized according to specific requirements. Konrad Technologies offers different software modules for LabVIEW to cover non-signalling applications such as Keyless Entry.

In order to ensure a future-proof invest, the KT-RFCT 2400 GEN II supports the use of external add-ons, which broadens the signalling support to include protocols like ZWave, ZigBEE, LoRa and SigFox.