Microwave signal generators address wideband mmWave applications

Many 5G New Radio (NR) deployments leverage wider channel bandwidths and active antenna arrays operating in mmWave frequency spectrum to support multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO), as well as beamforming technologies.

3GPP mandated conformance testing of components, and other wireless network equipment aimed for deployment in mmWave frequencies, need to be performed in radiated OTA test environments. 

The VXG microwave signal generators support the next frontier of cellular technology.

The instruments deliver an optimised 5G NR test system setup leveraging dual-channel 44 GHz vector signal generation with up to 2 GHz RF modulation bandwidth, and phase-coherent capability in a single test instrument, and they offer low OTA test system path loss resulting from the industry’s highest output power versus error vector magnitude (EVM) and adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) performance.

Product development is accelerated through integration with Keysight’s PathWave Signal Generation, a software suite with access to a wide range of evolving standards-compliant 3GPP 5G NR signals for testing base stations, mobile terminal transmitters and receivers.

“We are excited to introduce the world’s first dual-channel 44GHz microwave signal generator with 2GHz bandwidth, in both benchtop and modular form factors,” said Joe Rickert, Keysight Vice President, High Frequency Measurement R&D. “The VXG’s low phase noise, high output power, excellent modulation, and distortion performance make it an ideal signal generator for a wide breadth of applications in wireless communications, for commercial and aerospace defense industries.”

Features include RF performance that optimises measurement integrity and minimises uncertainty for wide bandwidths at millimeter wave frequencies, and a new graphical user interface for 5G NR that delivers a streamlined experience when creating standard-compliant test signals.

The instruments have a user-centric interface – multi-touch and modular – that deliver identical performance while addressing specific needs unique to R&D and manufacturing environments.

Keysight’s 5G waveform generation and analysis testbed solution leverages the VXG microwave signal generator’s enhanced capabilities for 5G development teams to efficiently validate new designs across both frequency range 1 (FR1) and frequency range 2 (FR2) as defined by 3GPP.

The testbed solution uniquely addresses the challenges of 5G NR conformance test and enables Keysight to quickly integrate new technology into market-ready solutions that enable customers to move faster and achieve first-to-market goals.