Test solution offers EVM measurements out to 70GHz

Promoted by the Wi-Fi Alliance, IEEE 802.11ad or WiGig is aimed at providing data throughput speeds of up to 7Gb/sec.

To achieve these speeds over short distances, the 802.11ad PHY layer uses frequencies in the unlicensed 60 GHz spectrum band.

The high frequencies involved – up to 65.80 GHz in some markets – have presented a number of test and measurement challenges, including the need for multiple instruments that must be calibrated together and difficult cross-domain debugging due to the frequencies involved.

“With this new solution, we are removing major obstacles to 802.11ad validation, by providing a single-box solution that spans the entire 60-65GHz spectrum; which simplifies test setup and debug, giving our customers a time-to-market advantage,” said Brian Reich, general manager, Performance Oscilloscopes, Tektronix. “The level of performance we’re able to achieve with our low-noise 70 GHz oscilloscope is already being well received by wireless development teams who are currently working to bring 802.11ad silicon to market.”

Taking advantage of the DPO70000SX oscilloscope’s low-noise ATI acquisition technology, characterisation can be performed with 20 per cent greater accuracy than the competitive offering with an EVM that is specified at 2.5 per cent (-32.0 dB). Competitive offerings also require down-conversion and the need for two instruments to be calibrated; decreasing accuracy and increasing set-up time.

The Tektronix 802.11ad solution speeds up debugging by providing cross correlation between RF and time domains, yielding deeper insight into potential problems.

The solution also supports live triggering on signals up to 70GHz. For greater measurement precision, the transmitter test solution also includes capability to de-embed cables, attenuators or amplifiers in front of the scope with SDLA64.