At productronica 2009, Rohde & Schwarz presents a flexibly configurable system solution for testing receivers in radar systems. Manufacturers and operators can use this application in development, production and service to simulate phase-coherent multichannel signals. The radar test system generates simple modulated or unmodulated pulse sequences and can also be expanded to a maximum of ten channels to create realistic scenarios.

The radar test system from Rohde & Schwarz makes it easy to integrate even complex signal generation functionality into the development and production of radar systems. It provides high level and phase accuracy over a wide dynamic range (up to 118 dB) as well as extremely high setting speed throughout the entire range (< 1 µs/step at 50 dB). As a result, very fast, highly automated tests with complex sequences can be performed.

The application that is being showcased utilizes three R&S SMBV100A signal generators. It allows testing of three-channel monopulse radars such as those used in air traffic control systems. By deploying the appropriate number of signal generators, users can generate up to ten phase-coherent RF signals.

The radar test system features an integrated R&S FSV signal and spectrum analyzer that performs internal system calibration and provides accurate test results over a wide temperature range by recalibrating during startup or after temperature changes. In addition, the R&S FSV analyzes important parameters such as power or spurious of the transmitted radar pulses.

An R&S OSP switch and control platform as well as an R&S CompactTSVP serve as the interface to the radar receiver. The R&S CompactTSVP PXI platform allows testing of the digital and analog signals of the DUT so that users can determine if the received and transmitted signals correspond. Furthermore, the graphical user interface on the PC makes it easy to set the signal parameters.