NewSpace Terminal Testing Challenges and ConsiderationsToday’s satellite communication systems combine features from legacy cellular networks and emerging wireless technologies. New constellations are under development that attempt to provide ubiquitous mobility and internet networks via satellites, ground stations and user terminals.

RF/microwave modules, often referred to as “hybrids,” integrate functional blocks used to transmit and/or receive radio signals. These hybrid circuits combine different technologies, including monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs)/RFICs, discrete field-effect transistors (FETs), and passive devices attached to substrates such as alumina or FR4, which contain circuit traces and distributed components, all within a single housing or enclosure.

Pulse width modulation (PWM) is a commonplace technique for efficiently driving switched mode supplies at a fixed frequency. This applies to many types of power supplies in industrial control systems, power electronics and digital communications.

The MATRICs™ Transceiver is poised to cross over from defense applications to commercial markets with the latest non-ITAR version. The ultra-wideband reconfigurable transceiver system on a chip has immediate applications as a software defined radio prototyping platform for commercial RF/mm-Wave applications, including 5G FR2 and point 2 points links.

Application development in the millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies for terrestrial communication, high-frequency device characterization, automotive radar, and other technologies is increasing. The challenge of testing and characterizing the devices that enable new solutions is becoming increasingly complex. As broadband testing over hundreds of gigahertz of bandwidth is subject to repeatability and accuracy deficits, researchers and engineers are demanding better broadband solutions that help to overcome these challenges and simplify mmWave testing.

This white paper provides an overview of the basic building blocks of a phased array system and discusses how the nature of their design leads to a challenging test environment.

With the emergence of highly capable, low-cost, wirelessly controlled drones, bad actors can easily execute disruptive operations, such as airport intrusions or surveillance abuse. Read how SkySafe rapidly prototyped and deployed a cutting-edge software defined radio (SDR)-based drone defense system on USRP, delivering industry-leading capability faster and at a much lower cost to the government.

Impedance measurements with vector network analyzers require maximum precision. The R&S®ZNL Vector Network Analyzer from Rohde & Schwarz is able to characterize a broad range of impedances with the lowest uncertainty among its competitors in the same class. It is a 3-in1 allrounder. Get more insights and register for our content.

5G introduces test challenges related to massive MIMO, mmWave frequencies, and over-the-air (OTA) test.
In Keysight's latest eBook, Making 5G Work, you will learn how to:

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Temperature impacts the performance of almost all electronic devices. This is a critical factor when the device is part of a measuring instrument. RF & µW power sensors are used to ensure the validity of test systems by providing accurate power measurements across broad frequency ranges and power levels.