RF component testing

RF component testing at Rohde & Schwarz

Our portfolio spans the entire spectrum of RF component testing, from R&D to production, and ensuring that every type of component is validated for its intended application. Discover the perfect solution, regardless of your focus – be it energy efficiency, enhanced sensitivity, higher frequencies, or wider bandwidth. Our RF and microwave component testing solutions are designed to reduce test times, expedite design cycles, and guarantee improved performance, sensitivity, and stability.

We address the main groups of RF components with targeted test solutions, including:

• RF power amplifiers, which are critical for boosting signal strength and overall system efficiency.
• Antennas, ranging from basic models to complex phased arrays used for advanced beamforming applications.
• Data converters, essential for processing digital streams and enabling direct RF conversion.
• Mixers, which play a vital role as building blocks for satellite links and systems operating at higher frequencies.
• Oscillators and clocks, indispensable in any RF system as local oscillators, significantly influencing overall system performance.
• Passive components, such as RF filters, cables, and connectors, which ensure signal integrity and reliable connectivity throughout the system.

At Rohde & Schwarz, we understand that a reliable partnership is key when developing the next generation of RF and microwave components. That’s why we offer user-friendly test solutions to support your innovation, including easy-to-use graphical user interfaces on many instruments as well as built-in SCPI recorders to simplify programming for test automation. Our commitment is to provide you with the tools and support you need to succeed in developing cutting-edge RF and microwave technologies.

Understanding the spectrum of RF components

RF components are the essential building blocks of any wireless system. To fully understand their roles and the specific testing requirements they entail, these components are typically classified into two main functional categories: active and passive. Comprehensive testing of both types is crucial to ensure the overall performance, reliability, and compliance of any RF system.

Active components in RF systems

Active components in RF systems require an external power source to operate. Their defining characteristic is the ability to introduce gain into a system, meaning they can amplify signals, change their frequency, or perform switching functions. These capabilities make active components fundamental for tasks such as boosting signal strength or enabling frequency translation within a wireless system.

Passive components in RF systems

In contrast, passive components do not require an external power source. They cannot introduce net power gain but instead serve to manage, direct, and condition the signal as it passes through the system. Examples include components that filter, couple, or connect signals, ensuring that the signal maintains its integrity and reaches its intended destination without unwanted distortion or loss.

Testing solutions for every RF component from Rohde & Schwarz

Ensuring the individual performance of each component is the first step to guaranteeing the success of the final product. At Rohde & Schwarz, we offer targeted test solutions for the entire spectrum of RF components: