Rohde & Schwarz presented its Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) signaling test solution for signaling RF tests under realistic conditions at Bluetooth World 2018 (Booth #333) in Santa Clara, Calif. on September 18 and 19.
BLE has emerged as a major transmission technology for the IoT. When drafting the BLE test specifications in 2010, Bluetooth SIG specified a direct test mode (DTM, non-signaling) but did not specify an OTA signaling test mode. DTM requires a dedicated control line to be connected to the device under test. The control line, however, does not allow RF tests under realistic conditions since the measured RF characteristics are distorted compared with a realistic test. Testing BLE components in direct test mode at the board level during development is a complicated but feasible task. In contrast, it is difficult or even impossible to carry out DTM RF tests in production and for OTA applications, e.g. in shielded chambers. Many BLE devices offer no port or interface to connect to a control line but nevertheless need to be tested under realistic conditions. Rohde & Schwarz now presents the first solution for BLE RF signaling tests under realistic conditions.
Fast OTA RF tests under realistic conditions
The BLE signaling test solution from Rohde & Schwarz makes it possible to determine the RF characteristics of a Bluetooth LE device via a Bluetooth OTA link or over a wired connection to the antenna. With this approach, users can, for example, measure the level, modulation and receiver characteristics of individual or all data channels for frequency-hopping transmissions, which are typical of Bluetooth. Rohde & Schwarz also offers an advertiser testing option for its R&S CMW test platform to measure the RF parameters of advertiser channels. The BLE signaling functionality enhances the BLE direct test mode and the BLE advertiser mode. With these functionalities, it is now possible to solve even complex measurement tasks in development, production and for OTA applications. With the R&S CMW, users can now choose among all three BLE RF test modes to match their respective applications. That makes the R&S CMW platform a safe investment also for future Bluetooth developments.
Comprehensive Bluetooth RF tester
The R&S CMW test platform delivers the full range of Bluetooth RF tests, including Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth LE and the latest standard, Bluetooth 5.03. Along with signaling tests and tests in direct test mode, the R&S CMW enables diverse audio tests on Bluetooth Basic Rate/Enhanced Data Rate (BR/EDR) links. The R&S CMW test platform is especially suited for tests during development, for pre-conformance tests, qualified audio tests and Bluetooth OTA tests.
R&S CMW270: Bluetooth, WLAN and Zigbee tests in a single box
At this year's Bluetooth World, Rohde & Schwarz showcased its R&S CMW270 wireless connectivity tester. It relies on a parametric test concept that allows users to create and execute customized test sequences. The tester's bandwidth has been extended to 160 MHz. That also enables WLAN RF signaling tests covering the IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and IEEE 802.11ax standards. RF tests to IEEE 802.15.4 for Zigbee and Thread components are also available.
