Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) has launched the R&S CMW270 test platform with signalling test functionality for Blue­tooth Low Energy (BLE) from the global provider of telecom testing solutions for signalling radio frequency (RF) tests under realistic conditions. The R&S CMW test platform will assist BLE component manufacturers to reduce the risks in conducting advanced testing modules and sensors in compliance with the standards. In addition, this platform enables over-the-air (OTA) tests as well as conducted measurements on these devices. R&S has also offered an advertiser testing option for its R&S CMW test platform to measure the RF parameters of advertiser channels. For this purpose, the BLE signalling functionality enhances the BLE direct test mode and the BLE advertiser mode. Engineers can use the latest test platform to solve complex measurement tasks in development, production and for OTA applications as the R&S CMW enables users to select from the three BLE RF test modes to match their respective applications.

R&S has also launched a wideband I/Q data recorder to record signal scenarios, which are required in test cases at a bandwidth of up to 512 MHz and high sampling rates. This solution records wideband RF signals and reproduces them to simulate real-world test environments, enabling realistic, repeatable device tests in the lab. The device testing solution comprises an R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyser, the R&S IQW wideband I/Q data recorder and an R&S SMW200A vector signal generator. Signals are captured by an R&S FSW signal and spectrum analyser. The instrument acquires signals with high sensitivity, generates the corresponding I/Q data in real time and transfers the data gapless to the R&S IQW. The I/Q data recorder samples signal spectra at up to 640 Msample/s and a large bit depth at 16 bits each for I and Q data. The company is using removable 6.4 TB solid state drive (SSD) memory packs for storage. Further, the wideband I/Q data recorder is usually operated via local area network (LAN) using a web-based graphical user interface (GUI) that automatically adapts to the actual screen size. The recorder can also be operated locally via its 5.7 inch Thin Film Transistor (TFT) touchscreen, with the option of connecting an accessory keyboard and mouse.