SignalMeister Waveform Generator Software - Keithley Instruments

Keithley Instruments has released the SignalMeister, a free software tool to create waveform files that can be downloaded to Keithley's Model 2910 RF Vector. SignalMeister allow integration of multiple signal creation libraries with flexibility to handle multiple signal standards. The first signal generation library for the SignalMeister software supports the Chinese TD-SCDMA wireless communications standard, which is expected to be deployed soon in China.

About Keithley Instruments, Inc.
With more than 60 years of measurement expertise, Keithley Instruments has become a world leader in advanced electrical test instruments and systems from DC to RF (radio frequency). Our products solve emerging measurement needs in production testing, process monitoring, product development, and research. Our customers are scientists and engineers in the worldwide electronics industry involved with advanced materials research, semiconductor device development and fabrication, and the production of end products such as portable wireless devices. The value we provide them is a combination of precision measurement technology and a rich understanding of their applications to improve the quality of their products and reduce their cost of test.

The TD-SCDMA library has the complete capability to produce virtually any TD-SCDMA signal quickly and easily. Waveform files generated with SignalMeister integrate seamlessly with Keithley's Model 2910 RF Vector Signal Generator. The SignalMeister software now allows users to get all the time and cost saving benefits provided by the Model 2910 when calibrating and testing wireless equipment and devices employing the TD-SCDMA technology standard.

Model 2910 RF Vector Signal Generator offers a flexible software-defined radio (SDR) architecture to provide extremely fast measurement speed. The flexibility allows it to adapt quickly to the changing test requirements of the wireless communications market without expensive hardware upgrades. All TD-SCDMA signals can be generated in addition to, or in combination with, other technology standard signals already available using a Model 2910 without any hardware modification.

SignalMeister TD-SCDMA waveform signals generated using the Model 2910 have a signal modulation quality characteristic EVM of 0.3%. Absolute amplitude accuracy is typically <±0.3dB to -110dBm (CW), relative accuracy (linearity) is <±0.05dB, and repeatability is <±0.05dB.

TD-SCDMA devices require testing at different frequencies and amplitudes, which the Model 2910 does in just over one millisecond with its patent-pending synthesizer design and List Mode. In addition, TD-SCDMA devices are commonly tested with multiple signal waveforms which must be switched quickly. The Model 2910 can store multiple TD-SCDMA waveforms, along with waveforms from other technology standards, in its 40MHz bandwidth, 100 Mega-sample ARB memory. It can switch between waveforms instantly, in one sample period, using the ARB Sequence feature or in less than three milliseconds using a SCPI command via any of the instrument's GPIB, USB, or LAN interfaces, which includes LXI Class 3 operation.

The SignalMeister TD-SCDMA software generates waveforms that conform to the ETSI 3GPP TDD standard and defines 11 physical and three transport channels for both Uplink and Downlink signals. In addition to creating a signal that conforms to the standard, the SignalMeister software can also produce a TD-SCDMA signal that goes outside the standard, giving test engineers the ability to push parameter values beyond the standard in order to stress devices and ensure very high product quality. When certain parameter settings are not allowed, SignalMeister software warns the user and won't allow the signal waveform file to be created, preventing errors from occurring.

Keithley's SignalMeister Waveform Creation Software features an intuitive PC-based graphical user interface (GUI) that speeds up and simplifies signal creation, allowing users to quickly and easily generate signal waveforms. For instance, a set-up wizard lets users set up all of the reference measurement channels (RMC) defined in the TD-SCDMA standard as well as define the start timeslot and start code for each RMC. All the Uplink and Downlink RMCs are supported. In addition, a signal configuration tree helps engineers navigate the creation of a TD-SCDMA waveform using comprehensive dialog boxes for each channel with clearly organized signal parameter settings. A parameter settings summary also displays the current settings and the allowed value range of each parameter.

Keithley's SignalMeister software with TD-SCDMA waveform generation capability is ideally suited for the testing needs of mobile phone manufacturers, RF device manufacturers and mobile phone chip-set suppliers in both production and R&D environments. Test engineers in base-station manufacturing, such as pico base stations, which requires high-speed testing and are especially sensitive to equipment costs, will also benefit from the SignalMeister software when used with the Model 2910 RF Vector Signal Generator.

SignalMeister Waveform Creation Software is available now at no charge to Model 2910 RF Vector Signal Generators users and can be downloaded from Keithley's website

The 2910-TDSCDMA-PC software license, which has a U.S. catalog price of $3,500, must be loaded on the Model 2910 RF Vector Signal Generator in order to run SignalMeister TD-SCDMA waveform files.

Source: Keithley’s SignalMeister Waveform Creation Software for RF Vector Signal Generators