#33 - RF testing

📡 RF testing in the EOL phase – what, how, and why we measure

The goal of RF testing is to validate the radio-frequency characteristics of manufactured products, typically in an EOL (End-of-Line) environment.
This stage is chosen because every prior manufacturing and assembly step can impact RF parameters.

🔹 Typically measured characteristics (transmission):
– Carrier frequency accuracy
– Radiated power and spectrum
– Correctness of modulation parameters

🔹 Typically measured characteristics (reception):
– Received signal level
– Bit error rate (BER)
(these are measured by the DUT’s own RF frontend, reflecting real-world operation)

🔹 Test methods:
– Signaling: real RF communication with the DUT (expensive, thorough, common in automotive)
– Non-signaling: predefined waveform with an external control channel (fast, cost-effective)

🔹 Connection to the test instrument:
– Radiated mode: via antenna, inside an isolation chamber
– Conducted mode: coaxial cable + attenuator, more accurate and repeatable

🔹 Critical infrastructure:
– Antennas (bandwidth, radiation pattern, polarization, impedance)
– RF chamber (isolation, orientation, feedthroughs)
– For passive DUTs: VNA-based measurements

Download 33_RFMeas.pdf