New approaches in the generation of complex I/Q signals
◆ 14-bit resolution
◆ 16 000 000 sample memory depth
◆ 100 MHz sample rate
◆ 78 dB ACP dynamic range
(typical of 3GPP FDD)
◆ Integrated hard disk and
floppy disk drive
◆ Optional BER measurement
(R&S AMIQ-B1)
◆ Optional differential I/Q outputs
(R&S AMIQ-B2)
◆ Optional digital I/Q output
(R&S AMIQ-B3)
The ultimate in I/Q signals
Modulation Generator
R&S AMIQ
◆ 100 MHz clock rate per channel
◆ Up to 16000000 samples per
channel
◆ Generation of broadband digital
communication signals (e.g.
WCDMA, HIPERLAN2 and
IEEE802.11a)
◆ Built-in hard disk for storage of
calculated signals
◆ Downloading of calculated
waveforms and signals also from
integrated floppy disk drive
◆ Antialiasing filter featuring
excellent frequency response and
group delay
◆ Auto-alignment and additional
user correction of amplitude and
offset
◆ Fine adjustment of I/Q skew
◆ Wide dynamic range through the
use of 14-bit D/A converter, ideal
for multicarrier applications
◆ Excellent ACP (adjacent-channel
power) values with WCDMA 3GPP
FDD signals of typically –78 dBc
for test model 1 with 64 channels
An ideal pair: R&S AMIQ and
R&S WinIQSIM™
The number of systems based on complex
digital modulation methods has dramatically increased in every field of communications. I/Q modulation is therefore gaining importance for the development of
such modulation methods. The Modulation Generator R&S AMIQ and the Simulation Software R&S WinIQSIM™, which
is described in a separate data sheet
(PD 0757.6940), open up new dimensions
for the generation of I/Q signals.
The R&S AMIQ is a dual-channel modulation generator that has especially been
designed for use as an I/Q source. It is
programmed and set with R&S
WinIQSIM™. Alternatively, the R&S
AMIQ can be operated from the Vector
Signal Generator R&S SMIQ.
Of course, the R&S AMIQ features full
remote-control capabilities via the
GPIB/IEEE and RS-232-C interfaces.
Each channel can store up to 16 000000
samples. Sequences of sufficient length
can thus be generated even at high symbol rates. Featuring clock frequencies of
up to 100 Msample/s and a high ampli-
tude resolution of 14 bit at the analog signal output and up to 16 bit at the digital
signal output, the R&S AMIQ is the ideal
source for any digital modulation signal.
An automatic amplitude/offset alignment
as well as fine adjustment of the skew
provide excellent symmetry of the two
channels which previously was extremely
difficult to attain with dual-channel ARB
generators. The error vector is thus minimized.
The filters have been optimized regarding
group delay, frequency response and
matching between the two channels for
use as an I/Q modulation source.
Typical applications of the R&S AMIQ and
R&S WinIQSIM™ not only include driving
the I/Q inputs of a vector signal generator; the combination is also ideal for direct
applications in the baseband, such as
testing I/Q modulators/demodulators.
The digital signal output (option R&S
AMIQ-B3) opens up further applications
in the baseband: digital/analog converters (DACs) or digital input base stations
can be tested, for example.
2 I/Q Modulation Generator R&S AMIQ
Simulation Software
R&S WinIQSIM™1)
◆ Single-carrier signals
◆ Multicarrier signals (up to
512 modulated or unmodulated
carriers)
◆ Multicarrier mixed signals (up to
32 differently modulated carriers)
◆ User-defined CDMA signal
scenarios
◆ Addition of impairments
◆ Data editor for creating any TDMA
frame configuration
◆ Predefined files for TDMA mobile
radio standards (GSM, GSM-EDGE,
DECT, NADC (IS54C/IS136), PDC,
and test models 1 to 4 for WCDMA
3GPP FDD)
from other software programs to
be read in via the TCP/IP and DDE
interfaces
Versatile to the last detail
R&S WinIQSIM™ is a Windows software
program for calculating I and Q baseband
signals. Its functionality ranges from
single-carrier modulation, generation of
multicarrier, CDMA and WCDMA signals
through to TDMA frame configuration
with the help of a convenient data editor.
All modulation parameters and impairments can be simulated for single-carrier,
multicarrier as well as for CDMA signals.
To put it in a nutshell: R&S WinIQSIM™ is
an indispensable tool for anyone
engaged in modern digital modulation.
This Windows software enables the R&S
AMIQ to simply generate complex modulation signals. This includes modulation
signals for WCDMA 3GPP, which is similar
to QPSK, or 8PSK EDGE modulation with
3π/8 shifting for the EDGE enhancement
in the GSM standard. OFDM, which is
used for HIPERLAN/2, and where a data
stream is transferred via a large number
of carriers, is a special modulation format.
For generating this type of signal, the R&S
WinIQOFDM software (see www.rohdeschwarz.com) is used.
1)
For more details see data sheet PD 0757.6940.
I/Q Modulation Generator R&S AMIQ3
One modulation generator ...
Outstanding quality
In addition to the great memory depth of
up to 16000000 samples, the R&S AMIQ
is outstanding especially for its wide
dynamic range and excellent spectral
purity. For WCDMA signals, low adjacentchannel power (ACP) in the baseband is
thus ensured. The built-in filters are
designed for flat frequency response and
constant group delay.
Two identical channels
For an I/Q source, it is especially important
for the two channels to be identical since
any difference would inevitably cause an
additional modulation error.
Automatic internal alignment of offset
and amplitude of the I and Q channels
guarantees high performance. Small
amplitude or offset errors of the connected device under test can be usercorrected for overall system alignment.
This user correction is independent of the
automatic internal alignment.
Intermodulation
characteristic of the
R&S AMIQ at
50 MHz clock rate
Frequency response
and group delay of
25 MHz output filter
Skews between the I and Q channels,
which may be caused, for example, by
slight differences in the connecting
cables between the R&S AMIQ and the
vector signal generator, can be compensated with a resolution of approx. 10 ps.
ACP (adjacent channel
power) dynamic range in
baseband: −78 dBc typ.
4 I/Q Modulation Generator R&S AMIQ
All these features are the basis for the
outstanding modulation performance of
the R&S AMIQ.
Synchronization capabilities
The signal output can be externally controlled. The clock rate of the I/Q output
can be adapted to the device under test
by means of an external clock. Four userprogrammable marker outputs can be
synchronized to the desired sample and
used, for example, to generate sync
pulses at the beginning of a timeslot or to
drive the power ramping input of an RF
signal generator.
BER measurement
Measuring the bit error rate has become
a frequently used method for the verification of digital communication systems
(e.g. measuring the sensitivity or selectivity of receivers, subsystems and components). The option R&S AMIQ-B1 allows
the R&S AMIQ to be used for BER (bit
error rate) measurements. The device
under test (DUT) must deliver the data to
be tested and the associated clock. If the
DUT does not have its own clock, the
clock can be generated by the R&S AMIQ
and output via one of the four user-programmable marker channels. The built-in
BER tester compares the data with the
... satisfying all requirements
nominal data and calculates the bit error
rate. The result of the BER measurement
is available via the remote-control interface. Various standard PRBS sequences
(PN9, PN15, etc) are used as nominal
data.
The BER measurement has an integrating
function, i.e. at the wrap-around point of
a PRBS sequence the bit error measurement is stopped and restarted by a control signal at the restart input without the
previous result being cleared. All partial
results are added until the predefined
total number of data bits or error bits is
attained. Irrelevant data sequences (e.g.
preambles) are blanked, if necessary, by
means of the control signal at the data
enable input so that they do not invalidate the BER measurement. The PRBS
sequence and the two control signals (at
the marker outputs of the R&S AMIQ) are
generated by means of R&S WinIQSIM™.
Differential outputs
The option R&S AMIQ-B2 enhances the
existing I and Q outputs by providing the
inverted I
Example of bit error rate test
and Q signal outputs.
IEC/IEEE bus
To meet all requirements, the option R&S
AMIQ-B2 allows a DC (bias) voltage to be
superimposed on the balanced modulation signal (e.g. for setting the operating
point). This bias voltage can be set separately for the I and Q channels with high
resolution.
Using the R&S AMIQ-B2, unbalanced signals can be converted to balanced signals
without requiring an external circuit.
Digital output
The option R&S AMIQ-B3 provides the
digital I and Q waveform data for each
channel at a 68-pin SCSI connector on
the front panel. A resolution from 8 bits to
16 bits can be selected for the output signals. So it is possible, for example, to
drive digital/analog converters (DACs)
with different word lengths. By matching
the word length, clock and level of the
output data to the requirements of the
DUT, the R&S AMIQ provides TTL-similar
digital signals that are optimally suited
for testing digital modules.
Use in development
The R&S AMIQ considerably enhances
the variety of applications of a vector signal generator. It takes over where the
internal modulation capabilities of a vector signal generator reach their limits. For
example, signals can be generated with a
bit rate higher than that which can be
processed by the internal modulation
coder of an RF generator. The variation
capability of any modulation parameter
including the superposition of impairments and the generation of IF signals
with the aid of R&S WinIQSIM™ is far
beyond the facilities of a conventional
signal generator.
IQWizard
1)
allows the
conversion of existing signal data that
was generated with the aid of mathematical programs, for example.
Use in production
For use in production environments, measuring instruments have to satisfy versatile requirements. One of the main points
of interest is the space they require. Since
the R&S AMIQ has no built-in display, it is
low in height which makes it especially
suited for rackmounting in ATE (Automatic Test Equipment) systems. The R&S
AMIQ and R&S WinIQSIM™ were
designed for high-speed remote control
via the IEC/IEEE bus. Predefined signals
can be stored on the internal hard disk
and quickly downloaded into the output
memory.
Bus control
I
Q
3-year calibration cycle
Another benefit of the R&S AMIQ is its
3-year calibration interval: it reduces
costs and increases availability.
1)
Can be downloaded from www.rohde-schwarz.com
(Application Note 1MA 28).
I/Q Modulation Generator R&S AMIQ5
DUT
Clock
Data
Operation
R&S AMIQ, R&S WinIQSIM™
and R&S SMIQ – a perfect team
The R&S AMIQ is a black box without any
control and display elements. There are
several choices for operating the R&S
AMIQ:
Operation via R&S WinIQSIM™
With R&S WinIQSIM™, calculated signals are downloaded to the R&S AMIQ
hard disk or directly into the RAM of the
R&S AMIQ via IEC/IEEE bus or RS-232-C
interface. In addition, all R&S AMIQ functions can be set in a menu under R&S
WinIQSIM™.
Operation from R&S SMIQ
A PC with R&S WinIQSIM™ is only
required if new waveforms are to be calculated, since the once calculated signals
can be stored on the hard disk of the R&S
AMIQ. In conjunction with the Vector Signal Generator R&S SMIQ, it is possible to
select waveforms stored on hard disk or
User interface for controlling the R&S AMIQ with R&S WinIQSIM™
Menu for
controlling the
R&S AMIQ with
the R&S SMIQ
floppy and change the R&S AMIQ parameters via a special menu. In this mode, the
R&S AMIQ acts as if it were an option to
the R&S SMIQ.
Operation in ATE systems
As with any other remotely controlled
instrument, all functions of the R&S
AMIQ, e.g. downloading predefined
waveforms from the integrated hard disk,
can be controlled via the remote-control
interface. In this operating mode, neither
R&S WinIQSIM™ nor an R&S SMIQ is
required.
Flexible generation of digitally modulated signals
with the R&S AMIQ and the R&S SMIQ
6 I/Q Modulation Generator R&S AMIQ
Applications
Verification/conformance testing
For the verification and conformance testing of mobile phones and base stations,
signal generators are used for testing
subsystems such as receivers, modulators and amplifiers. Due to its versatility
and signal quality, the R&S AMIQ is the
ideal baseband source to handle these
tasks. Preprogrammed standard settings
in R&S WinIQSIM™ provides frame structures for all primary mobile radio standards. Thus, it is not only possible to generate signals to standards such as GSM
and IS-95, but also to the new WCDMA
standards such as 3GPP FDD and TDD,
TD-SCDMA and CDMA2000. For some of
these standards, a special option is
required for output of the signals by the
R&S AMIQ.
signal source. For this application, the
R&S AMIQ certainly benefits from its
black box design with an IEC/IEEE bus
optimized for high transfer rate, and the
integrated hard disk for saving the calculated signals.
In addition to size, the time required is
also a crucial factor in ATE systems. Fast
switchover between different signal
sequences is a very important aspect. The
R&S AMIQ provides the possibility of
combining up to 30 different sequences
with fast switchover. The resulting multisegment waveforms can be stored on the
internal hard disk like individual
sequences and reloaded into the memory
for output.
Tolerance tests
the I and Q channel. By superimposing a
small offset voltage (user correction) in
addition to this bias voltage, the RF carrier leakage in the modulator is minimized
to obtain optimum data for the I/Q signal
at the RF.
Development of new
communication systems
The comprehensive setting facilities provided in R&S WinIQSIM™ allow future
systems to be developed with the R&S
AMIQ. The programmable data generator
contributes to the easy definition of new
TDMA (time division multiple access) systems.
Use of the additional R&S WinIQOFDM
software provides the R&S AMIQ with the
capability of generating OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) signals such as HIPERLAN/2 and
IEEE802.11a.
Use in automatic test equipment (ATE) systems
In test systems, space is usually limited.
Due to its low height, the R&S AMIQ is an
ideal choice for use as a baseband or IF
In addition to ideal signals, the R&S
WinIQSIM™/R&S AMIQ combination also
allows the generation of defined signal
impairments and additive interfering signals. Variation of bit rates and filtering are
used to determine tolerance limits and to
detect potential critical spots in new systems. By using the Vector Signal Generator R&S SMIQ, fading and additive noise
can be added to the complex signals provided by the R&S AMIQ. In particular, the
R&S SMIQ meets the dynamic fading scenarios prescribed by the 3GPP standard.
Adjustment of I/Q modulators
More and more ICs and modules are
equipped with differential I/Q inputs. In
the case of DC coupling between the R&S
AMIQ and a modulator chip, for example,
the I/Q signal can be superimposed by a
DC (bias) voltage for setting the operating
point (option R&S AMIQ-B2 required).
This DC voltage can be set separately for
Digital components
The R&S AMIQ’s digital signal output
(option R&S AMIQ-B3) allows signals to
be directly fed to baseband components
with digital inputs.
The digital signal output is also optimal
for testing digital/analog converters. Due
to the selectable word length (8 bits to
16 bits), the test signal can be adapted to
the specific requirements.
I/Q Modulation Generator R&S AMIQ7
Specifications
Output memory
Waveform length (data and markers)
Clock rate – Slow mode
(10 Hz to 4 MHz)
Clock rate– Fast mode
(2 MHz to 100 MHz)
Amplitude resolution of data wordsselectable word length 8 bit to 14 bit;
Marker channels
Number
Multisegment waveform
Segment changeover time
without clock change
with clock change
Clock generation
Clock range10 Hz to 100 MHz
Setting range10 Hz to 105 MHz
Resolution1 × 10
External clock input
Clock rate
Reference frequency
Internal reference output
Frequency
Aging (after 30 days of operation)
Temperature effect (0°C to 45°C)
Level, rms
Frequency adjustment
External reference input
Frequency
Level, rms
Input impedance
Signal output
OutputsI and Q
Output impedance50 Ω
Output voltage (Vp into 50 Ω)
Fix mode
Amplitude fine variation
Resolution
Level difference between the two
channels
Residual DC offset
DC fine variation
Resolution
3)
SFDR
(sinewave/clockrate)
1 MHz/10 MHz
5 MHz/50 MHz
Variable mode
Resolution
Residual DC offset
DC fine variation
Resolution
3)
SFDR
(sinewave 1 MHz, clock
rate 10 MHz)
Skew between I and Q channel (filter
off, clock rate 10 MHz, fix mode)
Fine variation
Resolution
Rise time5 ns typ.
24 to 16000 000 in steps of one
24 to 16000 000 in steps of four
up to 16 bit at digital output
can be used as marker or trigger
outputs (for word lengths up to 14 bit)
4
max. 30 segments
4 ms typ.
12 ms typ.
1)
−7
10 Hz to 4 MHz (slow mode)
2 MHz to 100 MHz (fast mode)
10 MHz
−5
1 × 10
/year
−6
<2 × 10
/°C
0.5 V (into 50 Ω)
electronic
10 MHz
0.1 V to 2 V
50 Ω
2)
0.5 V, same for both channels
±10%, separately for each channel
>70 dB, 80 dB typ.
>60 dB, 75 dB typ.
0 V to 1 V, separately adjustable for
each channel
3 digits
<5 mV, 1 mV typ. (after autoalignment)
±70 mV typ.
70 µV
>50 dB (level >0.1 V),
70 dB typ. (level >0.5 V)
±1 ns typ.
<10 ps
Adjacent-channel power
WCDMA 3GPP FDD
Test model 1 (64 DPCH channels)
Offset 5 MHz
Offset 10 MHz
–78 dBc typ.
–78 dBc typ.
Error vector
IS-95 (QPSK)0.35% typ. EVM (rms)
GSM (GMSK)0.2° typ. phase error (rms)
DECT (2-FSK)0.9 % typ. FSK error
NADC, PHS (π/4DQPSK)0.3% typ. EVM (rms)
Filters
Operating modesoff (no filter), internal or external filter
Internal filters
25 MHz
elliptic, 7th order + delay equalizer
Freq. response
Amplitude
Group delay
0.15dB typ. up to 25 MHz
500 ps typ. up to 20 MHz
I/Q imbalance
Amplitude
Group delay
Stopband attenuation
2.5 MHz
0.05 dB typ. up to 25 MHz
200 ps typ. up to 20 MHz
70 dB from 75 MHz
elliptic, 7th order + delay equalizer
Freq. response
Amplitude
Group delay
0.15 dB typ. up to 2.5 MHz
5 ns typ. up to 2 MHz
I/Q imbalance
Amplitude
Group delay
Stopband attenuation
External filters
0.05 dB typ. up to 2.5 MHz
1 ns typ. up to 2 MHz
70 dB from 7.5 MHz
one filter can be connected for each
channel, BNC connectors on rear
panel
Impedance
50 Ω
Trigger
CONT moderepetitive output of loaded waveform
after occurrence of trigger
SINGLE modesi ng le out pu t o f l oad ed wa vef or m a ft er
occurrence of trigger
GATED modestart of (repetitive) waveform output
after occurrence of trigger until end of
trigger event
Trigg er sig na lvia remote control or trigger input
Trigger input
Input level
Max. permissible input voltage
Pulse width (clock rate –slow mode)
Pulse width (clock rate – fast mode)
BNC connector, selectable polarity
TTL
−0.5 V to 6 V
min. 200 ns + 1 sample
min. 11 samples
Delay between trigger input and
output of first data word
Slow mode
Fast mode
220 ns + (1 sample + 20 ns) jitter
21 samples + 1 sample jitter
Marker outputs
Number of outputs4, BNC connectors
LevelTTL, can be terminated into 50 Ω,
(high >2 V)
BER measurement (option R&S AMIQ-B1)
Data supplied by the DUT can be compared with a nominal random bit sequence; the results are transferred to the host computer (via the currently used
remote control); the BER measurement can be controlled from R&S WinIQSIM™
and R&S SMIQ.
Pseudo random bit sequences29−1, 211−1, 215−1, 216−1, 220−1,
21
2
−1, 223−1
Clock ratemax. 20 MHz
I/Q Modulation Generator R&S AMIQ8
Clock sourceeach valid bit requires a clock, which is
supplied by the DUT or the R&S AMIQ
Sync period24 clocks
Interface
9-pin D-SUB connector, D-SUB BNC
cable supplied in addition
Data
Data enable
Clock
Restart
TTL
TTL
TTL
TTL
Setup time10 ns
Hold time2 ns
Polaritynormal and inverted (data, clock, data
enable)
Measurement timeselectable through max. number of
data or error bits (max. 2
31
bit),
continuous measurement
Measurement resultsBER in ppm (when set number of data
or error bits is attained), not synchro-
nized, no clock from DUT
Differential I/Q outputs (option R&S AMIQ-B2)
4)
Provides the inverted I and Q signals and allows a DC voltage to be simultaneously superimposed on the output signal.
OutputsI, I, Q and Q
Operating modesingle/differential, selectable
Output impedance50 Ω when on, 50 Ω or high Z when
off
Bias voltage (EMF, to ground)−2.5 V to +2.5 V (±10 mV)
for both I and Q channels separate,
common setting for I and I
or Q and Q
Resolution<1.5 mV
Difference between I and I or Q and Q <0.5% + 1.5 mV
Output voltage (differential EMF between the I and I or Q and Q outputs, unless
otherwise specified, V
Fix mode
Level difference I ↔ Q
I ↔ I
(Q ↔ Q)
Residual DC offset
)
p
2 V, same for both I and Q channels
<0.5% (at 1 kHz, after auto-alignment)
<0.5% (at 1 kHz, after auto-alignment)
<1 mV (to ground, after auto-
alignment)
DC fine variation
Resolution
±120 mV typ.
120 µV
Variable mode0 V to 4 V, separately adjustable for I
and Q channels
Resolution
DC fine variation
Resolution
3 digits
±280 mV typ.
280 µV
Digital I/Q output (option R&S AMIQ-B3)
Output
68-pin SCSI connector (mini D-SUB,
half pitch)
Channels
I and Q
Resolution8 bit to 16 bit (selectable, no marker
output for word lengths >14 bit)
Max. clock frequency100 MHz (if an external clock is used,
the internal delay time from 20 ns to
25 ns between the input clock and the
output data has to be taken into
account above 40 MHz)
Output impedance30 Ω to 50 Ω typ., high impedance
with low level at pin 66
Output levelLVT or ABT level (data, marker and
clock); the high level of the data, marker and clock signals is automatically
adapted to the selected supply voltage
for external circuits
Vcc output+3.3 V or +5 V
Remote control and memoryvia IEC 60625 (IEEE488) and RS-232-C
PD 0757.3970.24 ⋅ I/Q Modulation Generator R&S AMIQ ⋅ Trade names are trademarks of the owners ⋅ Subject to change ⋅ Data without tolerances: typical values
ROHDE&SCHWARZ GmbH & Co. KG ⋅ Mühldorfstraße 15 ⋅ 81671 München ⋅ Germany ⋅ P.O.B. 8014 69 ⋅ 81614 München ⋅ Germany ⋅ Telephone +49 89 4129-0