Rohde & Schwarz and Marvin Test Solutions create a turnkey production tester for 5G beamforming ICs

08/16/2019

T&M companies Rohde & Schwarz and Marvin Test Solutions have cooperated to create a unique turnkey solution suited for beamforming integrated circuits (IC) used in 5G mmWave (FR2) and satellite communications. The resulting production tester TS 900e-5G from Marvin Test Solutions is based on the new R&S ZNBT40 multiport vector network analyzer (VNA) from Rohde & Schwarz.

Beamforming is becoming a default concept in 5G NR and satellite communications. It is also a common technology in the aerospace and defense industry, the specialty field of US based aerospace test and measurement provider Marvin Test Solutions. The cooperation between the two companies began when Marvin Test Solutions showed interest in the capabilities and specifications of the R&S ZNBT40 by Rohde & Schwarz as the basis for their 5G beamforming IC production tester.

The new, industry-leading R&S ZNBT40 is a multiport VNA enabling fast, reliable and extensive verification and characterization of beamforming ICs with typically 5, 9 or even 17 RF ports. It is a unique vector network analyzer with a frequency range from 100 kHz to 40 GHz and a true multiport architecture. Besides testing multiport devices under test (DUT) like the beamforming ICs, it also allows parallel testing of multiple DUTs using its up to 24 ports. The large number of ports makes it possible to characterize a beamforming IC in full detail and see the cross-correlation effects while monitoring all antenna connections.

Major General Stephen T. Sargeant, USAF (Ret.), CEO of Marvin Test Solutions, said, “For the heart of our test set we selected the Rohde & Schwarz R&S ZNBT40 vector network analyzer over the competition due to its unique, cutting-edge capabilities. Our collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz enables our two companies the opportunity to deliver the best available solution to meet customers’ demanding requirements.”

Alexander Keck, Director of Product Management Vector Network Analyzer at Rohde & Schwarz, comments, “Rohde & Schwarz has a strong and long-standing tradition in making high-quality instruments. We are happy to be cooperating with a dynamic test house like Marvin Test Solutions on creating industry-leading turnkey test and measurement solutions.”

www.rohde-schwarz.com