Convenient BER Analysis
Option UN7 integrates an internal bit error rate (BER) analyzer with leading-edge baseband and RF vector signal generation. This combination enables quick and convenient performance evaluation of components, receivers, and subsystems under various signal conditions. Simply apply an appropriate test stimulus from the ESG to the device under test (DUT). Once your device has demodulated and decoded the test stimulus, feed the baseband continuous pseudo random bit sequence (PRBS) data and clock signals to the internal BER analyzer for examination. The internal BER analyzer has no knowledge of the test signal transmitted from the ESG, but is capable of automatically synchronizing to and analyzing continuous PRBS data (PRBS 9, 11, 15, 20 and 23 only). View image
A suitable vector modulated RF and/or I/Q test stimulus transmitting continuous PRBS data is readily created using the internal baseband generator's real-time custom modulation application or any of the ESG's signal creation applications that supply a continuous PRBS payload.
Precise control over which bits are examined is essential to recover and analyze a continuous PRBS transmitted in a TDMA format or embedded in the payload of a framed or packet-based transmission. These transmission schemes result in a continuous PRBS that is discontinuous in time or is surrounded by header and/or tail bits. Recovery is easily achieved with a user-supplied gate signal, which enables the BER analyzer only during valid PRBS data transmissions and disables analysis during transmission discontinuities and/or non-PRBS data transmissions. Delay control is provided to fine tune the gate signal's edge alignment with the incoming continuous PRBS data.
Typical Applications
The internal BER analyzer is recommended to evaluate component, receiver, and subsystem performance characteristics early in the development cycle with a complex vector test stimulus. As digital communications technology continues to evolve, the ability to measure BER is becoming increasingly important. BER is now commonly used to set the boundary conditions of receiver performance requirements and referred to as a figure of merit to quantify and market common receiver performance metrics, such as sensitivity, selectivity, out-of-band blocking, and maximum input level.
This option can be added as a product upgrade.