Featured White Papers

The Impact of Cable Phase Stability on Precision Measurements

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 12:55:00 -0400

Precision measurements depend on stable phase performance in cable assemblies. This article explores cable construction, common phase instability causes, and practical methods to measure and characterize phase stability. Understanding these factors helps minimize errors, improve repeatability, and guides engineers in selecting the ideal cable for reliable, high-frequency testing.

How to Detect Signal Integrity Issues in Chiplet Designs Early

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 12:55:00 -0400

This application note examines chiplet design, outlining the rationale behind the shift to chiplet-based systems and emphasizing their cost efficiency and scalability. With practical examples and recommendations, learn how to navigate the complexities of signal integrity analysis of chiplet designs using the Keysight Chiplet PHY Designer.

Digital Pre-Distortion for Improved EVM Performance from Rohde & Schwarz

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 12:52:00 -0400

Are you an engineer who needs to boost signal clarity with digital pre-distortion? This step-by-step guide shows how to use the Rohde & Schwarz SMW200A and FSW to linearize output signals and improve EVM. Ideal for engineers optimizing RF performance in satellite and 5G systems.

Data Transmission Technologies for Data Centers and Corresponding Test Solutions

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 09:00:00 -0400

The rise of AI, cloud, and IoT is driving data center expansion, enhancing communication speed, optical modules, and storage. This document explores data transmission technologies, testing solutions, and the importance of measuring signals for compliance. Anritsu ensures efficient, reliable testing to support modern data center networks.

High Speed Data and Transition Test

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Data transmission beyond 56 Gbps raises challenges in design and testing, as discussed in engineering meetings and expert panels. This eBook explores key considerations for high-speed systems, including PAM4 implementation, BER evaluation, and optimizing transmitter and receiver designs to address complexities at higher data rates. Design News forthcoming.

What Key Characteristics Should You Consider in a Cable Assembly Solution?

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Serving as a signal’s primary pathway between components in RF and microwave systems, cable assembles are critical for ensuring reliable, optimal performance. This article reviews key considerations, such as amplitude stability, phase stability, durability, and flexibility, to help you choose the most suitable cable for your specific objectives.

Approaching Perfect Receiver Tolerance Tests: Using an AWG to De-Embed the Test Fixture While Embedding Channel Response

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Stressed-Receiver Tolerance testing (Rx testing) requires a reference transmitter that generates a test signal with specifically calibrated impairments combined with a test interconnect with a specified worst-case differential insertion loss frequency response. A test fixture is necessary for connecting the reference transmitter to the receiver being tested, the DUT (device under test). The test fixture may include cables, connectors, adapters, splitters, etc., whose response is necessarily included in the stressed-signal calibration. Calibration of the stressed signal is the most time-consuming and difficult step in Rx testing. This paper introduces an approach that has been effective in Rx testing for the HDMI and MIPI standards: Use of an AWG (arbitrary waveform generator) to embed the required test channel response and specified signal impairments – like jitter and noise – directly into the test signal. The technique simplifies the tests and makes them more repeatable: calibration time is reduced, and physical compliance/variable- ISI boards are eliminated along with most of the test fixture cables and connectors. We show how to embed channel characteristics in impaired waveforms along with common pitfalls, and then turn to a communication channel model for automotive standards that typically have long channels and disparate cables.

START for PAM 4 and higher: Self-Adapting Tool for Automated Receiver Testing - Error Analysis Helps Find Failures in Transmission Link Design

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Signal transmission in modern high-speed serial interfaces is so challenging that errors in the received data are unavoidable. Physical layer compliance testing ensures that the number of errors does not exceed the limits of the specifications in the test conditions but not necessarily in the realistic worst-case scenario. To test such a scenario and to recommend changes in the receiver to reduce probability of errors, we developed an above-compliance testing method called Self-Adapting Tool for Automated Receiver Testing (START). START finds symbol sequences that have the highest probability of causing errors for a specific receiver, identifies receiver design problems, and tests receiver with a compliant pattern causing maximum error rate.

Understanding Phase Noise Measurements

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 23:00:00 -0500

The poster, “Understanding Phase Noise Measurements,” provides a clear and concise overview of key phase noise concepts, including its impact on system performance, measurement techniques, cross correlation, confidence factor vs. noise floor, and advanced analysis solutions. Explore phase noise fundamentals using this insightful visual guide from Maury Microwave.

A Practical Guide to Load Pull Measurements

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:00:00 -0400

Featuring a curated collection of articles and papers spanning several years, the eBook, "A Practical Guide to Load Pull Measurements," is a comprehensive resource that covers critical load pull methods, applications, and measurement setups. From fundamental concepts to advanced techniques, learn how load pull optimizes the performance of RF/microwave systems.

How to Determine Oscilloscope Signal Integrity

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 15:15:00 -0400

High-speed digital designs require accurate measurements. Are hidden factors impacting your tests? Discover the best indicators for your oscilloscope’s signal integrity with insights from Keysight.

Optimize the Performance of Directed Energy Weapons with Noise Signal Generation

Wed, 15 May 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Directed energy weapons (DEW) emit intently focused beams of electromagnetic energy to incapacitate enemy targets. These weapons, however, often limit output power to mitigate destructive reflections along the fiber-optic cables. In this article, learn how additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) can optimize DEW performance during testing and deployment.

Measuring RF & Microwave Power

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 13:22:00 -0400

In today’s wireless world, RF signals are transmitted and received to effectively send data and facilitate wireless communications. Among all the parameters to consider in RF design, power measurements remain one of the most critical metrics for designers and operators.

Meeting PCB Technical Cleanliness Challenges with Altair® PollEx™

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0500

Unlock the key to reliable PCB designs! Altair® PollEx™ revolutionizes technical cleanliness design verification, ensuring compliance and efficiency, especially in automotive and aerospace industries where eliminating contaminants is critical. Download the white paper for insights on early-stage processes that streamline development and safeguard against malfunctions and costly recalls.

Designing the Best Reference Transmitter for Serdes Testing: AWG vs BERT

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Many choices go into the design of a reference transmitter for stressed receiver testing, and every choice can lead to unintended complications when it’s time to calibrate the stressed signal. The pattern generator component of advanced BERTs come equipped with internal noise sources like sinusoidal jitter and interference, random jitter and noise; multi-channel generators can even apply genuine crosstalk.

Noise in Traffic: Signal Emulation for Automotive Apps

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 23:00:00 -0500

BitifEye introduces the signal impairments required for receiver testing in the emerging automotive standards like ASA, MIPI's A-PHY, Automotive Ethernet, etc. From "automotive cable crosstalk" to "car noise" to "fast transient pulses," the standards specify different sources of noise in different ways, some as in the form of time evolutions, others as spectra; this article focuses on techniques for generating and calibrating each noise source. In the process, they describe advanced de-embedding techniques and address test equipment limitations.

The Importance of Low Phase Noise and How to Measure It

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 23:00:00 -0500

Phase noise is caused by an RF waveform’s unintentional phase modulation, degrading the overall fidelity of a signal. In this white paper, learn phase noise fundamentals, how phase noise impacts the performance of radar and digital communications systems, and the limitations and advantages of two different phase noise measurement methods..

Power and Signal Integrity Solutions

Fri, 14 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0400

With the ever increasing demand for higher data rates and lower power consumption, power and signal integrity are playing a larger role in the design of modern electronic devices. Learn how Noisecom meets integrity challenges with noise generators built for high-speed data applications.

Satellite Solutions Guide

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500

Noisecom has a depth of experience unmatched in the industry and works closely with technical end users to find the right product for their application with both off the shelf and customized solutions. Learn more how Noisecom can help in our Satellite Communications Testing Solutions Guide.

In-Design Thermal Analysis for MMIC and RF PCB Power Applications

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0500

Next-generation wireless communication and radar systems demand increased RF power within a smaller footprint to meet performance and size requirements. This paper discusses the impact of operating temperature on RF device performance and reliability and presents a thermal analysis solution based on FEA that is integrated within a dedicated RF component design platform.

Testing and Optimizing Transmitter FFE for Serdes Compliance and Debug

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 00:00:00 -0400

In this paper, we illustrate the fundamentals of TxFFE and the subtleties of using TxFFE in an equalization scheme that includes both linear and nonlinear equalization at the receiver.

Sigrity X - Redefining Signal and Power Integrity

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -0400

This white paper highlights Sigrity X features for SI and PI analysis that enable designers to cut design respins and meet short time-to-market windows with confidence.

Optimize Designs and Mitigate Thermal Threats in High-Current Automotive Applications

Thu, 28 Apr 2022 00:00:00 -0400

This white paper demonstrates a high-current motor controlling PCB solution for the automotive industry that utilizes the Celsius solver to optimize the PCB design, as well as electrothermal co-simulation to uncover thermal issues in the leadframe package.

Bringing Clarity 3D Solver EM Analysis of Complex Systems to the Cloud

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

This white paper describes the Cadence® Clarity™ 3D Solver Cloud, a straightforward, secure, and cost-effective approach to executing 3D EM simulations using the robust compute resources available in the cloud.

How to Select the Right Type of EMI Filter for Harsh Environment Operation

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Failing a MIL-STD-461 compliance test means everything must pause from marketing campaigns to launch planning. Do you head back to the drawing board? Use a filter? If so, should you choose a traditional filter or an EMI filter insert?

Testing Embedded Microcontrollers Using Multiple Types of Modular Instruments

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Embedded systems, used in applications ranging from toys to advanced aircraft, use microcontrollers to execute specialized operations within a more complex system.

Thermal Analysis of 3D-ICs with Celsius Thermal Solver

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -0500

This white paper helps designers understand the cross-fabric thermal and stress challenges introduced by 3D-ICs and how the Cadence® Celsius™ Thermal Solver enables designers to develop strategies to mitigate these impacts.

Thermal and Stress Analysis of 3D-ICs with Celsius Thermal Solver

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -0400

This white paper highlights the features in Cadence® Sigrity™ X signal and power integrity (SI/PI) solutions for system-level SI and PI analysis. Read on for more.

Sigrity X – Redefining Signal and Power Integrity

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400

This white paper highlights the features in Cadence® Sigrity™ X signal and power integrity (SI/PI) solutions for system-level SI and PI analysis.

Mastering Phase Noise Measurements, Parts 1-3

Thu, 27 May 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Phase noise is unintentional phase modulation on a signal that spreads the spectrum and degrades performance in many RF applications.