RF Lab

The main equipment of our RF Lab consists of:

• oscilloscopes for the visualization of single-shot signals (real time oscilloscopes up to 1 GHz bandwidth) and sampling scopes for repetitive events up to 50 GHz.
• vector network analyzers to fully characterize two ports up to 40 GHz. The ability to measure the input characteristics of each port of a device and the transfer characteristics from one port to any other are also given. With the time domain option available, mismatches in a device may be localized.
• spectrum analyzers providing frequency-domain measurement capabilities from 9 kHz to 50 GHz.
• signal sources delivering all kind of stable test-signals as e.g. swept, vector, modulated or harmonic signals, pattern generators as well as noise-sources.
• signal amplifiers (broadband low noise and power) are available e.g. to increase the range of test systems. Power amplifiers are available in the frequency range from 0.02 to 4000 MHz and up to 40 W.
• an antenna measurement system (azimut over elevation) to precisely characterize antenna patterns and to determine the direction of arrival of radio signals.

• an SMD (surface-mount-device) station consisting of a manual pick-and-place-system, an optodrill unit and a prototyping CNC drilling, milling and engraving machine for the production of PCB prototypes.
• numerous standard low- and high-frequency test and measurement laboratory equipment as well as active and passive components.

The CTL has a long tradition in radio channel modelling and measurement. The optimum design of (mobile) communication systems strongly depends on the knowledge of the underlying (directional) characteristics of the propagation channel. The development of the first broadband channel sounder at the CTL has been started in 1982. Currently we use the 3rd generation of channel sounders.