DSOXT3NFC/DSOX4NFC Automated NFC Test Software, N2116A/N2134A/N2135A Programmable NFC 3-in-1 Antenna

Keysight Technologies

DSOXT3NFC/DSOX4NFC Automated NFC Test Software

N2116A/N2134A/N2135A Programmable NFC 3-in-1 Antenna

For Keysight InfiniiVision 3000T and 4000 X-Series Oscilloscopes

Data Sheet

Introduction

Testing NFC-enabled devices is essential during the design validation phase, as well as during manufacturing test to ensure quality and reliability of data transmission. This is especially important when you consider that the data being transferred/exchanged between NFC-enabled devices is often secured financial transactions.

The Keysight Technologies, Inc.’s DSOXT3NFC/DSOX4NFC automated NFC test software provides thorough physical layer testing with fast throughput. Although the DSOXT3NFC/DSOX4NFC software does not provide complete NFC conformance testing, this software package is based on Keysight’s award-winning Infiniium oscilloscope conformance test software to provide a low-cost test solution that includes a broad range of the most critical tests to einsure quality and reliability.

The PC-based software controls a Keysight Technologies, Inc. Trueform waveform generator to produce a variety of test signals based on various NFC standards, and then measures the response captured by a Keysight Technologies, Inc. InfiniiVision X-Series oscilloscope with real-time sampling up to 5 GSa/s. Measurement results are then compared against published NFC specifications for pass/fail conditions. The DSOXT3NFC/DSOX4NFC software also provides complete report generation with statistical and margin analysis capabilities.

Keysight’s DSOXT3NFC/DSOX4NFC automated NFC test software guides you through the process of selecting and configuring tests, making oscilloscope connections, running tests, and evaluating the test results. This software:

• Allows you to select individual or multiple tests to run.
• Shows you how to make connections to the test equipment and device under test (DUT) based on a selected connection type.
• Automatically checks for proper test equipment configuration.
• Automatically sets up the equipment for each test.
• Provides detailed information for each test that has been run and lets you specify the thresholds at which marginal or critical warnings appear.
• Creates a printable HTML report of the tests that have been run.

The complete Keysight automated NFC test system for manufacturing test and design validation consists of the following four components:

1. Keysight DSOXT3NFC or DSOX4NFC PC-based software
2. Keysight 3000T or 4000 X-Series InfiniiVision oscilloscope
3. Keysight 33500 or 33600 Series Trueform waveform generator
4. Keysight N2116A/N2134A/N2135A 3-in-1 programmable NFC antenna (Poller, Listener, and Resonant Frequency test coils)

Design Validation and Debug

Keysight’s InfiniiVision oscilloscope-based NFC test solution has several advantages over traditional NFC one-box testers. During the design phase of NFC-based products, an oscilloscope is a core test and debug instrument used by nearly all R&D hardware engineers. Although the DSOXT3NFC/DSOX4NFC software runs on an external PC, the software license resides in the scope. This is important because the license also enables special NFC hardware trigger modes in the scope. This means that you can use the scope in a standalone troubleshooting use-model without running the automated test software. The ability to trigger on NFC communication can be an invaluable R&D debug tool.

Before moving an NFC-based device into production, design verification based on published standards is important. Having an NFC test solution that can be quickly set up and provide automated test results in the R&D environment, and then transfer the same test methodology into the manufacturing test environment ensures consistency between all product development and manufacturing test phases.

And finally, when things go wrong on the production floor, Keysight’s DSOXT3NFC/DSOX4NFC software can be used on the repair line as well. If a specific test fails on the production line, such as Poller NFC-B modulation depth, just that test can be selected to run on the repair line. When the test is complete, the scope is configured for that particular debugging condition. This enables the repair technician to quickly begin manual troubleshooting with the scope without having to manually set up the scope for complex test conditions.

Recommended Configuration

Step 1. Select oscilloscope

All 4-channel InfiniiVision 3000T and 4000 X-Series oscilloscopes (DSO or MSO) are compatible with performing automated NFC testing. The minimum recommended and lowest- priced model that meets specifications is the 100-MHz bandwidth DSOX3014T oscilloscope.

Automated NFC testing can be performed via LAN (Ethernet) or USB. All Keysight InfiniiVision X-Series oscilloscopes come standard with USB interfaces. The LAN interface is standard on the 4000 X-Series oscilloscopes. However, if using a 3000T X-Series oscilloscope in your NFC test system, you also will need to order the optional LAN interface module for this scope (DSOXLAN).

In addition to the above listed minimum system requirements, it is recommended that your 3000T or 4000 X-Series oscilloscope be running on firmware version 4.08 or greater.

Step 2. Select software

If your automated NFC test system includes one of Keysight’s InfiniiVision 3000T X-Series oscilloscopes, then order the DSOXT3NFC software license. If your automated NFC test system includes one of Keysight’s InfiniiVision 4000 X-Series oscilloscopes, then order the DSOX4NFC software license.

The NFC automated software can be downloaded from Keysight’s DSOXT3NFC or DSOX4NFC product website at no charge. However, running the software requires that the license be installed on the oscilloscope.

Step 3. Select waveform generator

All 2-channel Trueform 33500 and 33600 waveform generators are compatible with performing automated NFC testing. The minimum recommended and lowest-priced model that meets specifications is the 20-MHz 33512B with Option MEM. If ordering one of the 2-channel 33600 models, Option MEM is not required.

Step 4. Select antenna

For fastest throughput, Keysight recommends ordering the N2116A 3-in-1 programmable NFC antenna. This antenna provides a fixed 5 mm spacing between the device-under-test and the Poller/Listener coils. Also available is the N2134A with 10 mm spacing, and the N2135A with 15 mm spacing. All of Keysight’s 3-in-1 programmable NFC antennas (N2116A, N2134A, and N2135A) come standard with all required BNC/SMA cabling for interconnections between scope/generator/antenna.

Keysight’s automated NFC test solution is also compatible with NFC Forum individual antennas. However, testing must be paused between Poller, Listener, and Resonant Frequency testing for DUT placement.