Mix Up Your RF Test Tools: Is there Room for an Oscilloscope in the RF lab?
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The signal analyzer is the tool of choice for wireless transmitter (Tx) measurements, at least according to conventional wisdom in the radio-frequency (RF) community.
But there is a problem.
Many new millimeter-wave (mmWave) technologies under development operate over bandwidths wider than a signal analyzer can directly measure. Emerging MIMO (multiple-input/multiple-output) technologies also need phase-coherent, multichannel analysis. This signals a shift in test gear strategies. In a twist that will shock RF engineers everywhere, the oscilloscope is poised to step in and become an essential RF test tool.