New to RF: Measurements
This topic explains essential RF measurements that must be made on modern wireless communications equipment.
This 5-day lecture-based course explains essential RF measurements that must be made on modern wireless communications equipment - mobile/smart phones, wireless LANs, GPS navigation systems, and others. Functional block diagrams of the essential test instruments will be explained and demonstrated, including vector network analyzers, power meters, spectrum analyzers, digitally modulated signal generators and vector signal analyzers.
All of the measurements will be demonstrated on actual RF wireless components including power amps, LNAs, mixers, upconverters, and filters. These measurements will include traditional tests of power, gain, group delay, S parameters, AM to PM, intermodulation products, harmonics and noise figure. The unique measurements of wireless communications will then be made with PSK and FSK digitally modulated signals including spectral regrowth, constellation diagram distortion, error vector magnitude (EVM), and bit error rate. The demonstrations are performed by volunteers from the class (selected systematically as the course progresses - participation is entirely optional) under the direction of the instructors.
The RF Technology Certification program is based on material from our RF Measurements (135) course. The online program offers expanded coverage of basic principles (Part 1) and signals and modulation (Part 2), while also covering test instruments (Part 3) and testing of individual components in a system (Part 4).
Jan 27-Jul 25, 2025: RF Certifications Online, Besser Associates Online Academy: Presented by: Rex Frobenius Apr 21-Oct 17, 2025: RF Certifications Online, Besser Associates Online Academy: Presented by: Rex Frobenius Jun 16-Nov 14, 2025: RF Certifications Online, Besser Associates Online Academy: Presented by: Rex Frobenius Sep 22-Mar 20, 2026: RF Certifications Online, Besser Associates Online Academy: Presented by: Rex FrobeniusThis is part three of the online RF Technology certification program as a separate course for those who are only interested in these topics. The block diagrams and measurement uncertainties of key RF test equipment are explained.
: On Demand, Besser Associates Online Academy: Presented by: Rex FrobeniusThis is part four of the online RF Technology certification program as a separate course for those who are only interested in these topics. This part discusses system components, their impairments and the related measurements needed to assess their performance.
: On Demand, Besser Associates Online Academy: Presented by: Rex Frobenius : On Demand, Besser Associates Online Academy: Presented by: Rick Fornes