New 5G software capabilities added to high-performance oscilloscopes

Tektronix, Inc. has released its SignalVu 5G NR analysis software for 6 Series B MSO oscilloscopes. Engineers may now perform critical 5G NR measurements per 3GPP specifications on the oscilloscopes they rely on to bring up and characterise new electronic designs.

These RF system designers prefer 6 Series B MSO oscilloscopes for viewing power rails, digital control buses and I/O signals, and RF signals. Each channel is backed by a digital downconverter that allows spectrum analysis synchronised with time-domain waveforms. This gives engineers a time-coherent view of the choreography of signals that make up their designs. 5G system designers may now add 5G NR signal analysis to the company's oscilloscopes, aiding them to quickly diagnose faulty signal interactions on a single oscilloscope that would otherwise need painstaking correlation between multiple instruments.

As well as giving a synchronised view of various signals, the device provides the wide capture bandwidth and low intrinsic noise required for 5G signal analysis. Providing this performance on oscilloscopes reduces the requirement for costly dedicated vector signal analysers.

“With the integration of 5G NR, users have complete system visibility in a single instrument enabling them to debug even the most complex of designs, aligning with future specifications,” said Chris Witt, VP and GM of Portfolio Solutions at Tektronix. “We’re excited to see the early response from customers using this technology to test new DUTs.”

The company developed the new 5G NR analysis package utilising NI (formerly National Instruments) algorithms, a recognised market leader in automated test and measurement.

“NI was excited to work with Tektronix to provide multiple ways to trigger, capture, analyse, and diagnose complex 5G integration and design problems not normally available with a traditional VSA,” said Josh Mueller, SVP and GM of Portfolio Business. “Integrating NI’s 5G algorithms within SignalVu vector signal analysis (VSA) software to run on the Tektronix oscilloscopes and signal analysers will enable new value in customer workflows.”