LitePoint Offers More Than 50% Savings Compared to VSA+VSG

NRG723, Single Chip WLAN SIP for VoIP

“LitePoint’s ‘one box’ solution enables us to perform the same type of testing as with a VSA + VSG platform, at a much lower cost. It’s more reliable and easier to use than golden unit testing, and more cost efficient than VSGs + VSAs—with savings greater than 50 percent. While some testing products cost a little bit less, they lack the flexibility and stability of the LitePoint solution, especially when it comes to controlling software.”

The Customer

Headquartered in Kista, Sweden, Nanoradio AB is a fabless semiconductor supplier that has developed a unique WLAN chipset, making high-speed wireless access available in portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, cameras, and media players. Key features include ultra low power consumption, a compact form factor, and unique support for audio applications.

The Need

As a start-up company developing the world’s smallest and most power-efficient WLAN solution, Nanoradio initially used golden units to measure system-level radio frequency (RF) performance. Unfortunately, this approach required fully operational system software. Particularly in the early stages of development, a complete system comprised of both hardware and software is not always fully compliant, which can lead to connection problems with standard access points.

To avoid such problems, Nanoradio needed a test solution that was not dependent on complete functioning of system software

It had to be able to measure both transmitters and receivers, and provide full control of power levels and attenuations. Nanoradio looked for a reliable, easy-to-use, and cost efficient solution for checking hardware compliance and fine-tuning its chip design to conform to IEEE802.11b/g standards.

The Solution

As the group responsible for the design of Nanoradio’s chipset reference platforms, modules, test development, and verification, Tomas Blom and his team purchased LitePoint IQview while completing their first WLAN chipset. They found it to be more reliable and easier to use than the golden unit testing they had performed previously, and more cost efficient than vector signal generators (VSGs) and vector signal analyzers (VSAs).

Today, Nanoradio’s test solution includes LitePoint IQview® 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN R&D Test Solution, an all-in-one test instrument developed specifically for RF testing of 802.11a/b/g/n WLAN products, and LitePoint IQsignal Analysis Software Suite, which is included with LitePoint IQview. Blom and his team use the LitePoint solution to test Nanoradio’s 802.11b/g solution for system-level RF performance as well as for RF-only and BB-only measurements. This includes hardware design work and design verification with the complete chipset, either as a module (i.e., NRG723) or reference platform that can be sent to customers. (Nanoradio tests all evaluation boards sent to customers with the LitePoint solution.)

The Benefits

High Return on Investment Compared to VSA + VSG: Compared to VSA + VSG, the LitePoint test solution is much more cost effective. “LitePoint’s ‘one box’ solution enables us to perform the same type of testing as with a VSA + VSG, at a much lower cost,” explains Blom. “It’s more reliable and easier to use than golden unit testing, and more cost efficient than VSGs + VSAs—with savings greater than 50 percent. While some testing products cost a little bit less, they lack the flexibility and stability of the LitePoint solution, especially when it comes to controlling software.”

Faster Support Thanks to Excellent Customer Measurement Correlation: The LitePoint platform makes comparing measurement results nearly effortless. Nanoradio’s ODM customers that use LitePoint can send waveform files, allowing Nanoradio to easily check results without the need for software translation. “LitePoint lets us compare ‘apples to apples,’ since we can easily exchange waveform files with customers,” notes Blom. “This makes it easy to correlate testing scenarios with our customers that use LitePoint. Having a common testing platform makes it easier to compare the various settings and sensitivity results, since different platforms define the signal in slightly different ways.”

Hours Saved Due to Automatic Testing: According to Blom, the LitePoint test solution is ideal for automatic testing. “Access to baseband signals enables us to test both baseband and radio as separate units, which is valuable for verifying each part individually,” he continues. “We have a clearly defined test setup and can easily verify the most critical parameters. The MatLab API makes it easy to implement all test cases.” What’s the upshot? Manual testing processes that used to take hours can now be completed in minutes.

Reduced Connection Problems Owing to Greater Accuracy and Repeatability: “With the LitePoint test solution, we can achieve a fairly accurate level for both transmit and receive testing,” says Blom. “This means we’re not dependent on the full functioning of system software, which helps us reduce possible connection problems with standard access points.” In contrast to external attenuators and the golden unit setup, which tends to drift over time and temperature, the LitePoint IQview test system gives Nanoradio the precision of power control, as well as accuracy and repeatability.

Easy Installations, Fast Upgrades and Responsive Support: Blom implemented LitePoint in just a few minutes with no complications, and has found upgrades to be fast and easy as well. He always gets a quick response from LitePoint’s tech support department, and with the opening of LitePoint’s European headquarters, Nanoradio now receives local support and cooperation.