Keithley Instruments has introduced a set of signal creation and analysis tools that extend its RF test capabilities to include Wimax signal testing.

The hardware system makes it more cost effective to add support for new signal standards, such as 802.16e mobile WiMAX Wave 2 testing with up to 4x4 MIMO channels, without requiring expensive hardware upgrades or different instrumentation.

The instruments also support testing to lower frequency bands down to 400MHz, an increasingly important capability for new WiMAX solutions being developed.

The RF test system is based on the company's 2820 RF Vector Signal Analysers and Model 2920 RF Vector Signal Generators.

The instrument's DSP-based software defined radio (SDR) architecture makes the system flexible for upgrading as new wireless and cellular standards are introduced. 

Keithley's test systems provide frequency coverage from 400MHz to 4GHz and to 6GHz if WLAN measurements are needed. Coverage in the lower frequencies, below 2.4GHz, has become more important recently, as the 400-700MHz bands are being opened for new mobile wireless communications services where WiMAX solutions are likely to be employed.

See http://www.keithley.com