Wireless Testing

DANT, ANT+

ANT (Adaptive Network Topology) and ANT+ are proprietary but open wireless network standards. They were developed specifically for low power consumption and low transmission rates over short distances.

Typical application areas are mainly sports, wellness, and health applications, such as heart rate monitors, speed sensors, and small GPS devices.

5G NR stands for 5th Generation New Radio and is the latest global standard for mobile networks. FR1 and FR2 are frequency ranges defined in the 5G NR standard.

FR1 (Frequency Range 1) refers to the frequency bands below 6 GHz. In general, the FR1 range includes frequencies between 410 MHz and 7,125 MHz. These frequencies were traditionally used for older mobile communication standards such as 4G LTE. They offer a good coverage and building penetration but have a limited data capacity.

FR2 (Frequency Range 2) refers to the frequency bands above 24 GHz, also known as millimeter wave (mmWave). Typically, the frequencies are between 24.25 GHz and 52.6 GHz. These frequency bands can transmit much more data and therefore enable higher speeds and capacities. However, they have a lower range and building penetration compared to the FR1 frequencies.

Together, FR1 and FR2 enable the operation of 5G networks in a variety of environments and use cases from densely populated urban areas to countryside.

Bluetooth is a wireless technology that was developed for exchanging data over short distances between devices such as smartphones, laptops, cars, and other electronic devices. It uses radio waves in the 2.4 GHz band to establish a secure connection. Bluetooth enables the formation of small networks, known as piconets, and can be used for a variety of applications including file transfer, audio streaming, input devices, and more. There are different versions of Bluetooth, including Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy, each with different features and benefits.

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), also known as Bluetooth Smart, is a low-power version of classic Bluetooth technology. It was developed to reduce the energy consumption of Bluetooth devices and is ideal for applications that only need to transmit data occasionally, such as fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, or other wearables. BLE enables a fast connection between devices and consumes significantly less energy than classic Bluetooth. Despite the low energy consumption, it offers a similar communication range to conventional Bluetooth.

Bluetooth BR stands for Bluetooth Basic Rate. It is the original and traditional form of Bluetooth technology that enables a wireless connection between devices over short distances. Bluetooth BR is often used in applications such as headsets, car phones, or wireless controllers. It offers a stable and sufficient data rate for many everyday applications and has established itself as a reliable technology for wireless communication.

CaT-M1, also known as LTE-M, stands for Category M1 and is a type of LTE (Long-Term Evolution) network especially designed for the Internet of Things (IoT). Compared to traditional LTE networks, CaT-M1 requires less power, offers longer battery life and enables greater coverage, especially in buildings and other locations where connectivity may be limited. CaT-M1 supports a variety of IoT applications, including wearables, sensors, smart home devices, and other devices that require a low to medium data rate.

DCS stands for Digital Cellular System. It is a standard for mobile communications that is mainly used in Europe and Asia. DCS operates in the 1,800 MHz band and is an extension of the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard.

EDR stands for Enhanced Data Rate and is a technology used in Bluetooth devices. It enables faster data transmission compared to standard Bluetooth technology.

EGPRS stands for Enhanced General Packet Radio Service and is an extension of the GPRS standard (General Packet Radio Service), which is used in GSM networks (Global System for Mobile Communications). EGPRS enables higher data transmission rates than GPRS.

GNSS stands for Global Navigation Satellite System. A satellite system that is used for determining position and navigation around the world. It includes a variety of satellite navigation systems, including GPS (Global Positioning System) in the USA, GLONASS in Russia, Galileo in the European Union, and Beidou in China. These systems allow a GNSS receiver to determine its own position and time by receiving signals from multiple satellites.

GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service. It is a packet data technology that is used in 2G and 3G mobile phone networks. GPRS enables wireless access to the Internet and other data networks. Although GPRS has a lower data transfer rate compared to newer technologies, it still plays an important role in certain applications due to its wide availability and reliability.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a satellite navigation system that is operated by the US government and originally was developed for military purposes. GPS enables every GPS receiver on earth to determine its exact position, speed, and time.

The system consists of at least 24 satellites that circle the earth in precise orbits and continuously send out signals. A GPS receiver (as installed in many smartphones, cars, and other devices) receives these signals and uses them to calculate its exact position.

Today, GPS is used in a variety of applications, including navigation, mapping, surveying, geocaching, search, and rescue.

GSM

GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communications. This standard was originally developed to harmonize digital mobile communications technologies. GSM was introduced in the 1980s by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and is now the most commonly used mobile communications technology in the world.

GSM defines not only the technology for voice communication and SMS (Short Message Service), but also the infrastructure for data services such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution).

The GSM network is divided into several components, including base stations, network control centers, and databases for managing subscriber information and roaming data.

LTE stands for Long Term Evolution and is a standard for wireless broadband communication for mobile devices and data terminals. It is often called 4G LTE as it represents the fourth generation (4G) of mobile technology and is a further development of the 3G and 2G standards.

LTE provides significant improvements in terms of speed and capacity. It supports downlink speeds of up to 100 Mbps and uplink speeds of up to 50 Mbps under ideal conditions.

In addition, LTE offers improved network performance, including lower latency, which is important for applications such as VoIP, video chat, and other real-time data applications. Radio tests include checking whether devices that support LTE can achieve the promised higher data rates and communicate correctly with LTE networks.

NB-IoT stands for Narrowband Internet of Things. It is a low-power wide-area (LPWA) technology that has been specially developed for the Internet of Things (IoT). This technology enables devices to communicate over long periods of time with low energy consumption.

NB-IoT uses a narrowband frequency spectrum to enable efficient communication and deeper indoor penetration. It is ideal for applications that only need to transmit small amounts of data and do not require high bandwidth, such as smart metering, asset tracking, or smart city applications.

NB-IoT offers several advantages, including longer battery life, improved indoor coverage, and the ability to support a large number of devices. Radio testing verifies that devices that support NB-IoT can communicate correctly with NB-IoT networks and fulfill the specific requirements of this technology.

NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It is a wireless communication technology that enables devices to exchange data over short distances (typically less than 10 cm). NFC is based on RFID technology (Radio Frequency Identification) and operates in the high-frequency range at 13.56 MHz.

NFC is often used in smartphones and similar devices and enables applications such as contactless payment, ticketing, or sharing data between devices. Another advantage of NFC is the simplicity of establishing a connection, as no manual pairing is required.

Radio tests are used to check whether devices that support NFC can communicate correctly with other NFC devices and fulfill the specific requirements of this technology.

Personal Communication Service (PCS) is a generation of wireless telephone and data communication systems launched in the 1990s. It is also known as a digital cellular system.

PCS operates in the 1.9 GHz band and uses digital technology, specifically Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), or Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), to transmit voice and data signals.

Compared to older mobile services, PCS offers several advantages, including improved sound quality, greater network capacity, and features such as SMS and mobile internet. The use of a higher-frequency band also allows smaller cells to be used, which can result in denser coverage and better signal quality.

The exact implementation of PCS can also vary by provider and region. In the US, for example, the term PCS is often used specifically for services that utilize the PCS spectrum in the 1.9 GHz band, while in Canada, the term can also be used for similar services in other frequency bands.

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. This is a technology that uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track information stored in so-called RFID tags. These tags can be attached to or in objects.

There are two main types of RFID systems: passive and active systems. Passive RFID tags do not require their own power source and are instead powered by the electromagnetic field generated by the RFID reader. Active RFID tags, instead, have their own power source, which gives them a greater range and the ability to store more data.

RFID is used in many different applications, including inventory tracking, access control, contactless payment systems, and even pet identification.

SAR stands for Specific Absorption Rate. It is the amount of radio frequency energy absorbed by the body when someone uses a mobile phone or other wireless device. SAR measures the rate of energy absorption per unit weight and is usually expressed in units of watts per kilogram (W/kg).

In many countries, there are regulatory limits on the SAR of mobile phones and other wireless devices to ensure the safety of users. In the European Union and Australia, for example, this limit is 2 W/kg measured over 10 grams of fabric, while in the USA it is 1.6 W/kg measured over 1 gram of fabric.

SRD stands for Short Range Device. It is a type of radio device that communicates over short distances. SRDs are used in a variety of applications and industries, including home and building automation, alarm and security systems, medical devices, and wireless communication devices.

Most SRDs operate in license-free frequency bands and must meet certain technical requirements to minimize interference with other devices. The specific requirements and frequency bands may vary by country and region.

In the European Union, for example, the technical requirements and operating conditions for SRDs are specified in the European Commission’s Decision 2006/771/EC.

WLAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network. Wi-Fi is a wireless network technology that connects devices via radio waves. Wi-Fi itself is a brand name established by the Wi-Fi Alliance, an organization that tests and certifies Wi-Fi products.

Wi-Fi allows devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices to access the internet when they are within a Wi-Fi network’s range. It can also be used to connect devices directly to each other, for example in a home network.

Wi-Fi networks can be set up in many different locations, including houses, offices, schools, airports, cafés, and many other places. They can either be open so that anyone can connect, or password-protected to ensure security.

The technology behind Wi-Fi is based on the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, which define different versions of Wi-Fi, including 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac. Each version offers different speeds and capabilities, but all use radio waves to transmit data.

WWAN stands for Wireless Wide Area Network. It is a wireless network that works over large geographical areas, often via mobile phone networks.

Unlike WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), which works in a limited area such as a home or office, WWAN can establish connections over much greater distances, comparable to the coverage provided by mobile phone providers.

WWAN technologies include 3G, 4G/LTE, and now 5G networks operated by mobile operators. They provide access to the internet for devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops when Wi-Fi is not available.

A WWAN can either be built directly into a device or added via a separate component such as a WWAN card or cellular modem. Some devices, such as many laptops, often have a slot for a WWAN card that enables access to mobile networks.

ZigBee is a wireless communication standard specifically designed for low-power and low-data-rate applications often found in home automation and IoT (Internet of Things) scenarios.

ZigBee uses the IEEE 802.15.4 specification for wireless networks and offers a range of around 10 to 100 meters. It is particularly useful in applications where long battery life and simple network configurations are important.

A key feature of ZigBee is the ability to create mesh networks. In a mesh network, each device can broadcast data to other devices, increasing network coverage and improving reliability as data can be sent over multiple paths.

ZigBee is used in a variety of applications, including home automation, smart energy, healthcare, and remote control. Typical devices that use ZigBee include smart light bulbs, thermostats, and security systems.