Device supports OTA test of Bluetooth LE devices

The Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) test specifications, when drafted in 2010 by the Bluetooth SIG, featured a direct test mode via a control line, but did not specify an over the air (OTA) signalling test mode. Yet many small Bluetooth LE devices have no port or interface to which a control line can be connected.

Looking to address this problem, Rohde & Schwarz says its CMW270 wireless connectivity tester now enables OTA tests on Bluetooth LE devices. The solution uses OTA measurements to verify the RF properties and performance of Bluetooth LE devices in operating mode, measuring such parameters as signal level, modulation and receiver sensitivity.

According to the company, the CMW270 supports the full range of Bluetooth RF tests and is said to be suitable for for development and preconformance tests.

The device features a parametric test concept that allows application-specific test sequences to be created. Its bandwidth has been extended to 160MHz, which also allows WLAN RF tests covering the IEEE802.11a/b/g/n/ac and 802.11ax standards, as well as tests of ZigBee components.