SWRA370A September   2011  – December 2025 CC1100 , CC1101 , CC2500 , CC2510 , CC2520 , CC2530 , CC2530-RF4CE , CC2540 , CC2540T , CC2541 , CC2541-Q1

 

  1.   1
  2.   Abstract
  3.   Trademarks
  4. 1Introduction
    1. 1.1 Acronyms
  5. 2Standards and System Requirements
    1. 2.1 Standards
    2. 2.2 Test Equipment Suppliers
    3. 2.3 Radio Certification URLs
  6. 3Test Equipment Requirements
    1. 3.1 System Setup
      1. 3.1.1 Conducted Test Systems
      2. 3.1.2 Radiated Test Systems
    2. 3.2 Initial Considerations for Testing
    3. 3.3 Testing Reminders
  7. 4Software Setup
    1. 4.1 SmartRF Studio 7
      1. 4.1.1 SmartRF Studio 7 Start-Up Window
      2. 4.1.2 SmartRF Studio 7 Modes
      3. 4.1.3 SmartRF Studio 7 Device Control Panel
      4. 4.1.4 SmartRF Studio 7 Software User Manual
    2. 4.2 SmartRF Studio 8
      1. 4.2.1 SmartRF Studio 8 Start-Up Window
      2. 4.2.2 SmartRF Studio 8 Radio Control Window
      3. 4.2.3 SmartRF Studio 8 Software User Guide
  8. 5DUT and Test Instrument Information
    1. 5.1 DUT
    2. 5.2 Test Instruments
  9. 6Clock Frequency Tuning
    1. 6.1 HF Clock Tuning Utilizing the Internal Cap Array
    2. 6.2 LF Clock Tuning
  10. 7Transmission Tests
    1. 7.1 Transmission Power
    2. 7.2 Power Spectral Density Mask
    3. 7.3 Error Vector Magnitude
    4. 7.4 Transmission Center Frequency Offset
    5. 7.5 Spurious Emissions
  11. 8Receive Testing
    1. 8.1 Receiver Sensitivity
    2. 8.2 Interference Testing
    3. 8.3 Interference Testing with RF Generator
  12.   Appendix A Offset EVM vs. EVM
  13.   B References
  14.   B Revision History

3.3 Testing Reminders

These reminders are presented as general considerations for all users, regardless of the testing setup used in a given situation.
  1. The SMA cable connecting the DUT to the signal analyzer has to have a 50Ω characteristic impedance so it matches with the 50Ω of the SMA port from the DUT.
  2. The RX board must be shielded when performing sensitivity measurements.
  3. Good tests for the shielding while executing the sensitivity test are to increase the attenuation by 20dB to 40dB beyond the sensitivity stated in the product data sheet. If the RX is able to pick up the TX signal, the shielding must be improved.
  4. When performing these tests, it is better to keep the output power of the TX and INT radios at approximately 0dBm, and use attenuation provided by different attenuators.
  5. In the interference signal setup, it is better to correlate the TX and INT outputs by simply turning off the other output and checking the RSSI at the RX end. These tests should be performed with the transmitters in continuous transmit mode.
  6. RF couplers are asymmetric. The attenuation associated with the lossy path should be factored in. If a splitter (that is, a combiner) is used, it should be symmetric with equal attenuation on both paths.
  7. The interference signal should be in continuous transmit mode.
  8. If the carrier is unmodulated, the resulting difference in output power between the TX and INT indicates the blocking.
  9. If the carrier is modulated, the resulting difference in output power between the TX and INT indicates the selectivity.
  10. SmartRF Studio can be used to control either the DUT, the tester or both if they are compatible LaunchPads. By setting its transmit and receive parameters across the band being tested (Sub-1GHz or 2.4GHz), this tool allows for various testing procedures such as BER/PER Rx sensitivity, Tx output power and others.
  11. If a modulated carrier is used when testing interference on IEEE 802.15.4 systems using an RF generator, use a continuous MSK, 2-Mbps modulated carrier.
  12. Keep the cables/attenuators/connectors clean. Otherwise, losses in the cables can be excessive.
  13. When using antennas for radiated measurements, refer to SWRA726 before testing.