Wireless connectivity defines the user experience for much of the technology we rely on every day, whether we’re logging into work from a home office, sharing content from our favorite streaming platform or swiping our phones at the grocery checkout line. The healthcare industry is no different and each year spends billions on wireless medical devices that perform essential clinical functions such as patient monitoring, infusion and diagnosis.

The medical field is conservative by nature. Nevertheless, it has excelled at designing wireless solutions to meet a range of use cases, from neonatal vital signs monitoring to a growing geriatric population in need of wearable and implantable devices. The outcomes are remarkable in their ability to improve the quality of patient care. However, embedding Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi components to accurately track glucose levels or securely transmit real-time patient health data to a nursing station is a complex task that requires core wireless engineering expertise that device makers may not possess.

This lack of know-how can create a blind spot in which med-tech companies may inadvertently neglect to adequately test their wireless devices as they graduate from a concept in the lab to the volume production line. The oversight can lead to device under-performance in which patients may experience poor connections and delays in clinical notifications. In the worst cases, devices may fail, which for manufacturers can trigger product recalls, compliance violations and an erosion of customer trust.

With adoption rates rising, the wireless technology landscape is increasingly complicated to manage as it moves from discrete and comparatively simplistic electronic components to highly integrated modules housing multiple wireless protocols such as 5G cellular, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® Low Energy.

Khushboo Kalyani is a LitePoint Product Manager responsible for wireless connectivity and cellular test systems. She addressed a series of questions that medical device manufacturers should be asking as they prepare test beds for their wireless products.

Which wireless technology is best suited to my product?

Khushboo: The choice depends on how much data needs to be transferred, how swiftly and over what distance. Medical devices carrying large data volumes that require reliable, always-on connections may be better suited to Wi-Fi. These include insulin pumps and devices for monitoring blood pressure and heart rate. Others, like blood glucose monitors and pulse oximeters, transmit small amounts of data just a few times a day and may be better candidates for Bluetooth.

Cost is another important consideration, with Bluetooth modules generally adding less to bill of materials budgets than Wi-Fi or cellular modules. Designers should also familiarize themselves with compliance and regulatory requirements that may influence their connectivity decisions.

What are the different stages of wireless test and how do they differ?

Khushboo: During R&D and design verification testing, the focus typically is on validating fundamental RF parameters. These include power output, receive sensitivity and Error Vector Magnitude across different frequency bands of operation.

During quality and assurance testing, the focus shifts to the user experience. This includes validating performance across real-world use cases and conducting co-existence and over-the-air (OTA) interference testing to determine if the product will perform well in the field. It’s important to test full parametric performance and not just rely on go/no go tests that only indicate if the device is functional.

Production testing requires an optimum balance of quality and cost economics. That means checking the device’s bare minimum functional performance and then testing multiple devices simultaneously to reduce the cost of test and expedite time to market.

There are two common denominators that cut across these different test stages. The first is hardware test equipment that is capable of scaling from lab to manufacturing. The second is a user-friendly yet advanced automated software tool that reduces RF testing overhead to minimize test-suite development and design and execution times.

What is the best way to comprehensively test wireless performance?

Khushboo: As you progress through the product development cycle, what you test and the way you test will vary. When designing a product from scratch, for example, it’s important to measure the performance of the RF transceiver in isolation to ensure it meets design specifications. Once the device is validated, it must be tested in its entirety. Real-world scenario testing entails attaching the device antenna and casing to ensure the final hardware and software are not impacting wireless performance.

Can testing help ensure patient data accuracy?

Khushboo: Hospitals and home environments can be crowded RF spaces, with multiple devices operating at similar frequencies. Interference can lead to dropped signals, corrupt data or incomplete transmissions. Even a small percentage of lost or distorted data can undermine the reliability of clinical decisions.

Interference testing that measures device sensitivity, Packet Error Rate (PER) and Bit Error Rate (BER) can indicate how often transmissions are corrupted under different conditions. Some throughput tests can also identify design flaws by measuring data transfer rates between devices on a wireless network.

Should I use an off-the-shelf RF module or design-in a chipset technology?

Khushboo: When you buy off the shelf, you typically don’t have access to the wireless chipset and controls for testing. That means you need to use the command provided by the module vendor, write your own software or rely on a test vendor like LitePoint, which has a test methodology set-up to quickly validate performance.

The choice is contingent on two factors:

Time to market: Off-the-shelf modules can be expensive but often reduce development time, as they come pre-certified and pre-calibrated. Generally, that eliminates time spent working with regulatory labs for compliance testing. On the other hand, commissioning a chipset design means working extensively with the chipset supplier to ensure seamless integration into your product. This can be a complicated, time-consuming process that adds overhead to the design process.

Form factor: Chipset-based designs offer better control over the end-device form factor by accommodating smaller, compact designs compared to off-the-shelf modules.

Whether you design your chipset or buy an off-the-shelf module, LitePoint provides automation software through the IQfact+ tool that supports the gamut of chipset-specific test packages and can be used out of the box.

Are there additional test considerations when I move into high-volume device production?

Khushboo: Many medical devices sell in the hundreds of thousands or even millions of units, so the ability to scale testing is an important step for accurately determining device yield. Just as importantly, designers want to make sure they aren’t incorrectly failing good units and/or passing bad units. An inaccurate test is as harmful as no test at all.

How can device makers better manage test costs?

Khushboo: If manufacturing volumes are high and test costs are rising, you should consider a cost-of-test analysis, which includes single-test and multi-test options. This can help manufacturers reduce costs and expedite time to market by determining how much time it takes to test one device as a percentage of overall capital equipment costs compared to how long it takes to test multiple devices in parallel.

What would you like medical device manufacturers to remember on their development journey?

Khushboo: It’s clear that the healthcare community is committed to discovering and delivering wireless device technology to improve patient outcomes. LitePoint has helped hundreds of customers successfully launch wireless products over more than 25 years by adapting a combination of hardware and software test automation tools to a range of applications. If there is one word of advice I can share, it’s that accurate, repeatable, scalable testing is a key step in achieving that highest level of care.

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April 17, 2025

[Blog]

IQxel-MX High Performance Wi-Fi Test System

For Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn), Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be), Wi-Fi 6/6E (802.11ax)

Industry-First Wi-Fi 8 (802.11bn) and Leading Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6 and 6E Test Solution

Modern applications demand determinism and robustness, beyond just high throughput. The next-generation Wi-Fi 8 (IEEE 802.11bn) builds upon Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be), introducing features for enhanced reliability and lower latency. Wireless devices like Access Points, VR/AR headsets and IoT devices require robust RF performance in challenging environments. This is achieved through enhanced modulation and coding schemes (MCS), distributed resource units (dRU), unequal modulation, and long-length LDPC codes for improved error correction, alongside existing Wi-Fi 7 features like tri-band operation (2.4/5/6 GHz), 320 MHz channels, 4096 QAM, up to 16 spatial streams, and multi-link operation (MLO). With the addition of Wi-Fi 8 support, LitePoint’s IQxel-MX solidifies its position as a long-standing dependable test solution you can trust for your critical testing needs.

Stay ahead of the curve with IQxel-MX as you advance your Wi-Fi 8 research and development and accelerate your high-volume production of today’s Wi-Fi 7 devices

The IQxel-MX signal generation and analysis combine high performance, simplicity of use and superior test economics to cover the test requirements during the whole product development cycle from R&D to high-volume production. The IQxel-MX family is available in three configurations: 2 ports (2 VSA/VSG), 8 ports (2 VSA/VSG), and 16 ports (4 VSA/VSG). These support up to 2×2 and 4×4 true MIMO testing (extensible for higher order MIMO) and high efficiency multi-DUT parallel testing.

Performance to Guarantee the Highest Wireless Device Accuracy

Industry-leading EVM ensures highest modulation accuracy
Superior power accuracy ensures device calibration precision
Expandable architecture supports high order true MIMO testing
Support for advanced Wi-Fi 8 physical layer features

Simplicity for Increased Test Efficiency

Fully-integrated signal generation, signal analysis, and RF front-end enable simple Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 8 testing in the 2.4, 5 and 6 GHz bands
Architecture support for multi-link/multi-channel (MLO) and coexistence testing eliminates the need for external components, greatly simplifying test setup
Flexible and intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI) enables both on-site and remote development

Economics for R&D, DVT and Manufacturing Test

Wi-Fi 8 support ensures long term relevance and lowers CAPEX
Turnkey test software solutions with IQfact+ enable fast time to market and a seamless transition from product development to manufacturing
Multi-DUT software architecture reduces manufacturing cost by providing optimized test throughput

Designed for Wi-Fi 8, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 6 Testing in the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz Bands

Continuous frequency range support from 400 MHz to 7300 MHz
Analysis bandwidth of over 320 MHz
Best-in-class residual Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) floor to ensure the highest measurement accuracy for 4096 QAM
Comprehensive testing capabilities for IEEE 802.11bn (Wi-Fi 8), 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7), IEEE 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6/6E) and legacy Wi-Fi standards
Support for test and measurement of advanced Wi-Fi 8 physical layer features including enhanced long range PPDU (ELR-PPDU), new MCS rates, 2xLDPC codes, unequal modulation and distributed RU
Signal generation covers OFDMA RU and multi-RU (MRU) assignments
Signal analysis covers all EHT PHY standard measurements for transmitter (spectral mask, flatness, frequency error, constellation error and more) and receiver (sensitivity, ACR and more)

Wide Range of Connectivity Technologies (Bluetooth^® and Bluetooth^® Low Energy 5.x, Channel Sounding, HDT 802.15.4, DECT, LPWAN)

Tests all Bluetooth^® device standards (1.x, 2.x, 3.0, 4.x), Bluetooth 5.x AoA and AoD, as well as the Bluetooth Channel Sounding (CS) and Higher Data Throughput (HDT) functionality
Connectivity standards DECT (ETSI EN 300 176-1), 802.15.4 PHY based standards including ZigBee, Z-Wave and WiSUN
Test support for LPWAN technologies LoRa and Sigfox

Turnkey Solutions for Leading WLAN and Bluetooth^® Chipset Manufacturers

Start testing immediately with IQfact+™ software solutions for leading WLAN and Bluetooth^® chipsets
Growing library of hundreds of chipset-specific test solutions save setup time and development costs
Fully backward compatible with existing LitePoint connectivity test systems

Available Technology Options for WLAN, Bluetooth^®, IoT and LPWAN

Wi-Fi, 802.11bn (Wi-Fi 8)
Wi-Fi, 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7)
Wi-Fi, 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E)
Wi-Fi, 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5)
Wi-Fi, 802.11a/b/g/j/n/p
Wi-Fi, 802.11af
Wi-Fi, 802.11ah (HaLow)
Wi-Fi, 802.11az Next Generation Positioning (NGP)
Wi-Fi, 802.11ba Wake Up Radio (WUR)
Bluetooth^®, Classic/EDR (1-4.x), Low Energy (4.0, 4.1, 4.2), Bluetooth^® (5.0, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3) and Bluetooth Channel Sounding (CS), Higher Data Throughput (HDT)
Zigbee, Z-Wave and Wi-SUN
DECT
LPWAN: Sigfox, LoRa

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April 17, 2025

[Blog]

Wi-Fi 7 Performance Depends More Heavily on Wireless Test Software

A little more than a year since it was certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance, Wi-Fi 7 is making inroads as the latest generation of communications technology to offer users ubiquitous wireless device connectivity. As each successive generation of Wi-Fi grows in signal complexity, companies incorporating hardware test into their Wi-Fi product tool chain are advised to give equal weight to test software to ensure optimal system performance.

Wi-Fi 7-enabled electronics, including smartphones, are already reaching store shelves. The Wi-Fi Alliance estimates that more than 233 million Wi-Fi 7 devices entered the market last year, with projections exceeding two billion by 2028.

Expectations for such rapid adoption are driven by the much higher data transfer speeds, larger network capacity and lower latency of Wi-Fi 7 compared to Wi-Fi 6/6E. As I noted in my recent blog on the state of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 7, also known as IEEE 802.11be, increases quadrature amplitude modulation by a factor of four to 4096 QAM, doubles channel density to 320 MHz and adds Multi-Link Operation (MLO), which enables devices to transmit on multiple frequencies simultaneously.

The significant performance leap dictates that automated test and measurement equipment generates and analyzes complex RF signals to ensure standard compliance, device interoperability and the functional co-existence of Wi-Fi 7 with other wireless technologies. This extends to test software, which, for better or worse, many companies traditionally have chosen to develop internally.

Wi-Fi 7 Stresses Conventional Testing Schemes

Without a comprehensive testing framework, Wi-Fi 7 is prone to performance issues such as latency, bandwidth and range limitations as well as interference from Bluetooth® and older-generation Wi-Fi devices.

At the physical layer, Wi-Fi 7 warrants more stringent Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) testing to evaluate RF transceiver performance. This is because the denser QAM modulation of Wi-Fi 7 accommodates more data bits per symbol, which requires a higher signal-to-noise ratio to maintain signal integrity within the given frequency band.

Tighter EVM tolerances combined with sophisticated signal processing, signal interference and device compatibility requirements mean that custom test software is no longer a practical option. Vendors of Wi-Fi chipsets and access points, burdened by engineering cost constraints and a general lack of in-house RF design expertise, are discovering that developing proprietary test automation software is a cumbersome and time-consuming process that drains resources and dilutes their time-to-market advantage.

These economic factors highlight the importance of an out-of-the box hardware-software test solution that is easily deployed, quickly integrated and fully optimized for multiple environments – from design, validation and testing (DVT) to high-volume manufacturing.

LitePoint Wi-Fi Test Software Reduces Customer Design Overhead

As the leading provider of Wi-Fi test solutions, LitePoint offers a fully integrated, non-signaling tool that measures the raw radio frequency performance of every Wi-Fi standard. LitePoint’s IQfact+ software test solution supports Wi-Fi 7 chipsets – and other wireless standards – with a user-friendly manufacturing test interface, tester control, device-under-test (DUT) control and data logging in one integrated solution.

IQfact+ taps into LitePoint’s library of more than 350 chipset profiles, which is by far the largest in the industry. And as a turnkey test solution, it can be deployed in hours, compared to traditional test automation options, which take weeks or months to deploy and require intimate knowledge of tester and DUT control.

The software is supported by a dedicated team of LitePoint application engineers who are embedded within leading chipset companies to optimize performance of Wi-Fi 7 chipsets and ensure compatibility with legacy technologies.

Software Test Paves the Way for Wi-Fi Preparation

Wi-Fi 7 brings significant advantages to consumers but introduces rigorous test challenges for device vendors. LitePoint’s IQfact+ is a turnkey software solution that reduces test development time while enabling device makers to retain control over the test processes that optimize the performance of their products.

With the greatest breadth of Wi-Fi chipset support from DVT to high-volume test, LitePoint’s out-of-the box approach to test automation means that manufacturers can focus their time and resources on bringing innovative products to market, not on writing test software or integrating solutions from numerous vendors.

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March 18, 2025

[Blog]

Scalable, Pre-Certified Test Strategy Is Key to Enhanced Wi-Fi 7 Performance

As we closed out 2024 in preparation for what’s shaping up to be a busy 2025, LitePoint joined a group of wireless technology experts for RCR Wireless News’ annual “State of Wi-Fi” webinar. Hosted by managing editor, Catherine Sbeglia Nin, and featuring industry colleagues from Cisco, Spirent and the Wi-Fi Alliance, the webinar explored technical considerations influencing Wi-Fi 7 adoption, including wireless test from R&D to commercial deployment.

The Wi-Fi 7 certification program was introduced in January 2024 by the Wi-Fi Alliance, indicating the technology was ready for mass market adoption. Wi-Fi 7 was expected to account for about six percent of the more than four billion Wi-Fi devices projected to ship worldwide last year, but by 2028, forecasts indicate it could represent nearly half of the market.

In large part, adoption rates will surge because Wi-Fi 7 has a number of features that distinguish it from Wi-Fi 6/6E. These include the doubling of channel bandwidth from 160MHz to 320MHz, higher speed thanks to support for 4K (4096) QAM modulation, and perhaps most importantly, the introduction of multi-link operation (MLO).

Unlike Wi-Fi 6/6E, which can only access a single frequency band at a time, MLO allows for simultaneous use and aggregation of different bands. This means that regions with access to the 6GHz band can use different channels within the same band or aggregate any combination of 2.4, 5 and 6GHz. Regions that do not use the 6GHz band will still benefit, because they can aggregate different channels within the 2.4 and 5GHz frequency bands to achieve higher throughput or reliability. That flexibility paves the way for Wi-Fi 7 to support immersive digital functions such as augmented and virtual reality, in addition to higher-resolution video streaming and the expanded network capacity required by IoT devices.

Accelerate Wi-Fi 7 Deployment Through Pre-Certification

Our customers use LitePoint’s scalable test solutions across the entire Wi-Fi development ecosystem, from reference designs, characterization and validation to volume manufacturing.

As we move from the Wi-Fi 7 R&D tooling cycle into commercial ramp-up, customers should be incorporating access-point pre-certification into their test strategies. Pre-certification testing ensures compliance with regulatory standards and interoperability requirements for smooth integration into the ecosystem to enhance spectrum utilization, power transmission flexibility and expanded range.

Pre-certification also protects incumbents in the 6GHz band by ensuring brands and their OEM and ODM partners adhere to FCC and other regulatory standards. This is especially important in the 6GHz band, which is host to many point-to-point microwave links used for essential infrastructure needs by firefighters, emergency medical responders, gas and water utilities and other public safety and law enforcement officials, as well as live news feeds that use broadband and satellite links.

FCC and Wi-Fi Alliance Create Access Point Test Beds

The FCC formulated transmit-power rules as a management tool by classifying Wi-Fi 7 access points according to low power, very low power and standard-power outdoor devices. This guideline for access points operating in the 6GHz spectrum includes automated frequency coordination (AFC) to avoid signal transmission on channels, or at power levels, that could interfere with incumbent services.

From an RF or physical layer perspective, this may sound simple. However, given the implications at the application level, the ability of a Wi-Fi access point to transmit at maximum power is significant. This is so, because power levels affect how efficiently the spectrum in use can extend transmission range and improve signal-to-noise ratio performance – both of which are critical for enabling dense modulation schemes and supporting advanced use cases.

To track compliance, the FCC and government bodies, in addition to the Wi Fi Alliance, have developed their own Wi-Fi 7 pre-certification test beds, which help devices align with FCC rules for Maximum Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) based on the bandwidth in use. LitePoint supports this effort through our IQsniffer software test tool. The IQsniffer, which is pre-integrated into the Wi-Fi Alliance AFC test harness, precisely detects the signal from the standard outdoor power access point and measures power spectral density to ensure the Wi-Fi device is operating within power emission limits.

Managing Wi-Fi 7 Production Economics

As with every advancement, device bill of materials (BOM) costs tend to rise until the technology achieves an economy of scale. With Wi-Fi 7 still in its early adoption stage, per-unit device costs are higher and compounded by other expenses, ranging from R&D costs to marketing spend. One way to manage BOM costs is to use existing capital equipment, an installed hardware base that is scalable to support parallel testing of multiple devices and a user-friendly software test tool like IQfact+ that simplifies test automation.

Manufacturers are always eager to optimize equipment throughput and production efficiency, and we’ve found that a multi-device test environment has helped customers manage cost, complexity, quality – and yields – across previous Wi-Fi generations throughout pilot runs and into volume manufacturing.

With consumers looking for Wi-Fi 7 to provide a gateway to a better user experience, brands and manufacturers are under tremendous pressure to meet expectations. A comprehensive test strategy and simplified, automated tools chart a direct path to maximize tester resources, increase production efficiency, reduce test costs and accelerate time-to-market.

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March 5, 2025

[Blog]

Scalable, Pre-Certified Test Strategy Is Key to Enhanced Wi-Fi 7 Performance

Accelerate Wi-Fi 7 Deployment Through Pre-Certification

Our customers use LitePoint’s scalable test solutions across the entire Wi-Fi development ecosystem, from reference designs, characterization and validation to volume manufacturing.

FCC and Wi-Fi Alliance Create Access Point Test Beds

Managing Wi-Fi 7 Production Economics

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February 18, 2025

[Blog]

3 for 3: Wi-Fi 8, The Future of Wireless Connectivity

Wi-Fi 8, officially known as the IEEE 802.11bn standard, builds on Wi-Fi 7’s advancements to deliver the next leap in connectivity. Our video series, 3 for 3, provides 3 answers for 3 pressing questions about trends in wireless test. In the latest video, LitePoint’s Khushboo Kalyani takes a high-level look at Wi-Fi 8. Watch now to explore what it is, what are some key features its targeting and how it will impact future applications.

VIDEO

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August 28, 2024

[Blog]

Tackling Wi-Fi 7 Design and Test Complexity to Accelerate IoT Adoption

A Q&A with Khushboo Kalyani, Product Manager, Wireless Connectivity and Cellular Test Systems, LitePoint

Q1: You’ve been representing LitePoint at various Wi-Fi industry events. What is Wi-Fi 7 bringing to the table that’s new and interesting?

Khushboo: At LitePoint, we expect to start seeing Wi-Fi 7 used more widely in IoT applications, which will be a key growth driver, in addition to more conventional uses in clients such as smartphones, access points, gateways, laptops and tablets. These emerging IoT uses cases could include Wi-Fi 7 adoption in devices such as smart TV speakers, home door locks and other smart home sensors.

Today, there are different technologies used by IoT devices. Approximately a third of them operate on low-power long range wide area network technologies like Sigfox, LoRa, HaLow, NB-IoT, CAT-M and such. Another third uses wireless personal area network (WPAN) technologies like Bluetooth, Zigbee, Z-Wave or similar. The remaining third or less use Wi-Fi. Based on what I’m hearing from customers, I think people are concluding that Wi-Fi can easily – and equally – serve the IoT category.

That is especially true among applications that are latency-sensitive, which will benefit from Wi-Fi 7’s new low-data-rate modulation coding schemes, MCS14 and MCS15. These schemes were introduced to increase reliability and maximize transmission range in the 6GHz band for low-power IoT devices.

Q2: What are the broader implications for IoT adoption of Wi-Fi 7?

Khushboo: In many applications today, Wi-Fi is already omnipresent. That has sparked a larger conversation on the adoption of Wi-Fi across IoT devices, where they can leverage existing Wi-Fi infrastructure and simplify deployment within industrial, home and enterprise applications. This, in turn, will facilitate scalability and minimize interoperability issues.

Key chipset companies around the globe are already leading the way with low-power W-Fi solutions.

Q3: How are these emerging Wi-Fi 7 chipsets for IoT applications keeping a tight rein on power budgets?

Khushboo: IoT devices do not require a constant active internet connection. With that in mind, Wi-Fi 6 introduced a feature called target wake time (TWT). This feature allows devices to negotiate when and how often they will wake up to send or receive data, significantly reducing power consumption by minimizing unnecessary wakeups. Although the feature was introduced in Wi-Fi 6, we expect it to take off in Wi-Fi 7 and beyond.

Additionally, chipsets can implement custom low-power listening modes, which enhance efficiency when listening for network activity and further reduces power consumption when monitoring signals.

Q4: What are some of the underlying technical advantages of Wi-Fi 7?

Khushboo: Three features stand out for me. First, is the new 4096-QAM modulation scheme, which allows for higher data rates by packing more bits together but requires higher signal-to-noise ratio or clean-channel conditions and increases radio complexity.

Another feature that is more functional is multi-link operation, which allows more efficient use of spectrum. This feature was not available in previous generations of Wi-Fi and will truly improve practical Wi-Fi deployment and can be used in Wi-Fi 7 and beyond.

For me, this is a differentiating feature compared to previous-generation technology, because it allows you to aggregate multiple channels, whether it’s a 2.4GHz, a 5GHz or a 6GHz channel, or whatever combination of spectrum you have available. This allows you to do a few of things:

Send different data streams across channels to increase overall throughput
Send the same data stream across multiple channels to increase redundancy
Perform dynamic channel switching in real-time to improve the opportunities for high-priority transmission.

The other thing multi-link operation enables is a more optimized use of the 6GHz band, which has not been adopted uniformly across all countries for unlicensed use. Now, whichever geographic region you’re serving, Wi-Fi 7’s multi-link operation will allow you to fully utilize your available spectrum efficiently.

The third important feature is preamble puncturing, a very useful capability that enables efficient spectrum utilization. It is particularly beneficial in the 5GHz band where an incumbent would otherwise prevent the entire channel’s use. By allowing transmissions to occur even in the presence of narrowband interference, preamble puncturing enhances overall throughput and spectral efficiency.

Q5: With the proliferation of Wi-Fi 7, what do customers need to know about test requirements?

Khushboo: What is driving change is the need for 160MHz and 320MHz test capability. In the past, 20MHz, 40MHz and 80MHz were the channel bandwidths available in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz spectrum and were deployed in a typical enterprise access point or home set-up.

With Wi-Fi 7, despite the lack of practical deployment, customers are still eager to highlight the capability of 320MHz or 160MHz Wi-Fi across six or seven channels. For that reason, they need equipment with the capability to test that much bandwidth either during R&D or as part of manufacturing or design validation testing. LitePoint has the equipment capable of testing with supreme accuracy at 320MHz and 160MHz.

Customers also need equipment with excellent error vector magnitude (EVM) performance that is at least 8dB to 10dB better than the device’s performance. This is to ensure that the tester does not introduce any inaccuracies to the device measurement.

Another critical aspect to test is UL-OFDMA. For this feature to work accurately, client devices must be synchronized to avoid interference and align correctly within the allocated subcarriers. From a testing perspective, this involves measuring carrier frequency offset and transmission timing accuracy to ensure synchronization within a specific tolerance.

Another important aspect to validate is spectrum mask for a PPDU containing punctured channel(s). The IEEE spec has defined a definitive list of puncturing patterns for OFDMA and non-OFDMA transmissions based on PPDU and puncturing bandwidth. When testing this, the idea is to measure the leakage from the occupied subchannel(s) into the punctured subchannel(s) to ensure it is low and will not cause any interference.

In addition to all the standard tests on power, transmit center frequency leakage, receiver sensitivity, spectral flatness and more must be performed to ensure accurate calibration and transmit and receiver RF parametric verification.

Q6: How is LitePoint engineering your test equipment to keep ahead of customer requirements? As they integrate multiple wireless standards into their chipsets, for example, are they expecting a similar level of integration with your test platforms?

Khushboo: We have seen integrated chipsets and modules supporting Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for a while now in the market and recently some chipset companies have announced solutions that integrate Ultra-wideband (UWB) technology as well into the mix. From a test perspective each of these technologies needs to be tested well, as their underlying implementation is different thus requiring different RF PHY characteristics to be validated, they operate on different frequency ranges, bandwidths and thus they may have different test times.

While integrated chipsets are advancing, the choice of test equipment depends on many factors, since the requirements vary significantly between R&D to production. As an example, generally R&D & design validation groups tend to have dedicated teams specifically focusing on characterization and validation of a specific technology which requires purpose-built testers with advanced features and accuracy. QA teams on the other hand may find some value in an integrated platform as their test plan includes end product performance validation, interoperability tests or coexistence tests as some of these technologies share antennas and common frequency bands. If you look at manufacturing there KPI’s are centered around equipment reliability, longevity, yield, throughput, support for customized automation tool, cost of test and test times as they can vary drastically for each of these technologies. As you can see there are multiple factors that play a role in designing a tester and the requirements vary based on the product development stage. So honestly there is no one-size tester that fits all and hence we work closely with our customers to see what makes sense for them in terms of technology, cost and more.

Q7: In closing, what sets LitePoint apart from other companies offering Wi-Fi test?

Khushboo: Our motto is “simplifying test through innovation”. As each generation becomes more complex, we strive to provide a simplified testing solution so you can focus on your product. We achieve this by building high-performance test systems and offering strong, continued customer support.

LitePoint’s comprehensive availability of automation solutions, the most extensive in the industry, sets us apart. Our IQfact+ software tool is known in the industry for simplicity and ease of use. Additionally, we’ve been the first movers in test to offer a fully integrated non-signaling solution for every Wi-Fi standard that’s come along. Our close collaboration with leading chipset vendors enables us to develop turnkey, chipset-specific solutions that meet your testing needs effectively.

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July 2, 2024

[Blog]

3 for 3: Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC)

AFC is a spectrum usage coordination system that manages spectrum use in the 6 GHz frequency band, particularly for unlicensed use by Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 access points, or APs. Our video series, 3 for 3, provides 3 answers for 3 pressing questions about trends in wireless test. In this video, Yuka Muto explores what AFC is, why it is important, and how it is deployed.

[Video could not be embedded, please use this link for viewing: https://www.litepoint.com/blog/3-for-3-automated-frequency-coordination-afc/ ]

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June 19, 2024

[Press Release]

Wireless System Testing Enhances Automotive Connectivity

By Yuka Muto

June 11, 2024

Diverse wireless technologies require car manufacturers to adopt comprehensive test support

The automotive industry is experiencing an unprecedented integration of wireless connectivity, which is transforming the driving experience by improving vehicle accessibility, safety, security, convenience and reliability.

In-vehicle wireless technologies are broadly categorized into three groups: secure access/digital key, infotainment and vehicle-to-everything (V2X). These technologies enable features ranging from real-time traffic updates, navigation and entertainment options to more discrete tasks like tire pressure monitoring, digital key secure access and vehicle diagnostics.

The adoption rates of different wireless standards vary significantly across regions, manufacturers and vehicle models, influenced by factors like infrastructure readiness, regulatory environments, consumer preferences and price sensitivity toward new features.

Automotive Connectivity Market Growth

Source: Future Market Insights Inc.

1) Secure Access and Digital Key

Providing secure access to our cars is a major use case for wireless technologies. Technologies like Near Field Communication (NFC) and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) enable secure keyless entry with features such as opening the nearest door to the user, underscoring the dual role of connectivity in enhancing both convenience and security.

The Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) was formed to facilitate interoperability and reduce market fragmentation in automotive connectivity. Its emerging Digital Key 3.0 specification is a remarkable advancement in vehicle access and ignition, incorporating multiple wireless technologies to enhance security, accessibility and convenience.

In a typical digital key application, Bluetooth^® is used for the initial connection, UWB is for the actual locking/unlocking, and NFC is available as a backup if needed. NFC can still function, even if the device’s battery is depleted, ensuring access in nearly all situations. A digital key also enables more flexibility and convenience where multiple users may need to access a car, for example rental vehicles and car-sharing.

UWB is a cornerstone of the Digital Key 3.0 specification, offering precise, secure and hands-free access control. By providing centimeter-level accuracy in determining the distance between the car and the digital key device (such as a smartphone), UWB ensures that the vehicle can only be accessed or started when the authorized user is in close physical proximity. This level of precision, together with UWB’s robust built-in cryptographic encryption, significantly enhances security by mitigating relay attacks where unauthorized users amplify or relay signals from a legitimate key to gain access to the vehicle.

2) Infotainment

In addition to secure access, wireless technology has many other uses in our cars. Bluetooth has already become ubiquitous in on-vehicle infotainment systems, thanks to the universal driver demand to connect their phones to the infotainment system for audio transfer. Although only premium cars are equipped with Wi-Fi^® today, the latest trends show carmakers are adding Wi-Fi to infotainment systems to all classes of vehicles.

Some of the technical challenges come from wireless channel conditions due to the vehicle’s small, confined space and the presence of various materials that can potentially interfere with signal propagation. In heavy traffic, wireless signals from other vehicles can also interfere with the intra-vehicle transmission. And, most importantly, as on-vehicle Wi-Fi relies on internet connectivity via cellular data plans, the on-vehicle Wi-Fi speed is limited by the cellular connectivity speed.

Despite these technical challenges, on-vehicle connectivity around infotainment continues to evolve, as consumers have a strong desire for the same connectivity and user experience they enjoy in their homes and offices.

3) Promises and Challenges of V2X

Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) promises to revolutionize road safety by facilitating communication among cars, pedestrians, other road users, networks and surrounding infrastructure. But its widespread adoption faces challenges, such as regulatory hurdles, compatibility concerns and significant infrastructure investment.

Despite these obstacles, technology and automotive companies are actively developing semiconductors and conducting V2X trials, aiming for broader adoption as semi-autonomous driving features and sensors, including radar and LiDAR, become increasingly standardized.

Given that car owners typically hold onto their vehicles for much longer than their consumer electronics, automakers are prioritizing future-proofing on-vehicle wireless technologies to prevent obsolescence before the next purchase cycle.

As part of this process, the automotive industry is navigating the convergence of similar yet competing wireless technologies. Consequently, many carmakers are hedging their bets by supporting both cellular-based C-V2X and 802.11p-based Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC), because neither technology has yet to “win” the standards battle. Even within C-V2X, in addition to the current LTE-based C-V2X, automakers are already gearing up for the adoption of 5G NR-based C-V2X in the near future.

Future Use Cases

Overall, there is disparity in adoption rates which highlights a challenge: while luxury cars increasingly standardize features like keyless entry (digital key) and onboard Wi-Fi, the full potential of connectivity is yet to be realized across the entire vehicle spectrum. Keeping up with changes in wireless technology is a challenge for carmakers, who are used to the more gradual pace and ten-year buying cycle of the automotive industry.

The evolution of wireless technology promises further applications, such as automatic trunk opening/closing, and “Child Presence Detection (CPD),” a UWB-based application that leverages motion sensors to alert vehicle owners to the presence of children or pets inside the vehicle.

As the industry moves towards EVs and automated driving, our cars are constantly producing more data. This all needs to be transferred, and monitored, efficiently, and wireless standards will increasingly replace cables – helping to reduce weight and decrease costs.

Wireless Testing Has Never Been More Important

The diversity and pace of this growing interconnectedness underscore the importance of rigorous testing of wireless components in cars – quality is vital, not least to avoid recalls. As continuous advancements redefine vehicular communication and access, wireless parametric testing – both during design and production – is at the heart of this evolution. More complex systems rely heavily on advanced processing, communications and control, making comprehensive testing necessary to ensure flawless connectivity performance.

Moreover, the integration of multiple connectivity protocols within vehicles is increasingly complex. These wireless technologies must collaborate rather than compete, resulting in higher levels of integration across communication standards. Such integration is essential to enhance functionality, improve user experience and ensure the seamless operation of increasingly autonomous vehicles.

As the leader in wireless test solutions, LitePoint provides comprehensive wireless test coverage, including V2X, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, UWB, and NFC. In fact, LitePoint is the only test vendor equipped to cover all three critical technologies in the CCC digital key 3.0 specification: UWB, Bluetooth, and NFC. With this comprehensive test solution portfolio, LitePoint ensures a future where cars not only communicate more effectively with external devices and infrastructure but also enable enriched, customizable experiences for drivers and passengers alike.

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March 25, 2024

[Blog]

3 for 3: Wi-Fi HaLow, Wireless for IoT

Wi-Fi HaLow is an exciting technology to address application use-cases such as security cameras, industrial monitoring, and a wide range of other indoor and outdoor IoT deployments. Our video series, 3 for 3, provides 3 answers for 3 pressing questions about trends in wireless test. In this video, Adam Smith discusses what is unique about Wi-Fi HaLow, where it is useful to deploy, and wireless test considerations for Wi-Fi HaLow devices.

Watch video here

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