Tektronix, Inc. has announced a new oscilloscope software application for validating all types of ultra-wideband (UWB) devices from new generations of secure communications to consumer electronics. Known as TDSUWB, the software utility extends the debug and analysis capabilities of the Tektronix TDS6000C to include real-time analysis of UWB RF and electrical signals. TDSUWB assists the design and debug of UWB signals in real time for a variety of applications. Extensions for the WiMedia Alliances’ UWB Common Radio Platform offer single-button tests such as automatic bandgroup detection (patent pending) and power spectral density (PSD) mask tests.

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The software is available as TDSUWB and TDSUWB+WiMedia. TDSUWB adds wideband spectral analysis capabilities to the TDS6000C oscilloscopes for evaluating and debugging UWB communications and radar in real time. Analyzing changes in frequency with time is also applicable to a wide variety of electrical and optical signals. The TDSUWB+WiMedia software provides additional capabilities focusing on testing WiMedia radio bandgroups. TDSUWB+WiMedia software automatically identifies time frequency code (TFC),—frequency of operation and hopping sequence—selects the correct PSD mask for that TFC, performs the PSD mask test, and measures channel power.

Jeff Ravencraft, an Intel technology strategist and chairman of USB-IF, has remarked that the combination of Tektronix' TDSUWB and WiMedia software is expected to accelerate the development of products based on Certified Wireless USB and the WiMedia Alliance Common Radio Platform. The TDSUWB software utility is available for a limited time at no cost.