Keysight’s FiRa Consortium verification test tools have enabled device manufacturers and chip designers to rapidly test the physical layer (PHY) compliance of FiRa UWB-based products.

Keysight Technologies announced on the 15th that it has obtained FiRa™ Consortium validation for its automated ultra-wideband (UWB) PHY conformance test tool.

UWB, a short-range, low-energy wireless technology, is being rapidly adopted for secure proximity and location-based services used in smartphones and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices. Semiconductor and device manufacturers are seeking component verification methods using FiRa to ensure compliance with UWB standards.

Design engineers can perform a variety of UWB measurements, including frequency, time, and amplitude domain analysis, antenna characterization, and system-level testing, using an automated test solution based on the M9415A VXT PXI vector transceiver, which features Keysight's powerful PathWave Vector Network Analysis (VSA) capabilities, X-Series Measurement Applications (X-Apps), and signal generation capabilities.

This test solution was built on Keysight's expertise in radio frequency (RF) and microwave technology. An advanced Over-The-Air (OTA) approach can be performed using a general-purpose VXT transceiver platform to map Angle-of-Arrival (AoA).

Peng Cao, Vice President and General Manager of Keysight’s Wireless Test Group, said, “Keysight supports the FiRa Consortium’s efforts regarding the development of UWB technology, which is becoming increasingly important in various fields including asset tracking, location-based services, and secure access control,” adding, “We are supporting Keysight customers in easily and quickly testing UWB devices that meet FiRa PHY technology requirements through FiRa Consortium verification test tools based on Keysight’s Vector transceivers.”