Configuring Clear Channel Assessment Thresholds to Prevent Wi-Fi Throughput Collapse
Configure CCA thresholds 6 dB above adjacent cell beacon power while enforcing transmit power control to prevent co-channel frame deferral and packet collapse.
Conductive RF Testing
Meaning
Direct cable connections between a radio and a measurement instrument eliminate the variables found in over-the-air environments. Conductive rf testing allows engineers to verify the output power and spectral mask of a device without interference from external signals or room reflections. Cable testing provides a repeatable baseline for the hardware before it is integrated with an antenna.
Signal Integrity
Bypassing the antenna removes the uncertainty of free-space propagation and multipath fading. During conductive rf testing, high-quality coaxial cables carry the signal directly to a spectrum analyzer or vector signal generator. This setup captures the pure performance of the radio frequency integrated circuit and its supporting components.
Interface Calibration
Compensation for the loss in cables and connectors is required to ensure accurate results. Precise conductive rf testing relies on a calibration table that offsets the readings by a specific number of decibels across the entire frequency range. This step ensures that the power measured at the instrument matches the power at the component pin.
Loss Measurement
Identifying the insertion loss of filters and switches becomes simpler when the antenna is out of the loop. If the conductive rf testing shows lower power than expected, the design team can pinpoint the specific traces on the circuit board that are causing the attenuation. This isolation is impossible during radiation testing where the antenna gain masks the board performance because the total radiated power measurement blends all losses together into a single value.