Power Measurement

The Power Measurement test measures the power received by the SDR. This is done in 3 different methods:

• Time averaged power
• Frequency integrated power
• Normalized FFT power

Each of these methods have their own source of error associated with the calculation (see the individual pages for more information). However, if there are sufficient FFT bins, the sample rate is sufficiently high, and the applies signal is sufficiently above the noise floor (both time-domain and frequency domain) then these values will be extremely close (likely closer than any measurement uncertainty).

Test capabilities

• Applying a stimulus
• Verify input power

Data Saving and Plotting

• logging_save_test_summary: Setting this to True will generate a CSV file with the set power/frequency, verified power, and all three computer powers
• logging_save_fft_data: Setting this to True will generate an output CSV file which contains the FFT values computed during the test
• logging_save_iq_data: Setting this to True will generate an output CSV file which contains the IQ data taken from the SDR (this does not contain the conditioning samples taken before the real data)
• logging_plot_fft: This will generate a plot of the FFT computed during the test overlayed with the computed power values.

Possible equipment

• SDR
• Signal Generator
• Programmable Attenuator
• Power Meter
• RF Switch

Profile Categories

• Test Parameters
  • test_type = 'power_measurement
• Frequency Parameters
• Power Parameters
• FFT Parameters
• Logging Parameters