Rohde & Schwarz CMW Series
2 models with full specifications from Rohde & Schwarz.
The Rohde & Schwarz CMW series provides wideband radio communication testing solutions designed for cellular, wireless connectivity, and IoT standards. The product family supports a broad range of technologies from legacy 2G/3G networks up to 5G NR (FR1 sub-6 GHz), WLAN, and Bluetooth. Engineered to assist hardware designers, QA engineers, and manufacturing facilities, these testers are optimized for varying environments. This page analyzes the key design and functional differences between the compact, multi-port CMW100 and the fully integrated CMW500 benchtop platform.
- Frequency Range
- 70 MHz to 6 GHz (model/option dependent)
- Max. Modulation Bandwidth
- 160 MHz
- Form Factors
- Headless (CMW100) or Integrated Benchtop (CMW500)
- Cellular Support
- 5G NR (sub-6 GHz), LTE-A, WCDMA, GSM
Models in this series
| Model | Type | Dimensions (W×H×D) | Display | Frequency Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CMW100 | *misc | 341 mm × 75.5 mm × 182 mm (without handle and feet) | None (headless unit designed for remote control/external PC operation) | 70 MHz to 6 GHz |
| CMW500 | RF Communications | 465 mm × 193 mm × 517 mm | 8.4 in TFT color touchscreen (SVGA, 800 x 600 pixels) | 70 MHz to 2.7 GHz (extendable to 6 GHz via options) |
Architectural Design and Target Applications
The main distinction within the CMW series lies in the physical design and physical interface layout, which dictates the primary use case for each tester.
- CMW100: This compact, headless unit measures 341 mm × 75.5 mm × 182 mm and weighs between 2.6 kg (4-port configuration) and 2.9 kg (8-port configuration). Operating without an integrated screen, it is designed for high-volume manufacturing environments, utilizing remote control via Gigabit Ethernet or PCIe x4. It operates exclusively in non-signaling mode and features 8 bi-directional RF ports.
- CMW500: This is a larger benchtop tester measuring 465 mm × 193 mm × 517 mm. It features an integrated 8.4-inch TFT color touchscreen display (SVGA, 800 x 600 pixels) and an internal SSD. The CMW500 is suitable for extensive diagnostic lab work, supporting both signaling and non-signaling test environments with interfaces including dual LAN ports, GPIB, and an optional Digital IQ interface.
RF Performance and Signal Specifications
RF capabilities differ in frequency limits, level accuracies, and hardware upgrade paths between the two models:
- CMW100: Offers native, out-of-the-box frequency coverage from 70 MHz to 6 GHz. It provides a fixed maximum modulation and analysis bandwidth of 160 MHz. It supports continuous maximum input levels up to +34 dBm.
- CMW500: Features a base frequency range from 70 MHz to 2.7 GHz, which can be extended to 6 GHz via additional options. The vector modulation bandwidth is 40 MHz at base, option-dependent up to 160 MHz. ARB memory depth is also configurable, ranging from 256 Msample to 1 Gsample. The system delivers a typical absolute level accuracy of < 0.5 dB (< 2.7 GHz, level > -110 dBm), with a maximum safe peak input level of +40 dBm on the RF1/RF2 COM ports.
Standard Support and Integration
Both instruments cover an array of communication protocols. The CMW100 supports 5G NR (FR1 sub-6 GHz), LTE/LTE-Advanced, WCDMA/HSPA, and GSM/EGPRS, alongside WLAN 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be, Bluetooth (v1.x to v5.x), NB-IoT, and LTE-M. It also includes capability for GNSS simulation covering GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and Galileo. The CMW500 similarly supports legacy 2G/3G through to LTE, 5G NR, WLAN, and Bluetooth standards, making both models viable for modern multi-technology mobile and IoT developments depending on whether signaling or non-signaling testing is required.
Frequently asked questions
- Can the CMW100 be used as a standalone benchtop instrument with a screen?
- No, the CMW100 is a headless unit with no integrated display. It is designed for remote operation through a Gigabit Ethernet or PCIe x4 interface using an external PC.
- What is the maximum frequency limit of the CMW500?
- The CMW500 has a base frequency range of 70 MHz to 2.7 GHz. This range can be extended up to 6 GHz via configuration options.
- What test modes are supported by the CMW100?
- The CMW100 operates in non-signaling mode with multi-evaluation capabilities, making it optimized for rapid high-volume testing of wireless devices.