BLE pre-compliance test setup in 2022?...........

[Smokey]

Hey Guys,
I'm in need of a basic test equipment setup for doing pre-compliance evaluation of a board that includes a Bluetooth low-energy SoC.  I'm not using a pre-tested module, and everything is laid out on the PCB with a chip antenna.  I followed the reference designs, and the board works on the bench with connected devices showing good BLE connections, but I want to have a better idea of how the compliance testing will go (and tune my matching network if needed).

What does a basic pre-compliance test equipment setup for BLE devices look like these days?  Considering I'm not an RF guy, I would also appreciate some software that has a decent test setup and analysis capabilities that doesn't assume I'm too much of an expert or require me to write extensive analysis scripts.

I found this thread, but he's specifically talking about SMPS being the target, where I'm an intentional 2.4GHz radiator: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/pre-compliance-setup/

What would you recommend for a basic BLE pre-compliance test equipment setup in 2022?

[Smokey]

Monday bump.  Does anyone have a reasonably priced package deal like that expired siglent deal (or some equivalent set of stuff)  that would work for BLE pre-compliance? 

[tautech]

Monday bump.  Does anyone have a reasonably priced package deal like that expired siglent deal (or some equivalent set of stuff)  that would work for BLE pre-compliance?

Have a hunt around dealers to see if any still have stock available.
https://siglentna.com/news-article/a-new-bundle-for-emi-pre-compliance-test-2/
Find your local dealers here:
https://siglentna.com/how-to-buy/

We recognized it as a good deal and stocked up with a few and still have some left but only for our NZ market, sorry.

[nctnico]

Monday bump.  Does anyone have a reasonably priced package deal like that expired siglent deal (or some equivalent set of stuff)  that would work for BLE pre-compliance?

You'll likely need to measure emissions using masks as well (be sure not to transmit too much out of band). You can probably do this with a spectrum analyser but a radio signal analyser (spectrum analyser with some more analysis features bolted onto it) could be a tool more suitable for the job.

However, if you are not well versed into RF then the best way forward is to book half a day at a test lab and do some testing to see how far you are off. Learn as much as you can and make sure you get the graphs from the measurements and indications that show at what point your device doesn't comply. Using that, you can start doing improvements in your own lab but these will likely be comparative in nature. The BLE testing is likely done in a shielded room with calibrated antennas. Not cheap to procure (renting the accredited lab is likely cheaper) and may not yield the same absolute results as the actual compliance test.

[Kean]

If you used a common BLE solution and followed the reference design then you are unlikely to have big issues with the BLE portion.  Even if you do, you would likely only see it in a test chamber to attenuate all the other 2.4GHz signals in your environment.

You certainly should get a VNA or antenna analyzer to match the antenna before doing any paid testing, as that kind of change will invalidate the tests.  You could probably do that with a low cost VNA, but something like the Siglent 3.2GHz SSA/SVA models would be a good choice to provide the option for a bunch of RF learning and measurements in the future.

What other things are in the design?
Is it battery or externally powered?
Does it have any DC/DC converters or high current PWM stuff going on?
What about connecting cables that could conduct or radiate stuff?

In general, I'd point you to Tekbox for their low cost RF probes, antennas, TEM cells, amplifiers, and also their testing software to automate measurements.  Start reading about them on their website and various reviews here and there, but don't jump in and buy "all the things" until you are sure you can make use of them... speaking from experience   

[Smokey]

This is interesting: https://www.batronix.com/files/Rigol/App-Note_RIGOL-RSAxxxN-EMI-Mode_20210909.pdf

Question: At what point does it makes sense to jump from the Rigol class instruments to the Rohde & Schwarz/Tek/Keysight classes?  Is there a clear pricepoint break here?

[Smokey]

Similar questions I missed earlier: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/rsa3015e-opinion/