To properly evaluate the receiver part of a transceiver, it is necessary to be able to find the sensitivity threshold, i.e. the lowest input signal the receiver can decode with acceptable signal quality. There are several approaches to find the sensitivity threshold of a receiver, but the various methods require different levels of instrumentation. Since our costumers can be equipped with anything from a full RF lab to no equipment at all, this design note covers both simple and more complex methods. The design note uses CC1100/CC2500 to illustrate the methods, but the principles can be used also for any oother of our products.

The sensitivity measurements described in this document are:

  1. PER test using RF generator with packet option and SmartRF®Studio to receive the packets.
  2. Overview of PER test using LabView and dedicated RF generator with packet option (for automated testing).
  3. BER test with dedicated BER tester, using the transceiver in “synchronous serial mode”.
  4. BER test with oscilloscope to decide the received bit errors. Transceiver used in “synchronous serial mode”.
  5. PER test using SmartRF® Studio packet test and attenuators to find the link budget.

http://www.ti.com/lit/swra097