RF Record and Playback Systems 

RF record and playback systems enable engineers to capture real-world RF or IF signals and reproduce them in a controlled laboratory environment. This approach provides repeatable, traceable test conditions. By replaying authentic signal environments, including interference and multipath effects, engineers can validate the performance of receivers, radars, jammers and spectrum monitoring systems under realistic electromagnetic conditions without the cost and unpredictability of repeated field trials. 

The accuracy of an RF record and playback setup is driven by factors including instantaneous bandwidth, sample rate, dynamic range, phase coherence, timing precision and storage capacity. Novator Solutions’ platforms offer high dynamic range, precise time stamping and wideband IQ capture, ensuring that the replayed signals accurately reflect real-world conditions.  

Recorded signals are typically replayed through an RF signal generator or digital playback chain that injects the captured data back into the device under test. Novator Solutions’ systems integrate seamlessly with modular and standalone RF vector signal generators, enabling bit-exact reproduction of field recordings with correct frequency alignment, timing intervals and amplitude levels. In most cases, the test setups are cabled, although in some cases RF signals may be replayed over-the-air, in an anechoic chamber, for example.  

RF record and playback is used in a wide range of test and evaluation tasks, including: 

• Radar receiver testing with authentic threats and clutter  

• EW and spectrum monitoring receiver evaluation with real communications, radars and other electronic signals 

• 5G/6G and SATCOM systems using real-world interference and multipath scenarios