Radiofrequency (RF) Testing

DEKRA evaluates the applicable Radio Frequency (RF) requirements that electronic devices or components must meet to comply with national and international standards and regulations. With a wide range of supported technologies and state-of-the-art laboratories, DEKRA provides comprehensive RF testing solutions, from early R&D and Design Validation to final certification.

About RF Testing

RF testing evaluates the radio performance and spectrum behaviour of wireless devices and components. It includes measurements of transmission power, spurious emissions, receiver sensitivity, and protocol-specific behaviours.

RF compliance is mandatory for market access of wireless products, ranging from short-range radios to complex applications like 5G and automotive technologies

DEKRA’s RF services encompass regulatory, telecom operator, and industry-specific test requirements, providing support for pre-compliance testing, debugging, benchmarking, and final certification.

Our EMC Testing Capabilities

We support a wide range of wireless technologies and use cases, including:

Wireless Power Transfer (Qi, Apple MagSafe, proprietary)
Short-range: NFC, RFID, Zigbee, Z-Wave
Bluetooth®
Wi-Fi® (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be – Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, 6E, 7)
WiGig (IEEE 802.11ad – 60 GHz)
UWB
GNSS (GPS, Glonass, Galileo, Beidou, SBAS)

2G, 3G, LTE, Cat M1, NB-IoT
5G FR1 and FR2 (mmWave)
MulteFire, OnGo (CBRS)
TETRA
LoRa, Sigfox
Satellite Communications (e.g. Iridium)

C-V2X, DSRC, ITS-G5
Automotive radar (24/57–64/76–81 GHz)

Radio Receivers (AM, FM, DABand DRM)
Digital TV Receivers (DVB)
Emerging and on-demand technologies

Core RF Test Services

Maximum output power
Radiated and conducted spurious emissions
Band edge and spectral mask
Receiver sensitivity and blocking
DFS (Dynamic Frequency Selection)
Adaptivity
Power Spectral Density (PSD)
Occupied bandwidth
Adjacent/co-channel rejection
Intermodulation and interference response
Error Vector Magnitude (EVM)
CBRS & Wi-Fi 6 GHz AFC Protocol Testing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is RF testing, and why do I need it?

Which products require RF testing?

How is RF testing different from OTA or SAR testing?

What does RF testing measure?

What is RF immunity, and how does it fit into compliance testing?

What frequency ranges does RF testing cover?

What is the typical scope of RF Testing?

RF testing is generally divided into Conducted and Radiated measurements, which evaluate different aspects of a device’s RF performance. Both are essential to ensure that wireless and electronic products comply with regulatory limits and operate reliably without interfering with other devices.

RF Conducted Testing

RF Conducted tests measure RF signals directly through cables or connectors rather than through the air. This method is highly controlled and avoids the influence of environmental factors. Typical conducted tests include:

Transmitter output power – Measures the RF power delivered to an antenna or output port.
Frequency accuracy and stability – Ensures the device transmits at the correct frequency and within allowed drift limits.
Occupied bandwidth/spectrum mask – Verifies that the signal stays within its allocated frequency band.
Harmonics and spurious emissions – Measures unwanted emissions outside the intended frequency range.
Modulation characteristics – Confirms proper signal modulation and quality.
Receiver performance – Tests sensitivity and immunity to external RF signals.
Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) – Detect radar system and to avoid co-channel operation with this system.
Adaptivity – A automatic channel access mechanism to dynamically adjust it’s transmission behavior based on the radio environment to reduce interference and optimize spectrum use.

RF Radiated Testing

RF Radiated tests measure RF signals emitted through the air, simulating real-world operation. These tests assess the potential for interference with other devices and ensure compliance with emission limits. Typical radiated tests include:

Radiated emissions – Measures unwanted signals emitted by the device in open air.
Transmitter field strength – Checks the power radiated from antennas or wireless modules.
Spurious emissions – Measures unintended radiated signals outside the allocated band.

Many global RF standards require both conducted and radiated testing to ensure complete compliance.

Key Differences

Aspect	RF Conducted	RF Radiated
Measurement	Through cables/connectors	Over the air (antenna or enclosure)
Purpose	Direct device performance, precise measurement	Real-world emission and interference assessment
Typical Tests	Output power, harmonics, modulation, bandwidth, receiver performance	Radiated emissions, field strength

Is RF testing required globally, and how do requirements differ by region?

What happens if my product fails RF testing?

How do I get started with RF testing at DEKRA?