Stand Alone Instruments

Baby Instruments for Songwriters and Musicmakers

2008-09-25T00:10:00.002-07:00

Looking for a musical instrument to inspire you?

There are so many beautiful musical instruments around for musicmakers. I have a soft spot for baby instruments - beautifully crafted, easily stored and surprisingly cheap.

These small scale instruments - often called travel instruments, baby instruments or mini instruments - offer intimacy and easy handling to songwriters and musicmakers at the day job, crooners on the back porch and dreamers in small bedrooms!

The lower prices of baby instruments suit both professionals wanting a unique sound and beginners wanting a small instrument to play often

How can it be that something smaller is cheaper? From my experience of building model aeroplanes as a kid, 'smaller' involves so much more effort. (Or was it just the glue?) But much of the baby instrument range is priced low enough to warrant building a little creche of 'babies'. And that way they can play together when you're busy.

The size of these travel musical instruments make it possible to have several in your life without clutter

Baby instruments fit discreetly in the corner of your workplace or studio allowing you to take a break and 'have a blow'. (Imagine lawyers, truckies and childcare workers grabbing a moment to strum their baby mandos or strumsticks to ease tension and bring a little magic into the day!)

Baby instruments are not toys. They have a tangy sound each of their own by nature of the scale and materials used. I love the sweetness and intimacy that these little babies evoke. It's the musical version of 'oh she's so beautiful' usuually bestowed on little animals and humans!

Baby instruments help save songwriters and arrangers from 'Writer's Block'

For songwriters the perfect antedote to 'writer's block' (we'll talk about that myth another time) is to move between musical instruments to find a new insight and to release the 'block'. So, widen your soundscape - go into unexplored territory.Often playing an instrument you are NOT proficient at leads you to exciting new places in your musicmaking. And we all know how great a teacher a chord book can be in helping us approximate ease and competence on our instruments!

Choose your baby musical instrument of choice and then something way out of your experience from guitars, basses, ukeleles, accordians, banjos and melodicas! Having a selection of beautiful baby instruments will keep you inspired for ages! And in the digital age of 'small is beautiful' you'll get lots of kudos for your socially relevant choice of a baby instrument. Yeah that's right, you'll be the point of interest wherever you go with your 'baby'.

Andrea rieniets works as a singer/songwriter/composer/producer/musical director/community artist in Australia. 'A rarity amongst Australian musicians.' Black and White Magazine. Her blog is Crikeymoses! Tips and tools for Creatives - getting your expression and activism out into the world where you live! Andrea's gorgeous music can be heard at gorgeousworld.com 'Intensely tuneful songwriter with a swag of techno savvy' Rolling Stone

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Rieniets

Choosing The Right Musical Instrument For You

2008-09-25T00:10:00.001-07:00

If music is your middle name, then musical instruments are sure to adorn your room. Music is an excellent way to get rid of the blues. And if you are the creative type, then you can compose your own songs with musical instruments.

Musical instruments are mainly categorized by the way they generate sound. All musical instruments fall under one of the following – string, wind, percussion and keyboard, though there may be further divisions and sub-divisions. Examples of string instruments include guitars, violins, ukuleles and cellos. Wind instruments include pipes, sax, clarinet, flute and such other types. Drums, bongos, cymbals and bells fall under the percussions category. And keyboard instruments include pianos, harpsichords, organs and accordions. Over 1000 musical instruments are available across the world, including folk instruments.

If you want to play on your own, then it is better to start with a musical instrument you like, and then gradually master the instrument by joining music classes. If you like music in general and are not interested in specializing in any particular type of instrument then a keyboard can be the perfect choice. Electronic keyboards nowadays can produce all sorts of sound ranging from guitar tunes to drum beats. A variety of DJ equipments are also available on the market nowadays, which provide creative sound mixing options for the wannabe DJs as well as for the experienced disc jockeys.

On the other hand, if you were thinking of organizing a band then you would need different types of musical instruments. A band normally includes a couple of string instruments, percussions and preferably a wind instrument.

You can purchase your musical instruments online. Choose your favorite instrument from the various websites that you will find on the internet. They often offer discounts if you buy their package deals, which include various types of musical instruments. This can be your best option if you are planning a band with your friends.

Musical instruments can be a costly affair, especially if you are planning to buy the best available on the market. These can set you back by anything from $100 to over $10000. A good Yamaha or Roland electronic keyboard may cost almost $2500. Used musical instruments are often a good choice, especially if you are learning to play a new instrument. For beginners it is advisable to invest in musical instruments in the lower price range.

Musical instruments can also be made at home with items of daily use. Homemade musical instruments mainly fall under the category of percussion instruments. You can make almost anything, from shakers and jingle bracelets to drums and tambourines. You can also make wind instruments such as comb harmonica or kazoo. These help your child to be creative and can keep them busy. And you can now have your own band at home.

If you're thinking of buying an accordion or an ukulele, come visit Susan's sites All About Accordions and All About Ukuleles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Jan

Musical Instruments Stir Life In The Souls Of Millions Of People Throughout The Globe

2008-09-25T00:10:00.000-07:00

You might have not played a musical instrument in your life but you must have heard a lot of songs and the stunning performances by the different singers and the playback music played by the professionals just lifts one off their feet. This is what music does to the people, it just stirs life inside them. There is another saying that music is a universal language and if you are listening to a song in a different language, then the only thing you are able to understand is the emotions flowing out of music.

Now let us go through the different kinds of musical instruments that have been made through time. The different instruments include string instruments, wind instruments, percussion instruments, lamellophones, electronic instruments, keyboard instruments, friction instruments. The language of music has been prevailing for a long time. It has been a source of expressing oneself through centuries. An interesting fact about musical instruments is that they are mentioned in the Egyptian inscriptions and the Bible and it is believed that the use of musical instruments predates them.

You would be amazed to hear that musical instruments are found in China, which are nine thousand years old and those were flutes made from animal bones, isn’t it an amazing fact about musical instruments. If you are interested in learning a musical instrument, then you need to know as to what type or category you would like the most, either a guitar, flute, drums, etc. and once you have established your inclination towards the right instrument, then you can start learning it and believe that you can do it. Your passion will lead you to a glorified career and if you do not want to pursue as a career, this skill would always be with you.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for birthday party supplies and fun party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Themes including Party Supplies to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gail_Leino

Handheld testers cover many BERT requirements

2008-08-20T21:59:00.000-07:00

The LinkTest Single, LinkTest Single + and LinkTest Dual are designed to fulfil the requirements of a broad range of applications.

A new range of compact handheld bit error rate testers from GL Communications can be used to test a wide variety of communications facilities and equipment types There are three basic units in the LinkTest range The LinkTest Single unit can test asynchronous, synchronous, T1, fractional T1, E1, fractional E1, modems, multiplexers, CSU/DSUs, T1 ESF CSUs, DU, NTUs and TIUs.

The unit is supplied with V.35, RS232, RS422/RS530, X.21, DS1 (T1, 1.544Mbit/s) and G.703 (E1, 2.048Mbit/s) interfaces, and it also supplied with a wall-mounted AC transformer.

The LinkTest Single+ unit adds T3 and E3 testing capability.

The LinkTest Dual unit adds dual interface testing capability.

According to Senior Product Manager Rob Bichefsky: "The LinkTest Single, LinkTest Single + and LinkTest Dual are designed to fulfil the requirements of a broad range of applications that may be used to test datacommunications equipment, networks, systems and line facilities".

Typical applications include: final test departments; field installations of datacommunications equipment; field evaluations of datacommunications equipment; field monitoring of datacommunications facilities; and field problem isolation.

Free IP Telephony

2008-04-09T23:32:00.000-07:00

Free IP telephone services are available to make national and international phone calls by using a computer and a mouse. To get these free services, you need a computer with an Internet connection using WiFi, broadband or a dial-up network supported by T-I, DSL, Fiber, Wireless, ATM, Cable or Frame Relay. You also need a home to share the Internet connection with multiple computers, microphones and headsets (for audio connectivity) and software to turn the computer into a telephone.

One has to initially, activate a network account to get a telephone number through which calls can be made. Calls can be made to any telephone, mobile or landline. Free IP telephony services are offered for PC-to-PC phone calls. By paying a nominal registration fee, one can use the same services to call out on mobile or landline telephone.

Free IP Telephony services include voice mail, caller ID, Internet billing, video phone, instant messaging, call forwarding, call waiting, fax to email connections, call to PSTN numbers, 3-way calling or teleconferencing and call blasting. Free service providers offer instruments such as adapters; stand alone videophones at discounted prices when a customer registers on their websites.

Most of the sites use VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and high-speed Internet connections. The other services available are SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) communication systems that use the existing PBX connections in an organization to contact co-workers in remote locations. SIP provides mobility and better interconnection services within organizations.

Internet telephony software essentially provides free telephone calls, however does not offer the same quality of telephone services as PSTN network has.

Creating Capital And Finding Financial Solutions For Your Commercial Projects

2008-04-09T23:29:00.000-07:00

There are of course a myriad of financial scenarios that surround any large commercial deal or high finance transaction. One being entrepreneurs that are Asset Rich & Cash Poor and would like to be in a liquid/cash position quickly. There are ways to monetize bankable assets in as quick as 10 banking days. Only thing needed is an Avaled Promissory Note from a credible Bank for at least USD $5 Million. The Client must have Viable Assets, such as Securities, Real Estate, Art, Gems, Commodities etc. which they could pledge / assign or transfer to their Bank in exchange for their Banks providing an AVAL on their Corporate Promissory Note made out in favor of the Lender.

These types of commercial loans are out there and available at a really reasonable interest rates. Globally this will be a financial Godsend. Interest rates this low, (currently around 8%) will be commercially liberating for areas such as Eastern and Central Europe, Asia and South America, were it is common to find interest rates twice that much. But anyone looking for project funding and who is asset heavy, can see the attraction of a loan at around 8% interest and with working capital in 10 banking days.

Getting a Bank to Aval a Promissory Note is a simple and mutually beneficial process. There is no imposition upon the cash reserves of the Bank and the Bank is fully secured prior to providing the Aval . Promissory notes do not require to be entered as a liability on the Banks books, and you have liquidated your asset without having to sell it.

Other commercial project planners find them selves collateral shy and need to enhance there credit. What is needed then is an added asset enhancement to establish an “Initial Financial Bridge” in order to first qualify for the Credit with the bank and gain the critical time needed to create the Equity required by the Banks in order to qualify for standard institutional finance at a later stage.

These credit enhancement financial instruments such as stand by Letters of Credit(SBLC) and Bank Guarantees(BG), can be leased for as little as 13% of the face value.(13 million turns to 100 million).

Depending on the scope of the financial strategies, creating capital and finding Commercial project funding has several viable possibilities.

Is JG Wentworth the Only Factoring Company?

2008-04-09T05:16:00.000-07:00

In recent times the value of the US currency has decreased considerably due to several internal and external factors such as the real estate market crisis due to irresponsible lending and war, respectively. The value this currency has gained is all based on trust and by loosing "international trust" the currency has suffered greatly.

Foreign governments and companies realize this fact and according to recent trends they have decided to cash their investments in the fund of US treasury bonds in order to avoid any looses due to the declining dollar. This all sounds correct, in terms of macro-economies but as we have learned, in the world of economy big decisions and country-wise financial problems always affect financial systems at a lower scale, whether it is small businesses, banks and even individual investments.

Since the future value of the USD is quite uncertain, investors have decided to cut their loses and reinvest on different currencies, within the US we see a similar trend with investment accounts, whether they are CDs, retirement accounts (IRA, 401k), structured settlements, annuities, bonds, etc.

All of the investment instruments mentioned above rely on an appreciating currency in order to gain considerable interests but due to its recent fall the future value of these investments is uncertain, the value of these investment funds might even be worth less in the future than they are right now, that is why several investors and individuals have opted to cash these instruments and reinvest it somewhere else, here is where factoring companies such as J.G. Wentworth come into play, what this company does is buy structured settlements, annuities and such, at a discounted rate (which is still a good amount) in exchange for a large lump sum, but just like many in many other markets, these companies do not stand alone for a long time, soon enough other companies have steadily built a good reputation and standing with its clients, thus creating a competitive market which ultimately benefits the consumer.

The investment market relies on several companies to function properly, that is why alternatives to companies such as J.G. Wentworth exist, good examples of other reputable factoring companies are PPI Cash and Lawsuit Advances Online, among many others. Whether you choose to cash your long term investment for a lump sum is up to you, but it is important to realize the interesting financial times we live in.

Home Recording Studio Basics - Here's What You Need to Record

2008-04-09T00:41:00.001-07:00

After I had blown quite a few thousand dollars in a recording studio, a sound engineer friend made a cool suggestion. "Why don't you buy an ADAT, and do some tracking at home?" So I purchased that venerable 8 track digital tape recorder and saved oodles of time and money putting all my synth tracks on tape. That was my start in home recording, and oh, the fun I've had since!

What are the basic pieces of equipment and software one needs to record at home?

There are so many ways to do this! Well, since you're reading this, you probably have a computer, so let's base our home studio on the computer. We'll start by understanding the different functions we will need filled in home recording. Then we'll understand what the best hardware and software products to do it are. In general, the principle I recommend is to use fewer pieces of equipment with more functions. That approach saves time and, usually, money. As you advance in your recording skills, you can go for more specialized equipment.

There are two distinct phases in recording a song. One is the "in" phase, referring to everything needed to get your music performance into a basic recorded form, with however many tracks you need. The second phase is the "out" phase, where you will take that raw music, process it and create the final stereo version.

The "in" phase -- sending the music to your computer

Music can be put into your computer either as audio or as MIDI. Audio is actual sound recordings. MIDI records no sounds, but only the digital instructions for an instrument to play. It is much like a combination of a pianist and sheet music. Without an instrument, he can make no music. With MIDI, you are saving the note and volume instructions to be played on the instruments of your choice later on.

Although some programs let you put MIDI notes into your computer through your computer keyboard, and other programs have music generation features that allow you to create an entire backing band without playing a note, the best solution is a velocity sensitive MIDI keyboard. It gives a much more realistic performance. For example, playing a key softer will record a softer note. Other features, such as aftertouch, allow you to add vibrato and other realistic effects.

Audio simply means actual sounds. Audio tracks will include vocals, acoustic instruments, and electronic instruments whose sounds you wish to use. You will do well to get at least two microphones. Some microphones are better constructed to record vocals, while others are optimized for instruments. In addition, having two mics allows you to record in stereo, or two soloists performing at the same time.

Receiving the music into your computer

All of this will get your music up to your computer's door. How do you get it inside? With an audio interface that has: a microphone jack that fits your microphone cable and preamp function (so that the signal is strong enough to be properly recorded), phantom power (if you use a condenser mic that needs it), a line input for synths and sound modules, and a MIDI interface. Remember the principle - less products that do more. Some find it simpler to run every audio sound, mics and all, through a hardware mixer (with phantom power and effects) and sending that pre-processed signal to the audio interface's line input. You'll still need the MIDI interface function for your MIDI recording, though.

Once your audio and MIDI are inside your computer, software takes over. For our recording we will use what's called an integrated audio/MIDI sequencer. Famous names include Cubase, Cakewalk and so forth. These programs record multiple tracks of audio and MIDI in perfect synchronization.

Now you have all the equipment you need for the "in" phase. What will you need to take the many tracks of audio and MIDI you have recorded and make a song out of them?

The "out" phase -- making MIDI into music

We mentioned that MIDI is simply digital instructions, it is not actual sounds. Now we will need to create actual sounds from those instructions. There are two options for this: external and internal.

External sounds come in little boxes called sound modules (or keyboards with their own great sounds). Sound modules have hundreds of high-quality patches that re-create every instrument in the orchestra, classic electronic sounds, spacey new synthesizer creations and sound effects. To use them, you send the MIDI back out from the sequencer program through the audio interface's MIDI output and into the sound module. You then take the audio output from the sound module back into your computer via the line input on your audio interface and record it on a new audio track in the sequencer. It is now a real sound and is perfectly lined up with the other tracks.

Internal sounds come in lots of different types. Instruments that you use from within your audio/MIDI sequencer include VST instruments and software synths. The latter may automatically come with your audio interface, or require installation like any other program. Option two is a full-blown sampler/synthesizer program, such as "Reason", that you connect your sequencer to through a software function called "Rewire." And there are also sound modules that come in the form of PCI cards that you physically install on your computer.

Fine tuning and effects

Most every song will use spatial effects such as reverb and echo. You may find that some tracks are slightly out of tune. On others, there may be a consistent buzz that needs to be removed. For all of these, you will want to have an audio editing program or plug-in. A plug-in is simply a function you can add to your basic sequencer program. Plug-ins exists for all kinds of functions, including reverb, compression, equalization, noise reduction, pitch correction and so forth.

An audio editing program is a standalone program that does all of these things. With most audio/MIDI sequencers, you can configure your software to call up the audio editing program and fix the track without leaving the sequencer.

Mixing down

Once you have all of your tracks and sounds recorded, you will need to mix them down to stereo. Again, this can be done in an external or internal fashion. To do it externally, you would need a hardware mixer. This method limits you to the number of tracks you can send independently through your audio interface and the number of tracks your mixer can handle. Nonetheless, mixers give you a real surface to work on, and often include quality studio effects, reverbs and such.

Internal mixing means using your audio/MIDI sequencer to mix down the entire song to two tracks. The advantage of doing it internally is the expanded number of tracks you can use. The disadvantage is the difficulty of mixing with a mouse on a computer screen. There are, however, hardware mixing surfaces which simply control your software program.

Mastering and burning

Once you have your stereo mix, you want to put the finishing touches on it. These touches include overall compression, equalization, noise reduction, fading in and out and bringing the recording up to a normalized level of volume. Your audio editing program should be able to handle these adequately, although there are specialized mastering programs which offer higher quality and many more enhancement features.

Then you're ready to burn your song to CD. Odds are that your CD writing drive came with a program that does just that and you won't need anything more. I did mention that you'll need a CD writing drive, didn't I? Well, now I did! And if it's MP3 you're after, most audio programs encode MP3s as well.

And that's it! Now you have everything you need to make your musical magic at home. Have fun, but I don't need to tell you that, because it just is.

SCADA: A Definition And Overview

2008-04-09T00:39:00.000-07:00

SCADA Definition: Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition

The Basics of SCADA

SCADA programs are used in industrial process control applications for centralised monitoring and recording of pumps, tank levels, switches, temperatures etc. SCADA systems are also referred to as HMI (Human Machine Interfaces), or the less politically correct MMI (Man Machine Interfaces).

A SCADA program normally runs on a PC and communicates with external instrumentation and control devices. Communications methods can be via direct serial link, radio, modem, fieldbus or Ethernet links. If a mixture of instruments with differing communication interfaces and protocols need to be connected, then converters can be used. SCADA is often used on remote data acquisition systems where the data is viewed and recorded centrally.

The SCADA program has a user configured database which tells the software about the connected instrumentation and which parameters within the instruments are to be accessed. The database may also hold information on how often the parameters of the instruments are accessed and if a parameter is a read only value (e.g. a measured value) or read / write, allowing the operator to change a value (e.g. an alarm setpoint).

The parameters of the instrument being accessed are normally split between analogue (numeric) or logic (digital). When running, the SCADA software continuously updates its own database with the latest analogue and digital values collected from the instrumentation. Some SCADA systems also allow real time calculations to be made on the received data and the results would be available as a "virtual" value.

The real time values can then be used by the SCADA software for:

Real Time Display and Operator Interactions (Supervisory Control)
And
Recording (Data Acquisition)

Most SCADA PC software include a drawing package for the configuration of the operator screens; these allow for the animation of objects dependant on the real time data. The SCADA screen designer can create and graphically display bar-graphs, valve positions, tank levels etc. The operator may be allowed to alter an instruments parameters or send batch recipe values to instruments by use of a mouse / keyboard or a touch screen.

More sophisticated SCADA PC software can provide messaging modules for SMS or E-mail; these enable plant conditions to be reported to external personal. Modern SCADA programs can provide better access to plant information through a web interface; the only requirement for the remote PC is an internet browser.

If a SCADA software solution is not suitable for an application, then stand alone operator interfaces are also available. More commonly refered to as HMI, these panel mounted devices combine a micro processor, communication interfaces and LCD touch screen. Like SCADA software, configuration and screen designs are created on a computer but then downloaded to the HMI for use in real time.

Joe Crew is the Product Manager at Data Track Process Instruments Ltd. Data Track manufactures digital panel meters, large number displays, PID controllers, signal conditioners and remote data acquisition systems for the process and control industry. Data Track can also supply HMI touchscreen operator panels and SCADA software. The SCADA software is available as a free download.

How to Create Backing Tracks If You Don't Play All the Instruments... or Any

2008-04-09T00:38:00.000-07:00

Congratulations! Your singing has become amazing, and it's time the world knew. You've also written some songs that are just kick you-know-what. They need to be recorded, MP3ed and put on the net ASAP. But you've got two problems. First, you can't afford a studio, let alone a band for all this stuff. Second, you don't play all, or any, of the instruments.

Well there is good news. With a deft combination of the internet and today's software, you can do wonders. While it's never going to be the same as a true band in a real studio, which you had better hire for that big record company showcase, you can still create great backing tracks.

First, repeat after me. "I love MIDI." Thank you.

MIDI, to refresh your memory, is like sheet music for a pianist. The paper itself makes no noises, but the pianist gets all the information he needs from it to let us hear Beethoven (especially if the music is also Beethoven!). In your computer set up, the MIDI file is the sheet music, the MIDI sequencer or playback program is the pianist, and your computer's sound card and synthesizer are the piano. That's all you need!

Before we get started, I'll mention the ultimate cover song shortcut - the Internet! There are tons of great MIDI files of almost every piece of popular music out there. All you have to do is find them. If you can't, or you've got your own material, read on. Be legal, though!

If You Play Keyboard or Guitar Well

First, thank your parents for the lessons. Then, get your hands on a sequencer program and record your tracks. Using MIDI, you can choose the instrument sound for everything - all you need to do is input the notes. For drums, you can either record them from your keyboard or use a plug-in drum machine. If you choose to record them, a quick way to do it is to record a couple of measures and then copy/paste to fill out the song. But don't forget to put in some drum fills!

If Your Playing Is Limited to Little or Not at All

For you there are wonderful programs, like Band in a Box and Jammer, to create backing tracks. They are very stylish, meaning, they function in styles. You must, at the very least, know the chords for your song. You simply enter the chords, choose the appropriate musical style, and click a button called "compose" (or some reasonable facsimile). Before you can say "Holy guacamole, Batman," your music is playing. The drawback here is that your band will sound canned. And well it should, for it is! But, have no fear, there are ways to mitigate that quite well.

Making it Human

Best thing? Play what you can, at least the melody. That, in and of itself, will help tremendously, as it's no longer just a band style playing chord progressions.

Next up, record a counterpoint. Counterpoints make ordinary songs exciting. They are secondary melodies that complement the main melody. They usually have a slightly different rhythm, and fill in where the melody has breaks. A great example is in the song "The Winner Takes It All," by Abba. Listen to the theme that is always playing underneath the melody - it really drives the song.

Another thing you can do to put life into your tracks is to customize the style. Depending on how good you are with your software and its capabilities, you can create your own riffs and mix them into the song. Also, vary similar styles throughout the song to break the monotony. And, again, don't underestimate drum fills!

Creative use of layering is a very effective technique. When all the tracks play all the time, it can be very boring. Wait to bring in some instruments till later in the song. That creates a "building" feel. Then, at some point towards the end, take them out again briefly to create a "break" or "bridge". When you bring them back, it is very powerful.

Finally, don't allow any perfection. Yes, you read that correctly. If your music is perfectly aligned rhythmically, it will sound artificial. Live musicians are never precisely on the beat. Almost all programs have a "humanize" function which corrects this automatically. Otherwise, take the time and slide some notes in the piano roll editor window. If you need quantize (rhythm correction) on the recorded tracks, set it to less than 100%.

When you've got your MIDI file, there are two ways to convert it to audio (wav, mp3) for CD burning. The quicker way is with a dedicated program that renders wave files from MIDI files directly. Most software synthesizer programs that have a stand-alone playback feature can do this. Otherwise, open an audio recording program, play the MIDI file, and simultaneously record the output. Make sure your audio recorder is set to receive from the correct input.

If You Play Nothing, and Don't Know Chords or Theory or Anything

Guess what? You are the one who should hire a musician. Yes, I know that some programs will offer both a chord progression composer and even a melody composer. All you would need to do is choose the style. If you are considering going this route, I have one request for you.

PLEASE DON'T!

Sorry to yell, but think about this. The melody is composed by a computer, the chords are composed by a computer, the band is composed by a computer. It is music that is completely composed by a computer. Oh my gosh! How revolting is that?

No, my friend, hire a qualified musician. You sing the song to them, they create the magic. Do not sell yourself short. Your song is important -- it's part of you! Show it the greatest respect and make it as beautiful as you can.

Project calls for intelligent micro-scale tester

2008-03-01T03:26:00.000-08:00

Tester will be based on T3Ster, MicReD's world-leading transient test equipment for semiconductor chip package thermal characterisation

Flomerics' MicReD subsidiary will play a major role in the recently announced European-funded Nanopack project, which aims to address thermal barriers to continued performance increases in semiconductors and power electronics by developing new technologies and materials for low thermal resistance interfaces and electrical interconnects.Transistor downscaling is forcing a focus on heterogeneous integration and 3D packaging technologies to improve performance by reducing interconnect length between memory and multicore logic.

In order to remove heat from the intricate layered assemblies, low-resistance thermal interfaces need to be combined with high-density electrical interconnects.

Power electronics applications in hybrid vehicles and power supplies are reaching integration densities that are already limited by the ability to transfer heat across interfaces to liquid coolers and heatsinks.
The Nanopack consortium will explore systems such as carbon nanotubes, nanoparticles and nano-structured surfaces using different contact-enhancing mechanisms combined with high-volume compatible manufacturing technologies such as electro-spinning.

Recent groundbreaking work on nested channel interfaces will be used to exploit the beneficial properties of the new materials.

Simulation with world-class supercomputers will support the development of experimental test structures to measure the performance of new interface technologies and validate design tools.

Finally, improved performance will be demonstrated in several different applications including high-power radio-frequency switches, microprocessors and hybrid vehicle power electronics.

Within the Nanopack project, MicReD and Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BUTE) will collaborate to create an intelligent micro-scale tester for thermal interface materials enabling thermal resistance measurements with at least one order of magnitude higher accuracy than is possible today.

The new tester will be based on T3Ster, MicReD's world-leading transient test equipment for semiconductor chip package thermal characterisation.

The project results will be disseminated through the organisation of yearly public Nanopack workshops in connection with the existing Therminic Workshops.

The Nanopack project is co-ordinated by Thales Research and Technology.

Big display offers more scope for analysis

2008-03-01T03:19:00.000-08:00

Oscilloscopes deliver improved signal visibility for designs that include analogue and/or digital and serial signals

Agilent Technologies has expanded its mixed-signal and digital-storage oscilloscope portfolio with 10 new models that comprise its next-generation InfiniiVision 7000 Series. The new Agilent InfiniiVision 7000 Series offers bandwidths up to 1GHz and delivers an unparalleled deep memory waveform update rate of up to 100,000 waveforms per second.
Each model, equipped with the industry's largest display - a 12.1in XGA LCD - comes in a package that is just 178mm deep and weighs only 6.35kg.

Electronic design and test teams in nearly every electronic industry, including computer, communications, semiconductor, aerospace/defence, automotive and wireless industries, continue to produce increasingly sophisticated hardware designs.

Designers use oscilloscopes as the primary tool to test and debug those designs.

Confidently and consistently viewing subtle signal details and infrequent events enables teams to more quickly debug and test their electronic systems.

Agilent's InfiniiVision 7000 Series oscilloscopes deliver the best signal visibility for designs that include analogue and/or digital and serial signals.'We use scopes extensively during product development', says Ken Chalfant, Laser Manufacturing Engineer, Spectranetics Corp.

'Our Agilent InfiniiVision scope enables my team to quickly find problems like no other scope on the market'.

Spectranetics is a leader in excimer laser systems used in minimally invasive surgical procedures and is a current InfiniiVision scope user.

All InfiniiVision 7000 Series models are equipped with biggest-in-class 12.1in display - nearly 40% more display area than any other on the market.

Larger displays have become increasingly important as general purpose scopes need more space to display digital and serial signals in addition to traditional scope channels.

The increased display size helps users who need to display up to 20 channels simultaneously with serial protocol.

InfiniiVision Series 7000 models provide the industry's fastest update rate - up to 100,000 waveforms per second - eliminating two common errors that can cause engineers to miss critical information: unresponsive controls with deep memory turned on, and traditional architectures that are blind to changes in signals being tested.

For designs with both digital and analogue signal measurements, the update rate is 5000x faster than any other available scope.

This allows the user to view critical signal detail that competing scopes miss with their longer dead times.

Packed with numerous general purpose features, InfiniiVision 7000 Series oscilloscopes can be customised with a number of unique software options.

Supported applications give engineers meaningful insight into application-specific problems.

Applications include: serial decode and trigger for I2C, SPI, CAN, LIN, FlexRay, RS-232 and other UART; rapid core-assisted debug of designs with Xilinx or Altera FPGAs; segmented memory for analysis of laser pulses, radar bursts and serial packets; offline PC viewing and sharing of previously acquired scope data; and RF contextual viewing of scope data using vector signal analysis software.

'Agilent has been the fastest-growing scope vendor each year for the past five years', says Jay Alexander, Vice President and General Manager of Agilent's oscilloscopes business.

'The InfiniiVision 7000 Series is a good indication of why, and capitalises on our 10 years of leadership developing MSOs'.

'We focused on delivering on customers' inputs for an envious form factor, coupled with an architecture that delivers the best signal visibility at an affordable cost'.

One-off pricing ranges from US $6950 for the two-channel 350MHz DSO 7032A to US $17,900 for the 1GHz MSO 7104A with four oscilloscope channels and 16 logic channels.

Big display offers more scope for analysis

2008-02-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Oscilloscopes deliver improved signal visibility for designs that include analogue and/or digital and serial signals

Agilent Technologies has expanded its mixed-signal and digital-storage oscilloscope portfolio with 10 new models that comprise its next-generation InfiniiVision 7000 Series. The new Agilent InfiniiVision 7000 Series offers bandwidths up to 1GHz and delivers an unparalleled deep memory waveform update rate of up to 100,000 waveforms per second.
Each model, equipped with the industry's largest display - a 12.1in XGA LCD - comes in a package that is just 178mm deep and weighs only 6.35kg.

Electronic design and test teams in nearly every electronic industry, including computer, communications, semiconductor, aerospace/defence, automotive and wireless industries, continue to produce increasingly sophisticated hardware designs.

Designers use oscilloscopes as the primary tool to test and debug those designs.

Confidently and consistently viewing subtle signal details and infrequent events enables teams to more quickly debug and test their electronic systems.

Agilent's InfiniiVision 7000 Series oscilloscopes deliver the best signal visibility for designs that include analogue and/or digital and serial signals.
We use scopes extensively during product development', says Ken Chalfant, Laser Manufacturing Engineer, Spectranetics Corp.

'Our Agilent InfiniiVision scope enables my team to quickly find problems like no other scope on the market'.

Spectranetics is a leader in excimer laser systems used in minimally invasive surgical procedures and is a current InfiniiVision scope user.

All InfiniiVision 7000 Series models are equipped with biggest-in-class 12.1in display - nearly 40% more display area than any other on the market.

Larger displays have become increasingly important as general purpose scopes need more space to display digital and serial signals in addition to traditional scope channels.

The increased display size helps users who need to display up to 20 channels simultaneously with serial protocol.

InfiniiVision Series 7000 models provide the industry's fastest update rate - up to 100,000 waveforms per second - eliminating two common errors that can cause engineers to miss critical information: unresponsive controls with deep memory turned on, and traditional architectures that are blind to changes in signals being tested.

For designs with both digital and analogue signal measurements, the update rate is 5000x faster than any other available scope.

This allows the user to view critical signal detail that competing scopes miss with their longer dead times.

Packed with numerous general purpose features, InfiniiVision 7000 Series oscilloscopes can be customised with a number of unique software options.

Supported applications give engineers meaningful insight into application-specific problems.

Applications include: serial decode and trigger for I2C, SPI, CAN, LIN, FlexRay, RS-232 and other UART; rapid core-assisted debug of designs with Xilinx or Altera FPGAs; segmented memory for analysis of laser pulses, radar bursts and serial packets; offline PC viewing and sharing of previously acquired scope data; and RF contextual viewing of scope data using vector signal analysis software.

'Agilent has been the fastest-growing scope vendor each year for the past five years', says Jay Alexander, Vice President and General Manager of Agilent's oscilloscopes business.

'The InfiniiVision 7000 Series is a good indication of why, and capitalises on our 10 years of leadership developing MSOs'.

'We focused on delivering on customers' inputs for an envious form factor, coupled with an architecture that delivers the best signal visibility at an affordable cost'.

Trial puts wireless broadband to the test

2008-02-25T05:12:00.000-08:00

Initiative is designed to validate LTE's capability to bring high-speed wireless broadband to the global market

Agilent Technologies has joined the Long Term Evolution/System Architecture Evolution (LTE/SAE) Trial Initiative, which is designed to validate the technology's capability to bring high-speed wireless broadband to the global market. Agilent is the only company to contribute to LTE interoperability testing and field trials from physical layer air interface testing through protocol layer test and network diagnostics.
This comprehensive test capacity further enables the transition of LTE to a commercially deployable technology.

'As a leader in the measurement industry, Agilent is fully committed to providing solutions for the entire LTE development lifecycle', says Ron Nersesian, Vice President of Agilent's Wireless Business Unit.

'With our membership, the LTE/SAE Trial Initiative we plan to use our comprehensive measurement expertise to significantly contribute to the full delivery of LTE to the marketplace'.

The LTE/SAE Trial Initiative is composed of global companies dedicated to verifying LTE's ability to achieve the performance necessary to give a true broadband experience on mobile devices.

It is divided into three main phases: proof of concept, interoperability and trial.

Tester prepares for Long Term Evolution

2008-02-22T23:01:00.000-08:00

Tester is designed to address the challenges of 3GPP LTE (3G Long Term Evolution) network infrastructure development test and roll-out

Aeroflex has introduced the TM500 LTE test mobile designed to address the challenges of 3GPP LTE (3G Long Term Evolution) network infrastructure development test and roll-out. The TM500 LTE's extensive Layer 1, Layer 2 and higher layer test features make it an indispensable testing peer that provides complete visibility into even the lowest layers of the radio modem by generating the detailed diagnostic data needed for engineers to verify the required functionality and optimise network operation and performance.
LTE is the 3GPP's vision for ensuring that the evolution of UMTS network infrastructure remains the dominant cellular architecture going forward into the next decade.

It targets datarates in excess of 100Mbit/s over the downlink and 50Mbit/s over the uplink when operating in 20MHz spectrum allocation, and climbing to peak rates of 300Mbit/s in the downlink for the highest category UEs.

LTE technology also ensures high performance for speeds up to 120km/h and mobility support across the cellular network for speeds up to 350km/h.

As well as higher datarates, wide-area coverage is also being targeted.

The throughput, efficiency and mobility targets must be met for 5km cells through to 30km cells and up to 100km cells.
Reduced latency is also being addressed with a target for U-plane latency less than 5ms in unload conditions with small IP packets.

'LTE is based on a set of high-level requirements designed to deliver improved, high spectrum efficiency and coverage, but at a reduced cost per bit for both operators and users compared with 3G', says Evan Gray, TM500 Manager.

'Although LTE is designed as an evolutionary upgrade to existing networks, instead of using W-CDMA technology, it adopts the OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) transmission scheme on the downlink and SC-FDMA (single carrier frequency division multiple access) on the uplink in order to provide flexible resource assignment'.

'Furthermore, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology and higher order modulation (64QAM) are employed to improve the received signal strength and capacity needed to achieve the high rates and improved coverage'.

'This represents a significant radio access technology shift, the deployment of which is a major challenge'.

'Consequently, it is critical to have test equipment specifically oriented to LTE that can provide the new UE functionality as well as visibility of the physical and higher layer operation of the LTE radio access network components'.

The TM500 LTE incorporates test, logging and measurement features at all layers of the protocol.

This includes advanced MIMO tests to verify that the network appropriately handles the MIMO related signalling and correctly applies the MIMO modes, which can be realised with or without the need for an external fading simulator.

Graphical displays and charts give a visualisation of the signal quality and the system status enabling engineers to quickly characterise and isolate problems.

It is also possible to override signalling, or even force data corruption, to enable simulation of abnormal conditions in order to test the system response and robustness or expose difficult problems.

In the early stages of LTE development, the higher layer protocol will typically not be available and engineers must configure the physical and lower layer tests using scripts that may incorporate hundreds of LTE parameters.

The TM500 LTE enables incremental testing at Layer 1, Layer 2 or higher layer levels, and together with a powerful graphical user interface (GUI), engineers can easily configure parameters and scripts to execute complex tests scenarios at different layers.

The TM500 LTE also supports full local or remote automation of test scripts, which is essential when building extensive and repeatable testing.

The TM500 LTE test script configuration tool enables the easy generation and management of scripts which can then be initiated manually or by an executive test entity.

The TM500 also makes it possible to alter parameters in real time to extend test coverage across a wide range of different configurations used in a live system.

This enables early detection of software bugs that may not otherwise be found until much later in the development cycle when diagnosing and rectifying errors is typically much more expensive.

'Structured development, integration and test programmes are essential for the implementation, verification, validation and optimisation of LTE infrastructure', concludes Gray.

'TM500 LTE addresses all these issues through a suite of test components including the physical layer, protocol development and conformance, and multiple-UE operation, which support stand-alone testing of the basestation physical layer through to network level load testing'.

Handheld radio test set becomes spectrum analyser

2008-02-20T05:02:00.000-08:00

Spectrum analyser option allows users to see the signal they are receiving instead of just the frequency

Aeroflex has released a new RF spectrum analyser option for the 3500 handheld 1GHz radio test set. The spectrum analyser option now allows users to see the signal they are receiving instead of just the frequency. In addition, the 3500 will have P25 parametric test capabilities by summer 2008, making it even more versatile.
Using an advanced fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm, the 3500 spectrum analyser option provides an almost instantaneous display of the RF frequency spectrum.

The 3500 has the ability to measure signal levels down to -136dBm, providing advanced signal analysis in a lightweight platform, weighing less than 4kg.

Operation of the 3500 spectrum analyser includes span ranges of 10kHz to 5MHz and an effective resolution bandwidth as small as 19Hz.
Marker functions are available for the user to measure power in a specified bandwidth.

Based on a rugged design that has been approved by the US military, the 3500 offers a wide range of RF test and analysis tools.

Features such as broadband power meter, frequency meter, deviation and modulation index, Signal to noise and distortion measurements set the 3500 apart from other portable RF test equipment.

'The 3500 is in a class of its own', says Lyndon Zielke, Senior Marketing Engineer, Aeroflex Test Solutions.

'The 3500 Series is targeted to perform, quick, accurate tests for verification of radio performance and cable/antenna integrity in a variety of vehicles and platforms'.

'It also provides fast, quick, over-the-air testing of radio transceivers'.

'The 3500's flexible platform gives us the ability to add new features quickly such as the spectrum analyser and P25 tests'.

Aeroflex will equip the 3500 with P25 parametric tests, with initial availability in summer 2008.

'With the upcoming release of P25 test features, 3500 owners can take their unit to remote sites and perform complex digital modulation analysis, as well as standard analogue measurements', says Zielke.

'The 3500 is now the leading portable test set for the land mobile radio market'.

P25 tests will include C4FM modulation fidelity, frequency error, power and deviation measurements.

The 3500 will also generate both the 1011 and 0.153 bit pattern for performing digital receiver sensitivity tests.

Entry-level spectrum analyser has WiMAX covered

2008-02-18T04:37:00.000-08:00

Analyser is the only instrument in its class to support the WLAN, WiMAX and WCDMA standards

The portable R and S FSL18 from Rohde and Schwarz expands the company's spectrum analysis portfolio to meet the increasing demand for compact instruments in applications such as the installation and maintenance of WiMAX networks. It is billed as the only entry-level instrument with such a wide frequency range and large I/Q demodulation bandwidth (28MHz).
Its frequency range of 9kHz to 18GHz allows the R and S FSL18 to perform measurements on microwave systems.

This includes radar and microwave link systems as well as production tests on microwave components such as mixers and amplifiers.

Thanks to its large I/Q demodulation bandwidth and the extensive software capabilities of the R and S FSL family, the new spectrum analyser is the only instrument in its class to support the WLAN, WiMAX and WCDMA standards.
The instrument's low weight (less than 8kg) and DC/battery operation also make it ideal for mobile use in the field when no AC supply is available.

Transmitter measurements for civil and military applications can be performed easily - from WiMAX and satcom up to radar.

When equipped with the R and S FSL-K9 option, the R and S FSL supports the direct connection of power sensors from the R and S NRP family.

This increases the accuracy of the measurements and eliminates the need for an extra power meter.

An overall measurement uncertainty of better than 1.2dB at 18GHz ensures precise results, even in the microwave range.

In addition, the instrument's resolution bandwidths (RBW) from 1Hz to 10MHz (20MHz at zero span) provide high flexibility for analysing pulse signals in both the frequency and time domains.

For production applications, the R and S FSL18 is a cost-efficient solution with a wide range of functions.

Its measurement speed of 80 sweeps per second in the zero span (including all data transfers) ensures high productivity.

The frequency list mode allows engineers and technicians to perform measurements with up to 300 analyser settings using a single remote-control command.

Moreover, the spectrum analyser features power measurements with channel filters in the time domain and a fast frequency counter with a resolution of 0.1Hz at a measurement time of less than 50ms.

Entry-level spectrum analyser has WiMAX covered

2008-02-18T04:35:00.000-08:00

Audio analyser turns to production testing

2008-02-18T04:31:00.000-08:00

HST 2.0 software allows users to test almost any type of audio device - amplifiers, DACs, ADCs, signal processors, MP3/DVD players etc - quickly and easily

The AP High Speed Tester (HST) application is now available for use with the Audio Precision AP2700 Series audio analyser. The new application was originally developed to test playback only devices on the production line. The objective was a fast, accurate and easy-to-operate test station with a limited graphical user interface that displayed just test results and had the ability to save results to a log file.
The initial success of HST prompted many customers to request the same functionality for testing other devices: a request that has now been answered by Audio Precision.

HST is an ideal application for customers looking for high-speed production test: parameters such as DC offset, output level, frequency response, phase, distortion, noise in the presence of a signal, and crosstalk are all measured in just six seconds.

The key to the speed of HST is the use of a multitone stimulus which allows HST to derive all its measurements from a single acquisition.

HST provides single-value results for each measurement, but also allows the user to view the FFT spectrum of the acquisition.

In addition to testing playback devices, HST 2.0 can use the instrument's generator to drive the input of the device under test.

Both input and output can be set to digital or analogue, and limits, user prompts and sample rate can be defined easily via a new setup utility.

This flexibility allows HST 2.0 to test almost any type of audio device - amplifiers, DACs, ADCs, signal processors, MP3/DVD players etc - quickly and easily.

HST can be also be used in other areas, including the testing of broadcast transmission networks using a 1s-duration multitone to trigger HST automatically and measure transmission quality.

The Audio Precision 2700 Series is designed for audio engineers who need the highest performance, lowest distortion and greatest flexibility possible in an audio analyser, and currently has the best performance of any audio analyser in the world.

Pulse generator promises superior performance

2008-02-14T05:23:00.000-08:00

Timing accuracies of 0.01% for frequency and 0.2% for delay and width are unusual for a pulse generator

According to Berkeley Nucleonics, the Model 6040 pulse generator provides superior performance characteristics. For example, the timing accuracies of 0.01% for frequency and 0.2% for delay and width are unusual for a pulse generator. The triggering jitter of 25ps provides synchronising capabilities usually associated with only the very best digital delay systems.
Plug-in modules let users select the output configuration required for any application.

Even the mainframe 6040 without any module provides capable positive and negative outputs.

Capabilities of the mainframe with its modules include: single pulse, double pulse, impulse, external drive, external modulation and CW.

The modules themselves determine which of these capabilities are available.

Some modules can operate to full repetition rate of the mainframe; others are limited to a smaller number.

Powerful claims for timer/counter/analyser

2008-02-14T05:19:00.000-08:00

The CNT-91 is particularly useful for detecting small time and frequency changes, and this is vital for R and D as well as production test applications

Available now from Aspen Electronics, the Pendulum Instruments CNT-91 is reckoned to be the world's most powerful timer/counter/analyser on the market. Both speed and resolution have been improved over the existing market leader, the CNT-90. The CNT-91 features: 50ps single-shot time interval resolution; 12digits/s frequency resolution; an exceptionally fast 250kHz measurement rate saved to internal 3.5Msample memory; and an expanded 2600 individual measurements per second via GPIB or USB.
Of particular interest is the ability to continuously stream data during the measurement process; this, combined with the high speed, makes the instrument ideal for production test applications.

Further, zero-dead-time frequency and period are standard features, allowing for accurate measurement and analysis of signal stability and Allan deviation calculations.

The high-resolution time and frequency measurements combined with 0.001 degree phase measurements, make the CNT-91 particularly useful for detecting small time and frequency changes, vital for R and D as well as production test applications.
An optional TimeView program converts the instrument to a modulation domain analyser, taking advantage of the high-speed measurements and massive store to capture very fast frequency changes in real time.

The CNT-91 includes the ability to program a pulse output from 0.5Hz to 100MHz for defining pulserate frequency (PRF).

The wide frequency range to 20GHz ensures the counter timer is eminently suitable for most carrier wave and microwave frequency measurement needs.

The menu-based graphical user interface ensures the instrument is quick to program and easy to use.

The clear graphical displays show distribution histograms, trends and modulation domain information, which speed interpretation of random signal distribution and measurement changes against time, from slow drift to fast jitter and modulation.

It displays up to 14-digit resolution, more than most other interpolating counters, and along with auxiliary measurement parameters, removes the need for additional instruments such as DVMs and oscilloscopes.

USB and GPIB interfaces are standard.

Aspen is offering these Swedish designed and manufactured counter timers, available now on four week delivery, with prices starting at GBP 2619.

Applications include R and D, design, production test and calibration in a wide range of industries including telecomms component and systems manufacturing and installation, oscillator manufacturing, precision calibration and metrology, and for automatic test equipment, as well as for specialist military, aerospace and defence applications.

Test receiver adds Mobile WiMAX coverage

2008-02-13T01:49:00.000-08:00

Receiver enables network equipment manufacturers and wireless operators to effectively deploy, optimise and troubleshoot Mobile WiMAX networks

A new measurement receiver for Mobile WiMAX extends the technology support of Agilent's existing drive test receiver platform. This receiver enables network equipment manufacturers and wireless operators' RF engineering teams to effectively deploy, optimise and troubleshoot Mobile WiMAX networks by quickly identifying coverage and interference problems.
The Agilent W1314A platform has options to support GSM, UMTS, IS95, cdma2000, 1xEVDO, iDEN and WiMAX technologies.

As WiMAX technology matures and more advanced network designs are realised, it is important to maximise the effectiveness of drive-test teams by providing them the ability to quickly and accurately collect RF measurement data.

The new receiver integrates with the industry-leading Agilent E6474A network optimisation software to provide a core of RF coverage data, technology-specific interference and optimisation measurements.

'As Mobile WiMAX begins to compete head on with other 3G and 3.5G technologies, there is even greater need to validate the network design and performance targets as quickly as possible', says Jonathan Dunbar, General Manager of Agilent's Drive Test business.

'Unlike a standard Mobile WiMAX subscriber device, the network independent receiver measurements enable users to clearly see individual sector coverage areas and validate that they meet the design criteria'.

Benefits of the Agilent W1314A-E01 receiver include: the ability to quickly troubleshoot handover and missing-neighbour issues, confirm coverage and pinpoint interference sources; support of up to eight frequency bands, which allows 2.3, 2.5 and 3.5GHz Mobile WiMAX networks to be monitored by a single, compact solution; small form factor and rugged casing, which makes the solution easy to carry and able to withstand the rough environment of field-based testing; and a built-in high sensitivity GPS unit that offers significantly enhanced position-reporting performance in dense urban environments and in many indoor situations.

The Agilent W1314A receiver platform is available now with pricing varying with configuration.

Handheld power meter covers a broad band

2008-02-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

The NBM-520 meter directly measures the electromagnetic field strength in the vicinity of any telecomms, broadcast, military or industrial transmitter

A broadband handheld meter available from Link Microtek provides accurate measurements of electromagnetic fields and, with only four buttons, is extremely simple to operate. Manufactured by Narda Safety Test Solutions, the NBM-520 meter directly measures the electromagnetic field strength in the vicinity of any telecomms, broadcast, military or industrial transmitter.
The meter's light weight and relatively small size make it especially suitable for use wherever mast climbing is required, and it is likely to be a popular model for DSO applications in the broadcast sector.

Covering the frequency range 100kHz to 60GHz, the NBM-520 can be supplied with a choice of isotropic probes to suit each individual application.

One particularly useful probe offers a shaped frequency response, which is designed to produce results as a%age of a given safety guideline.

Regardless of which probe is chosen, the meter automatically recognises the type and serial number from an EPROM in the probe and applies the necessary correction factor, thereby achieving straightforward plug-and-play operation.

Featuring a backlit monochrome graphics LCD with selectable illumination time, the NBM-520 is easy to read in darkness or sunlight.

The meter offers four measurement modes - instantaneous, maximum, time average and spatial average - and includes a useful hold button to freeze measurement results.

Users are alerted to the presence of high field strengths by both audible and visual warning signals, and the alarm thresholds can be adjusted using the configuration software supplied.

Software meets harmonic current regulations

2008-02-10T23:57:00.000-08:00

Upgraded harmonic/flicker measurement software allows engineers without specialised knowledge to perform a range of operations using the WT3000 precision power analyser

Yokogawa has released a new version of the harmonic/flicker measurement software for its WT3000 precision power analyser has been released to comply with new international power-quality standards. The new 761922 harmonic/flicker measurement software has been developed in response to new regulations for harmonic current over 16A, which will be enforced as a low-frequency EMC test from February 2008.
The new standards include precise definitions of measurement procedures and settings.

EN61000-3-11/IEC61000-3-11 includes imitations on voltage fluctuations and flicker in equipment with a rated current of over 16A per phase.

EN61000-3-12/IEC61000-3-12 includes limits for harmonic current emissions in equipment with a rated current over 16A per phase.

The upgraded harmonic/flicker measurement software allows engineers without specialised knowledge to perform a range of operations using the WT3000 precision power analyser, including value limit judging functions for standards compliance and the production of test reports.

The software requires the WT3000 precision power analyser to be fitted with the 30A input option as well as the computation and flicker measurement functions.

Broadband source has broad appeal

2008-02-07T06:24:00.000-08:00

Economy-class continuous-wave microwave signal generator is specifically designed to maximise uptime and reduce cost of ownership

Agilent Technologies has developed a compact microwave analogue signal generator that offers frequency coverage to 20, 32 or 40GHz. Featuring fast frequency switching speeds, high reliability and easy self-maintenance, this mid-performance signal generator provides manufacturing and R and D engineers working on broadband components and systems with the performance required to make a wide range of broadband measurements.
The Agilent N5183A MXG is an economy-class continuous-wave (CW) signal generator specifically designed to maximise uptime and reduce cost of ownership.

Its 900us (maximum) switching speed enables a dramatic increase in throughput.

A simple design delivers easy self-maintenance that reduces downtime to one working day, making it possible for users to maintain or repair the instrument in-house.

Not only does this capability maximise uptime, it also drives a lower cost of ownership.

With +18dBm to 20GHz output power, the Agilent N5183A MXG is able to overcome losses and drive high-power devices.

Additionally, it features a level accuracy, with optional step attenuator, of +/-0.6 to 0.8dB.

Other options to the Agilent N5183A MXG include analogue modulation and pulse modulation - all housed in a compact 2U package.

'Fast switching speed and lower cost of ownership are key requirements for today's broadband component manufacturing and R and D engineers', says Andy Botka, Vice President of Agilent's Signal Sources Division.

'With its available options and price/performance flexibility, the new Agilent N5183A MXG provides users with the capabilities they need to address these issues, while staying ahead of their competition'.

Agilent's N5183A MXG offers a viable replacement to legacy HP/Agilent signal generators.

It is programming compatible with the 8340, 8360 and 8370 Series signal generators as well as the ESG, PSG and 8662A/8663A solutions.

Pricing begins at US $18,000.

Oscilloscope reaches landmark speed

2008-02-07T06:13:00.000-08:00

The InfiniiScan Plus enables 150ps hardware-event identification and 75ps software-event identification

Agilent Technologies has broken the one billion acquisition samples (1Gsample) barrier for the first time in a high-performance oscilloscope. The new Agilent Infiniium 90000A series not only offers the world's deepest acquisition memory depth, but it also offers the world's first hardware/software integrated triggering system, InfiniiScan Plus.
The InfiniiScan Plus enables 150ps hardware-event identification and 75ps software-event identification.

The ultra-deep memory options in the Infiniium oscilloscope are able to capture 25ms of time, at 40 Gsample/s, on all four channels simultaneously.

This is a 6x increase over other oscilloscopes in the same class.

Powered by Infiniium data accelerator technology, deep memory captures provide the industry's fastest data offload, with rapid access to offline analysis.

Both the DSO and DSA models are capable of more than 150,000 measurements per second and modes supporting over 300,000 triggers per second.
Jay Alexander, Vice President and General Manager of Agilent's oscilloscopes business said 'The Infiniium 90000A series enables our customers to analyse and debug cutting-edge, high-speed digital and RF technologies that require the best signal integrity, the longest memory depth and deep analysis capability'.

The InfiniiScan Plus event identification system is based on the world's fastest hardware trigger system.

This new trigger system can identify glitches faster than 250ps.

The Infiniium 90000A will offer the only three-level trigger system, combining multiple hardware triggers with the InfiniiScan software, providing virtually infinite trigger combinations for any debug situation.

It is also the only scope above 4GHz bandwidth that offers standard analogue high-definition TV triggers to address the emerging HDTV market.

Agilent provides investment protection with the industry's only upgradeable bandwidth for real-time oscilloscopes, upgradeable memory options and the industry's only application server licensing for oscilloscopes.

The series of oscilloscopes includes 2.5, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 13GHz models with memory options of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1Gsamples.

'At NVIDIA, we are always pushing the envelope with regard to process technology and developing new interface standards', said Bill Simms, Manager of Mixed Signal design validation at NVIDIA.

'To analyse these interfaces, we require oscilloscopes to have high bandwidth, deep capture memory and fast data processing'.

'The Agilent DSA90000A oscilloscope helps us to not only capture large amounts of data, but also to process that data record in a much shorter time'.

'This improves our development time and shortens our time to market'.

Measurement products for aerospace testing

2008-02-02T02:44:00.000-08:00

At Aerospace Testing Expo, Rohde and Schwarz will showcase a cross-section of its broad portfolio of test and measurement products

At Aerospace Testing Expo (Munich, Germany, 27th to 29th March 2007), Rohde and Schwarz (Hall A1, Stand 1204) will showcase a cross-section of its broad portfolio of test and measurement products, ranging from high-end instruments for signal generation and analysis to network analysis and standards-compliant EMC measurements.

Depending on customer requirements, the company offers complete system solutions or stand-alone applications.

Plus, individual products can be integrated into existing systems.

To ensure flexible use, the instruments from Rohde and Schwarz are downward-compatible.

And features such as LXI compatibility provide the safety of investment demanded by customers.

In everyday operation, antenna and radar systems must often handle pulsed signals.
Amplifiers and on-wafer measurements also require pulsed signals in order to avoid overheating.

With the R and S ZVA-K7 software option, Rohde and Schwarz has integrated pulsed measurements into the R and S ZVA family of high-end network analysers, thus providing a compact and cost-efficient solution.

Absolute levels, complex S-parameters, and quantities derived from them can be displayed in real time by using pulses with a resolution of 12.5ns.

The option makes it possible to analyse periodic and nonperiodic pulses as well as single pulses with an IF bandwidth of up to 30MHz.

Special advantages of the new method include simple test setup and adaptive error correction when measurement settings are changed.

When equipped with the R and S SMA-K25 option, the analogue R and S SMA100A high-end signal generator operates as a source for precise VOR/ILS signals.

The instrument's low modulation errors and high level accuracy permit reliable tests on air navigation receivers.

With a frequency range of 9kHz to 6GHz, it can be used for all applications in the lab, in production, and in service that require signals of high spectral purity.

The compact R and S SMA100A generates amplitude modulation (AM) and pulse modulation signals as standard.

For mil/aero applications, the instrument can be upgraded with a high-end pulse generator by means of the R and S SMA-K23 option.

To enable users to check and maintain ILS and VOR systems, Rohde and Schwarz has developed the R and S EVS300.

This robust level and modulation analyser with a weight of less than 6kg is ideal for use not only in the laboratory but also at airports and for performing flight inspections with measurement aircraft.

An internal calibration generator enables it to achieve very high level measurement accuracy.

In addition to extremely fast measurement value processing, the R and S EVS300 features an internal data memory that records up to ten million measurement data records for applications with maximum measurement speed or for long-term monitoring.

The measurement values can be transmitted over standard interfaces or copied to a USB memory stick.

In the absence of an AC supply, rechargeable batteries provide an operating time of 8-10h during continuous measurements.

Rohde and Schwarz will also present the R and S SMF100A at Aerospace Testing Expo.

This new analogue microwave signal generator claims new standards in single sideband (SSB) phase noise.

Thanks to its unique value of -115dBc (at 10GHz/10kHz offset), the instrument is ideal for a variety of telecommunications and radar applications.

In addition, high output power and very short setting times enable flexible applications in production.

With level and frequency setting times of 4 and 3ms, respectively, the R and S SMF100A achieves an outstanding value.

Moreover, the instrument provides output power of typically up to +26dBm without an external amplifier.

The R and S SMF100A is designed for a frequency range up to 22GHz.

To develop and produce high-quality transmit and receive equipment such as communications systems and radar, users need the conventional measurements of both a phase noise tester and a spectrum analyser.

The R and S FSUP is the only instrument worldwide that combines a spectrum analyser and a phase noise tester up to 50GHz.

With the R and S FSUP, Rohde and Schwarz for the first time offers an instrument specially designed for characterising RF signal sources and in particular for measuring phase noise.

The R and S FSUP incorporates the company's many years of experience in developing high-quality spectrum analysers and low-noise oscillators and synthesisers.

The R and S FSUP allows extremely flexible and easy test setups and reduces investment costs significantly.

The R and S FSH18 handheld spectrum analyser from Rohde and Schwarz underscores the company's continued development of the 3 and 6GHz models of the R and S FSH, already firmly established on the market.

These models are highly regarded by users especially because of their extensive measurement functions, excellent RF characteristics, and compact design (2.5kg).

Accommodated in the same housing as the low-frequency models, the R and S FSH18 is ideal for a variety of applications in the microwave range.

In field use, this newcomer helps to detect spurious signals in a frequency range up to 18GHz - no matter whether in tests on radar equipment, air traffic control systems, satellite systems, or microwave links.

Plus, it covers the complete frequency range for WiMAX, thus providing a cost-effective solution for spectrum measurements in this field.

To enable users to perform complex measurements on radar and mobile radio signals, Rohde and Schwarz offers its R and S NRP-Z81 broadband power sensor.

For the first time, an RF detector, analogue and digital signal processing, as well as the entire evaluation logic of a peak power meter are combined in a compact sensor that can be directly remote-controlled via USB.

By featuring video bandwidth of up to 30MHz and a rise time of 13ns, the R and S NRP-Z81 allows high-resolution envelope analyses.

Complete statistical analysis of a signal can be performed within only a few milliseconds.

For average power measurements, it provides a dynamic range of 80dB.

The instrument's frequency range extends from 50MHz to 18GHz.

The R and S ESU from Rohde and Schwarz is a new family of CISPR16-1-1-compliant EMI test receivers that meets all civil and military standards for electromagnetic interference measurements.

A new, FFT-based test method considerably speeds up measurements.

The time-domain scan allows users to perform overview measurements more than 100 times faster than with existing EMI test receivers.

The instrument also features comprehensive test functions, a complete set of parallel detectors including the new CISPR-RMS detector, RF scan, IF analysis, and a flexible report layout function.

Alcatel-Lucent adopts testers for IPTV

2008-02-02T02:36:00.000-08:00

Alcatel-Lucent has chosen Agilent as a formal test and measurement partner for its IPTV ecosystem

Alcatel-Lucent has chosen Agilent as a formal test and measurement (T and M) partner for its IPTV ecosystem. The partnership will enable collaboration to ensure that new IP-based video deployments meet end-to-end service-quality expectations. Agilent test solutions provide a holistic approach to measuring and monitoring video service quality from R and D and lab-based performance validation, through to service assurance and network troubleshooting.
Realising the critical role that T and M solutions play in the effective delivery of IP-based video services, Alcatel-Lucent has proactively established formal relationships with best-in-class vendors in the IPTV T and M segment.

Service providers and network equipment manufacturers face the challenge of converging new IP-based video services, such as IPTV and video on demand (VOD), with existing voice and data services to residential customers over a single access point.

Ensuring network integrity, quality of service (QoS) and subscriber quality of experience (QoE) is critical to the success of video service deployments.

Agilent offers a portfolio of solutions for testing video service quality, including research and development through to network installation and ongoing monitoring.

Agilent equipment provides stress testing and service validation prior to and during the installation process, which significantly reduces post-deployment performance issues and helps prepare new service offerings for production networks.
Agilent's monitoring tools provide real-time video-quality analysis and troubleshooting for live video service deployments, which is critical given the complexity and ever-changing conditions within next-generation triple play networks.

These test solutions help network equipment manufacturers and service providers reduce time to market, lower development costs and minimise risks for new IP-based service offerings.

Alcatel-Lucent's IPTV ecosystem includes the following Agilent equipment.

The Agilent N2X multiservices test solution provides predeployment verification of IPTV service quality under highly scaled and dynamic triple play network conditions.

The N2X emulates thousands of dynamic IPTV subscribers and generates triple play video, voice over IP and data (high-speed Internet) traffic to place significant stress on IPTV network equipment.

N2X delivers real-time MDI metrics, protocol decodes and post-capture replay for IPTV traffic.

The Agilent J6900A is triple play analyser, which provides complete analysis and troubleshooting in a single platform for installation, monitoring and troubleshooting of voice, data and video services.

The analyser provides accurate measurements of VoIP, IPTV and VoD Quality of Experience as well as real-time channel-zapping analysis.

The Agilent FrameScope Pro handheld instrument allows technicians to measure point-to-point network performance and to correlate triple play transport quality and QoS with end-user QoE.

Its network test toolbox provides insights into network impairments and helps locate failures and bottlenecks.

'Agilent equips network equipment manufacturers and service providers with the tools they need to measure video service quality at the most granular level', said Rod Unverrich, Business Manager of Agilent's Data Network Operation.

'Our video test solutions address all stages of the test cycle to improve both the time to market and performance of new video service deployments'.

Guide covers full range of test and measurement

2008-01-31T23:48:00.000-08:00

The 2008 Keithley 'Test and measurement product guide' includes useful tutorials and selector guides, as well as information on innovations in test and measurement

Keithley Instruments has published its 2008 'Test and measurement product guide', covering general-purpose and sensitive sourcing and measurement products, DC switching, RF switching and measurement, data acquisition solutions, semiconductor test systems and optoelectronics test hardware. Tutorials simplify choosing solutions for specific applications.
Arranged by product type and application area, each section of Keithley's 2008 'Test and measurement product guide' contains technical information on test-system design and use with practical tips to help users avoid common measurement errors, increase productivity, and lower their cost of test.

The guide includes useful tutorials and selector guides, as well as information on the newest innovations in test and measurement, including: digital multimeters and systems; switching and control; RF/microwave sourcing, switching and measurement; specialised power supplies; source and measure products; low level measurement and sourcing, including low-current high-resistance measurements and low-voltage low-resistance measurements; pulse/pattern generators; semiconductor test; optoelectronics test; Series KPXI system products; and data acquisition products

Software makes sense of complex signals

2008-01-31T23:42:00.000-08:00

Latest version provides complete multidimensional testing operations and advanced analysis and data generation capabilities

Signal Safari v7.0, the latest evolution in a line of Aeroflex Signal Safari software, enables advanced analysis of complex communications signal environments. Signal Safari software is designed for use with Aeroflex broadband measurement instruments, including broadband signal and environment generators, analysers, channel simulators and analysis workstations.
This new version of Signal Safari software provides complete multidimensional testing operations and advanced analysis and data generation capabilities for complex wireless communication research and development, microwave testing, signal analysis and satellite communication link test.

Signal Safari addresses the need to reduce development cost within a demanding operational environment.

The software allows test engineers to visualise and understand the entire operating environment, not just an isolated single test signal.

Using Signal Safari, engineers can develop a complete analysis of the signal and the system to avoid troublesome areas such as adjacent signal interference and impairments as well as visualise and understand the operation characteristics for instruments under test.

'Signal Safari is critical for reducing deployment costs of complex and expensive communication systems', says Mark Prichard, Business Development Technologist for Aeroflex.
'Signal Safari takes many testing capabilities and integrates them into a single-instrument solution'.

'This gives our customers the ultimate test flexibility'.

When used with the Aeroflex broadband measurement instruments, Signal Safari creates a powerful adaptive tool that allows the user to operate with the same interface as the application software installed on the instruments.

Signal Safari software is available in three application configurations - signal analyser, vector signal player and vector signal simulator.

The broadband signal analyser software package offers the following analysis functions: modulation domain with multi-dimensional, coherent demodulation; agile radio demodulation and analysis; pulse (radar) analysis; multiple-bandwidth power-domain analysis; fixed and frequency agile analogue demodulation - AM/FM/PM, PSK/QAM and FSK/MSK/ASK; and coherent modulation domain (simultaneous time, AM, FM and PM).

Broadband signal generators use the vector signal simulator and vector signal player software packages, which offer the following signal and mixed-signal creation capabilities: agile radio; FSK/MSK/ASK, PSK, QAM; radar pulse (fixed and frequency agile); tone comb, PM tone comb; analogue modulation (AM/FM/PM); additive white Gaussian noise; import of recorded or external source data files; commercial wireless standards (CDMA 2000, WCDMA, Edge, GSM IS 95, IS 136); and mixing several signal modulation types within the same test signal environment.

Signal Safari software can generate and analyse complex waveforms using a suite of powerful analysis tools within the vector signal simulator and broadband signal analyser applications.

The software also aids in generating a broad range of signals, from simple CW tones to complex signal environments containing multiple signals of various communications standards.

Signal Safar v7.0 software is included on Aeroflex's broadband instruments to provide the industry's best data generation and analysis tools on the market.

The applications are also available for use on workstation computer systems for offline analysis and data file creation capability.

Both the software and instruments are highly configurable.

Wiring analyser allows rapid testing

2008-01-30T02:41:00.000-08:00

The Horizon II is capable of 128-point testing, with the possibility of expanding up to 1024 points, with the capability of switching 1A and hipot testing up to 1500V DC and/or 1067V AC

Clare Instruments has released an all-in-one bench top high voltage wiring analyser that suits the rapid hipot testing of cables, connectors and harnesses. The Horizon II provides a fully integrated and flexible data management tool offering virtually unlimited data storage and reporting capabilities.
Tough, portable and reliable, the Horizon II is designed for hipot testing up to 1500V DC/1067V AC within the most demanding of production test environment.

It has a built-in PC with Flash memory and eight digital I/O, and the Windows-based operating system and integral colour touch screen enable the user to undertake quick and easy test programming.

Up to 128-point testing can be carried out with the Horizon II and the product's versatility enables expansion up to 1024 points, with the capability of switching 1A and hipot testing up to 1500V DC and/or 1067V AC.

It has real-time temperature and humidity on-screen display and label printer support.

Other features include built-in 'start' and 'stop' buttons, simple on-screen user help tips and a redesigned adapter retention system which significantly improves user load/unload times.

Half-rack supplies for flexible test regimes

2008-01-30T02:33:00.000-08:00

Safety Power Group offers the SM800 series of half-rack programmable power supplies

Following the success of its SM1500 series of programmable power supplies Delta Elektronika has developed a lower power output version in the shape of the all new SM800 series. The half-19in-rack-width size allows system designers to fit two power supplies side by side which can offer a wide choice of output voltage and current combinations.
Standard features include analogue programming and monitoring, and the supplies boast excellent response to load changes, a good temperature coefficient and for long life at full power.

The SM series archives very high EMC immunity (industrial) and very low emission (residential EN55022B).

The models boast emission in the order of 10-30 times lower than competing products.

Options include Ethernet, IEEE488 and RS232 interfaces, analogue isolation, two-quadrant operation, and source and sink (absorbing power to 140W).

Micro ohm meters provide versatility

2008-01-28T05:47:00.000-08:00

The DO5000 has programmable current settings in 100 steps from 10uA to 10A and measures from 3mohm to 30kohm with a resolution of 0.1uohm and +/-0.03% accuracy

The upgraded Cropico DO5000 series of micro ohm meters offers increased flexibility for the highly accurate measurement of resistance values in a variety of electrical manufacturing, electronic component testing and equipment calibration applications. The DO5000 has programmable current settings in 100 steps from 10uA to 10A and measures from 3mohm to 30kohm with a resolution of 0.1uohm and +/-0.03% accuracy.
Variable measurement speed settings of 50, 25 or 2.5 per second allows the selection of high speed testing for production line applications, a medium mode where the device under test needs more time to settle or a slow speed for manual operation where display clarity is a priority.

True four-wire resistance measurement eliminates lead resistance errors, while auto averaging and automatic temperature compensation with 20C referencing or other user-defined settings increases true measurement accuracy.

All these options are included in the basic DO5000 unit as well as a data logging function which stores up to 4000 readings with a date and time stamp.

Statistical analysis of these values allows the display of max/min/average values as well as peak to peak and standard deviation.

Interfaces may added for remote control and integration into automated test systems.

For applications where portability is required the Cropico 5001 model can be powered from either a mains supply or rechargeable batteries.

Measurement guide prevents common mistakes

2008-01-28T05:43:00.000-08:00

Cropico's Guide to Low Resistance Measurement features tables of wire and cable characteristics, temperature coefficients and formulae

Cropico has published a new guide providing an overview of low-resistance measurement techniques, common causes of errors and advice on how to avoid them. The free, colour 34-page Guide to Low resistance measurement features tables of wire and cable characteristics, temperature coefficients and formulae to enable the user to select the appropriate measuring instrument and measurement technique.
The Guide includes a useful section explaining the role and importance of resistance measurement in the manufacture of electronic components, switches, relays, connectors cabling, electric motor and generators and fuses.

Information on resistance measurement requirements in the automotive and railway utilities industries has also been featured.

The glossary of terms at the end of the guide provides an easy-to-follow explanation of terms relating to both bonding and earth resistance, as well as common industry acronyms such as DMM (digital multimeter), DUT (device under test) and AWG (American wire gauge).

Basestation protocol tester covers a wider band

2008-01-17T23:52:00.000-08:00

Protocol tester allows infrastructure developers to create and test new GSM basestation software and hardware features by providing a mobile emulation

Aeroflex has added Wideband AMR (adaptive multirate) support to its highly successful 6113 AIME basestation protocol test system. The new test capability relates to the 3GPP TS45.003 test specification. The new Wideband AMR codecs (TCH/WFS12.65, TCH/WFS8.85, TCH/WFS6.60) build on existing narrowband AMR technology and their introduction will significantly improve the quality of voice services due to the wider speech bandwidth used.
'Wideband AMR features need to be correctly configured, optimised and maintained if subscribers are to get the full quality of service benefits that the new speech codecs can deliver', says Ross Broadhurst, Product Marketing Manager, Aeroflex Test Solutions Wireless Division.

'The launch of the new Wideband AMR test capability on our 6113 AIME protocol test system is of significant benefit to infrastructure developers who will be able to develop, integrate and test Wideband AMR basestation capabilities, in advance of the mobile handset capability becoming available'.

A powerful test and development tool, the Aeroflex 6113 AIME basestation protocol tester allows infrastructure developers to create and test new GSM basestation software and hardware features by providing a mobile emulation.

Combining the 6113E test set with the 6113E AIME (air interface monitor emulation) software package, it provides software engineers with a layer 1, layer 2 and layer 3 monitoring and emulation capability for the Um interface.

Software engineers can monitor, debug and fault find the layer 1 and protocol interchanges on the Um interface with fully decoded display of layer 2 and layer 3 messages.

In addition, the 6113 AIME protocol test system features sophisticated script editing, debugging, execution and automation facilities, logging of all air interface signalling and logging of all traffic frames.

Oscilloscopes turn to FlexRay analysis

2008-01-10T04:20:00.000-08:00

Allows automotive designers using embedded MCUs to verify proper signal integrity of their FlexRay signals and effectively debug protocol and signal integrity issues

Agilent Technologies has developed a measurement application that provides comprehensive FlexRay triggering, protocol decode, debug and eye-diagram analysis capabilities for Infiniium Series oscilloscopes. This measurement solution allows automotive designers who use embedded microprocessors to verify proper signal integrity of their FlexRay signals and effectively debug protocol and signal integrity issues.
The FlexRay serial bus is an automotive communication bus with a time-triggered, deterministic architecture.

Designers are rapidly adopting this high-performance, fault-tolerant serial bus, especially for today's higher-end automobiles, including BMW's X5 SUV, where it is being used initially to support a suspension application.

Because of the fault-tolerant nature of the FlexRay protocol, FlexRay technology is expected to be used in the near future for many safety-critical applications such as steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire and collision-avoidance systems.

The Infiniium-based Agilent FlexRay analysis solution supports user-selectable standard datarates of 2.5, 5.0 and 10Mbit/s.

The decoded information shows the frame ID, cycle number and the payload of the FlexRay signal.
In addition to decoding the FlexRay bus, this new option performs a software clock recovery based on resynchronisation of an ideal 10MHz FlexRay clock to each byte start sequence (BSS) event.

This recovered clock is used to create and display a real-time eye diagram.

A FlexRay real-time eye provides a composite view of the quality of FlexRay signals, including an automatic measure of system jitter.

Masks based on TP1, TP2, TP3 or TP4 requirements can also be applied for automatic pass/fail testing.

If a mask test fails, engineers can easily 'unfold' the eye diagram to quickly locate the failed bit.

Automotive embedded devices, including FlexRay devices, must be tested under simulated extreme conditions in environmental chambers.

These extreme conditions may include testing ECUs (engine control units) and differential serial buses at temperatures exceeding 100C.

The active circuitry in today's typical active probes cannot tolerate temperatures exceeding 55C.

However, engineers can use Agilent 1130 Series InfiniiMax active probes and N5450A SMP microwave extension cables to extend and displace the probe's active amplifier so it is outside the environmental chamber.

This configuration allows engineers to connect InfiniiMax passive probe heads to test points within the chamber at temperatures ranging from -55 to +155C.

The Agilent N5402A automotive application with FlexRay triggering, protocol decode, debug and eye-diagram analysis for Infiniium Series oscilloscopes is available now at a price of US $1500.

Diagnostic controller keeps costs down

2008-01-10T04:19:00.000-08:00

The Sorion Rigel VCi3 (versatile communications interface) is a microprocessor-based system that is designed for the communicating, controlling and testing bus-based vehicle systems and sub-systems

Sorion has released the Rigel VCi3 self-contained diagnostics controller. This is a low-cost, easy to use tool suited for use in the assembly and diagnostics of automotive vehicles and sub-assemblies. The Sorion Rigel VCi3 (versatile communications interface) is a microprocessor-based system that is designed for the communicating, controlling and testing bus-based vehicle systems and sub-systems.
Having CAN, LIN, K Line and RS232 interfaces coupled with analogue and isolated digital I/O the Rigel VCi3 can operate as a stand-alone unit, or as a peripheral to a PC/PLC based system.

The unit (housed in a rugged handheld enclosure with rubber hand grips) incorporates a graphics LCD, eight user-configurable pushbuttons and three status LEDs.

Power is taken from either the vehicle (or sub-system) being tested or via the USB interface, operating in the range of 8 - 30V and taking less than 100mA.

The Rigel VCi3 is ready to use within one second of being switched on, removing the need and complexity of a battery sub-system.

To program the Rigel VCi3 users simply connect to a PC via the opto-isolated USB interface and run the supplied Integrated Development Environment (RConsole).

Venom-SC is a high-level programming language designed for writing embedded control applications and built into the Rigel VCi3.

Integrated test system for use in Murrayfield

2008-01-03T02:12:00.000-08:00

Aeroflex's W-CDMA ACE 3G protocol analysis test system is a powerful, affordably priced, network emulator for design teams focusing on integration and regression testing of W-CDMA mobile devices

Aeroflex's W-CDMA ACE 3G protocol analysis test system is a powerful, yet affordably priced, network emulator designed to meet the needs of design teams focusing on integration and regression testing of W-CDMA mobile devices. Complementing Aeroflex's 6401 AIME/CT protocol conformance system that is used extensively by in-house pre-conformance test teams and independent GCF/PTCRB test laboratories, the Aeroflex W-CDMA ACE has been designed to facilitate integration and regression testing much earlier in the design cycle of new mobile devices than was previously possible.
Unlike using radio test sets on conformance test systems which rely on designs being almost complete before they can interoperate with the device under test, the Aeroflex W-CDMA ACE supports the early development of protocol test scenarios through its ability to test partial and incomplete designs.

For example, the RF hardware, DSP and L2 of the protocol stack can be tested without the L3 being present.

Also, with prices starting at GBP65,000/euro100,000/$120,000, the Aeroflex W-CDMA ACE potentially enables individual test engineers responsible for integration and regression testing to have their own network emulator, thereby relieving potential integration and regression test bottle-necks, improving productivity and accelerating the overall design process.

'Once the protocol stacks, RF and DSP have been developed for new mobile devices, the major task is to integrate all three elements and ensure the prototype works reliably', said Phil Medd, the Product Manager at Aeroflex responsible for UMTS test systems.

'Full conformance test systems are simply too costly to be purchased in sufficient volumes to enable individual engineers carrying out integration testing on mobile devices to have their own network emulator'.
'The Aeroflex W-CDMA ACE has been designed to make this possible'.

The Aeroflex W-CDMA ACE has a fully compliant 3GPP L2/L3 protocol stack and powerful base-band processing that allows a wide range of test scenarios to be executed as well as the protocol messaging to be logged, decoded and debugged.

It supports 3GPP Release 99, Rel-5 HSDPA and Rel-6 HSUPA.

However, 3GPP standards are not static and the Aeroflex W-CDMA ACE will continue to be developed to support the 3GPP standard as it evolves towards 3G LTE.

The Aeroflex W-CDMA ACE emulates up to three cells to facilitate handover testing and also includes a built-in fading emulator.

For some parts of the design, testing may be undertaken ahead of the formal 3GPP standard definition.

The Aeroflex W-CDMA ACE is capable of supporting approximately 75% of the protocol conformance test cases specified by 3GPP in TS34.123.

The optional TTCN-2 Target Adapter allows users to download standard ETSI 3GPP test cases and compile them to run on the W-CDMA ACE.

In addition, custom test scripts can be developed to test beyond the 3GPP specifications to give confidence that designs are robust.

The RF transceiver of Aeroflex W-CDMA ACE operates from 800-2200MHz so that, besides the standard UMTS bands used in Europe and many parts of Asia, it can be also used to design mobile devices for Japan, Korea and USA.

It also contains powerful base-band processors and utilises software defined radio techniques to allow the changes in 3GPP standards to be addressed without the constant need to change the hardware.

Most upgrades can be carried out in software only.

Bluetooth SIG certifies BRITS test system

2008-01-03T02:11:00.000-08:00

Agilent Technologies and Hyper Taiwan Technology have announced Category A certification of the Bluetooth RF Integrations Test System (BRITS) by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG)

Beginning on 1st May, all Bluetooth v2.0+EDR RF compliance tests must use a Category A qualification test system. As one of only three Bluetooth SIG-recognised Category A RF qualification test systems in the world, BRITS is suitable for use on Bluetooth v1.1, 1.2 and 2.0+EDR 23 test cases. BRITS is an automated Bluetooth qualification test system from Hyper Taiwan Technology that is built on an object-oriented software architecture.
It comprises system software and an RF control interface, and runs on the Windows XP/Windows 2000 operating system.

BRITS is currently used in Hyper Taiwan Technology's Lin-Ko, Taiwan, lab to perform official qualification testing.

Built to order, it has a delivery time of approximately 12 weeks.

An integral component of BRITS is a series of advanced RF test and measurement instrumentation from Agilent.

Such instruments include the E4438C signal generator, E4440A spectrum analyser, N4010A wireless connectivity test set and E8257D PSG analogue signal generator.

'We successfully implemented several research and development plans subsidized by the Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs' SBIR program', says Ching Lee, president of Hyper Taiwan Technology.

'This experience has given us a strong foundation for creating wireless RF test system software'.

'With the official approval from Bluetooth SIG, we now have international recognition'.

'Through Agilent's successful rollout of industry-leading test and measurement solutions for Bluetooth, and creation of strategic partnerships with companies around the world, we continue to assert our leadership and ongoing commitment to enabling the success of Bluetooth as a global technology', says Patrick Byrne, president of Agilent's Electronic Measurements Group.

'This leadership, together with our ongoing innovations and active participation in the industry, is critical to ensuring that today's engineers have the tools they need to create the next-generation of wireless communication'.

Scope analyses analogue and digital simultaneously

2008-01-03T02:08:00.000-08:00

High-performance mixed-signal oscilloscope combines four 1GHz analogue channels with a 32bit logic input

The Yokogawa SignalXplorer DL9710L is a high-performance mixed-signal oscilloscope which combines four 1GHz analogue channels with a 32bit logic input. The new instrument can carry out simultaneous measurement and analysis on four channels of analogue data and 32bit logic signals, with each analogue channel offering a 1GHz frequency bandwidth and a sampling speed of up to 5Gsample/s.
The memory length of 6.25Mword per channel is available across all 36 channels.

Other features include high-speed acquisition and quick response, with an uncompromised update rate of up to 25,000 waveforms per second, a history memory function for more efficient waveform observation and analysis, and powerful zoom and search functions.

Unlike existing mixed-signal oscilloscopes which offer limited display and analysis capabilities for logic signals, the DL9710L is optimised for users who wish to analyse logic signals as well as analogue waveforms.

It features the full state display and bus display functions typically found on logic analysers, allowing co-ordinated analysis of analogue and logic signals.

The history memory function on the DL9710L allows the user to recall and display previously acquired data from up to 2000 screens' worth of past waveforms.
This ability to redisplay and subsequently analyse data offers significant benefits in troubleshooting and analysis.

The DL9710L also includes powerful functions for searching the memory for desired waveforms, and zoom functions for observing these waveforms in detail.

In addition to searching based on criteria such as signal edge, pulse, and multichannel state, the history memory can be searched by serial or parallel waveform patterns and waveform parameters.

Users can quickly find desired waveform data in memory, enlarge the area with the zoom function, and scroll the data.

A dual-window zoom function simultaneously zooms in on two areas.

Two individual zoom factors and positions can be set with independent timescales and displayed simultaneously.

Using the automatic scroll function, it is possible to automatically scroll waveforms captured in long memory and change the position of the zoom areas.

Powerful trigger functions include the ability to trigger conditions using a logic signal as the source.

Various trigger conditions can be combined to capture only the desired signals.

The DL9710L allows the user to assign 32bit logic signals into up to five groups, with no limit to the number of bits allowed in each group.

Groups are assigned using a graphical interface for flexible and easy settings.

Even in cases such as where a reconfigurable device's pin assignments have been changed, the corresponding adjustments can be made by simply by changing the mapping of the groups.

Analyses such as bus display, state display, and digital/analogue conversion can be executed on a group-by-group basis.

Options are available to allow serial bus analysis to be carried out on I2C, SPI, CAN and LIN bus systems, with triggers for these bus types included as standard features.

These functions make it easy to discriminate between partial software failures and physical-layer waveform problems when troubleshooting systems by observing the physical-layer characteristics of signals.

With the dual-window zoom function, the DL9710L can simultaneously analyse and display waveforms from buses running at different speeds.

Automatic waveform parameter measurements include maximum, minimum, peak-to-peak, pulsewidth, period, frequency, rise time, fall time and duty ratio.

It is also possible to calculate the statistics of waveform parameters, such as the average, maximum, minimum and standard deviation, over multiple cycles within an acquisition or over multiple acquisitions.

A mask test function is supplied as standard that can be used as an automatic parameter measurement function for eye-pattern analysis or for evaluating the signal quality of data communication.

Signal quality can be easily analysed on the oscilloscope.

A further option is available for power-supply analysis using the waveform computation function, the statistical competition function, and the automated parameter measurement function.

Harmonic analysis of power-supply current based on EN61000-3-2 is also supported.

The DL9710L is a compact, lightweight unit, measuring approximately 350 x 200 x 285mm and weighing approximately 8kg.

Analysers ease component characterisation

2007-12-27T02:07:00.000-08:00

The 6500B is a billed as a big step forward in the world of precision impedance analysers

Available now in the UK from PDS Instruments is the Wayne Kerr 6500B series of precision impedance analysers. Building on Wayne Kerr's reputation as a market leader in the design and manufacture of precision impedance analysers, the 6500B series is available in seven models all offering the same 0.05% basic accuracy with maximum frequency ranges of 20Hz to 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50 and 120MHz.

With its large TFT touchscreen, intuitive interface, clear graphics display, high measurement speed and maximum frequency range of 120MHz, the 6500B is a billed as a big step forward in the world of precision impedance analysers.

The 6500B can sweep frequency, drive level or DC bias and display two chosen parameters graphically on the large colour LCD, making characterisation of components and materials a simple process.

Compression software expands frequency analysis

2007-12-27T02:06:00.000-08:00

Gain compression application enables engineers to measure many frequencies easily and with extreme speed and accuracy

Agilent Technologies has developed a new gain compression application (GCA) for its premier-performance PNA-X network analyser. Its ability to provide fast, accurate compression data, at multiple frequencies and with a simple setup, makes this new measurement capability ideal for engineers and technicians characterising, measuring and testing amplifiers during R and D and manufacturing.
Agilent's GCA measurement capability is an option for the PNA-X network analyser for single-connection active-device measurements from 10MHz to 26.5GHz.

Providing automated and simple gain compression over a wide power-sweep range, it enables engineers to measure many frequencies easily and with extreme speed and accuracy.

Faster data acquisition is possible with fewer sweeps, using just one channel.

Additionally, a guided calibration with compression, power and mismatch correction ensures highly accurate results, creates tighter guard bands and enables more accurate system simulations.

Engineers today use various methods to characterise the compression of amplifiers, including the use of a traditional network analyser with power sweep at a single CW frequency.
Unfortunately, this method has inaccuracies such as mismatch errors and, when used to characterise a wide frequency range with many frequency points, can be slow and inconvenient.

These slow test times, coupled with the time it takes to set up the measurement process, translates into higher test costs.

Agilent's new GCA measurement option for the PNA-X eliminates the problems associated with lengthy test times and inconvenient setups by providing a single connection solution with a unique Smart Sweep capability that is easy-to-use, fast and accurate.

Smart Sweep uses an optimised algorithm to find the desired compression points.

Using fewer data points - selected based on a proprietary algorithm - it yields a very accurate characterisation of the DUT over the desired range.

Because this approach is much faster than measuring all the finely spaced points on the power curve that are normally needed for the same level of accuracy, Smart Sweep can significantly reduce the overall test time and improves manufacturing throughput.

The GCA also offers a 2D sweep capability in which engineers can specify the frequency range, power range, and number of frequency and power points.

The GCA gathers the data for the entire range and finds the specified compression point.

The 2D data array can then be saved to an external file.

This capability, and the choice of sweep frequency per power or sweep power per frequency, enables complete device characterisation.

GCA can provide the user with standard S-parameters at the linear power level and the compression parameters at the compression level.

Available compression parameters are input and output power at compression, and gain and phase at compression.

Additionally, GCA's compression algorithm is very flexible.

It offers engineers the choice of many compression methods, including X/Y compression, compression from back off, compression from linear gain and compression from maximum gain.

Emulators comply with SAS and SATA protocols

2007-12-27T02:03:00.000-08:00

Emulators are the industry's first to enable developers to generate valid and invalid traffic at datarates up to 6Gbit/s

LeCroy has made a major upgrade to the industry's only 6Gbit/s traffic-generation emulators for SAS and SATA protocols. Designed to run on the popular LeCroy STX-460 platform, the emulators are the industry's first to enable developers to generate valid and invalid traffic at datarates up to 6Gbit/s.
The new enhancements add additional capability to support connection multiplexing for both hosts and devices, as well as for the new SMP commands and emulating two hosts or two drives simultaneously.

'One of the most significant and complex new additions to the SAS specification is connection multiplexing', says Matthew Hallberg, Storage Protocol Specialist for LeCroy's Protocol Solutions Group.

'Emulation systems that can generate traffic supporting this new capability are crucial to SAS product developers, enabling them to test and debug this functionality in their products'.

'The STX-460 platform from LeCroy is the only test system capable of emulating connection multiplexing from either the host or device side, enabling storage-system designers to accelerate their product development cycle ahead of industry-wide adoption'.

With the new STX emulators, high-level commands can be easily defined and sent to initiator or target devices through a series of convenient pull-down menus.

All traffic on the bus - including both traffic generated by the STX and returned traffic from the device under test - is captured and displayed in an intuitive trace format.

Looping, iteration and a wealth of conditional statements provide for precise control of the emulator scripting routines.

Vector signal analysis for long-term evolution

2007-12-19T22:52:00.000-08:00

Software option provides RF and baseband engineers with comprehensive signal analysis solution for LTE physical layer testing and troubleshooting of LTE transceivers and components

Agilent Technologies has added a new 3GPP LTE modulation analysis option for its 89600 Series vector signal analysis software. The new option provides today's RF and baseband engineers with the industry's most comprehensive signal analysis solution for LTE physical layer testing and troubleshooting of LTE transceivers and components.
The Agilent 3GPP LTE option enables LTE signal analysis from baseband to antenna, on digitised or analogue signals - both uplink and downlink.

Agilent's 3GPP LTE option is specifically designed to give R and D engineers deep insight into the RF and modulation characteristics of an LTE prototype device.

It enables analysis of spectrum and EVM measurements for the entire frame, or within a frame on a subframe, slot or individual symbol on data and control channels, as well as synchronisation and reference signals.

Together with the Agilent 89600 VSA software, it is the only analysis tool capable of analysing both uplink (SC-FDMA) and downlink (OFDMA) LTE signals in a single option.

As a result, R and D engineers can perform transmitter measurements on both the basestation and mobile station using the same solution.
Measurements can be made anywhere in the block diagram, from baseband to antenna, using spectrum and signal analysers, oscilloscopes, and logic analysers.

They can also be made on simulated designs created with the Agilent EEsof Advanced Design System (ADS) or The MathWorks Simulink solutions.

Engineers can now use one measurement console, with consistent measurements and displays, across the entire block diagram - instead of having to design their own displays and measurement algorithms.

As a result, a significant savings in both time and money can be realised.

And, since the engineers can use the best front end with the best specifications available, there is greater confidence in measurement results.

The 3GPP LTE option, along with the Agilent high-performance PSA Series spectrum analyser, provides an industry-leading EVM of -50dB for a 10MHz LTE signal - a capability that is key to addressing stringent EVM requirements for higher-order modulation schemes up to 64 QAM.

The software employs extensive active-channel-based colour coding and marker coupling among multiple EVM traces to simplify LTE signal analysis and measurements.

Specific transmitter-modulation quality measurements supported include EVM per OFDM carrier, EVM per OFDM symbol, EVM per slot and EVM per resource block - a measurement unique to Agilent.

In contrast to other LTE solutions, the Agilent 3GPP LTE solution provides EVM traces for RMS EVM, as well as EVM for individual carriers, symbols, slots, and resource blocks for all LTE signals and channels (eg data and control channels, and synchronisation and reference signals).

Such unique functionality provides engineers with powerful tools to better troubleshoot LTE prototype devices and uncover modulation quality problems no matter where they are in the PHY layer.

'Agilent is and remains fully committed to addressing the performance and functionality requirements of engineers creating products for the LTE market', says Guy Sene, Vice President of Agilent's Signal Analysis Division.

'Our new 3GPP LTE option, with its comprehensive approach to LTE signal analysis, is yet another step in our realising that commitment'.

'Further, it is a continuation of our commitment to ensuring the popular 89600 Series VSA software supports all emerging communications standards, thereby enabling today's engineers to stay at the forefront of fast-evolving technologies like 3GPP LTE'.

The Agilent 3GPP LTE signal analysis solution supports all LTE bandwidths up to 20MHz with Type 1 FDD frame structure.

It also supports all modulation formats including bit/sK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, as well as all modulation sequences including CAZAC and OSxPRS sequences.

The software analyses any one of the up to four transmit antenna ports defined for the LTE downlink transmitter.

Auto-detection of downlink data-burst allocations is also supported, along with manual entry of data bursts and auto-recall of Agilent Signal Studio setup files.

For LTE uplink, the signal analysis solution supports half subcarrier shift as defined by the 3GPP standard, a capability unique to Agilent.

Additionally, it features a well designed interface that includes up to six simultaneous, user-selected displays and provides engineers with an efficient and effective view of measurement results.

The Agilent 3GPP LTE modulation analysis option for the 89600 vector signal analysis software is available now through Agilent's direct sales channels and worldwide distribution partners at US $10,000 for a node-locked licence.

Waveform generators on the pulse

2007-12-19T22:50:00.000-08:00

New option allows users to design analogue pulses and their parameters in the time domain, exactly as they would be programmed on a dedicated pulse generator

Tabor Electronics has added a digital pulse option for its model 5061/2 and 1071/2 waveform generators. The new option has been designed to meet the market demand for a low-frequency pulse feature, allowing them to design analogue pulses and their parameters in the time domain, exactly as they would be programmed on a dedicated pulse generator.
The new option will come in the form of special firmware, enabling the new digital pulse feature, while removing access to the sequencer panels from the front panel.

The standard models will keep being delivered with the original firmware not including the new feature, unless specifically requested at time of purchase.

Clients will additionally be able to download the special firmware from Tabor's online download centre, enabling access to the new digital pulse panels at any time.

According to Ron Glazer, Tabor's Business Development Manager: 'There is no doubt that the new option will supersede even the tremendous success of the original WW5061/2 and WW1071/2 models, once again demonstrating the responsiveness and dedication of Tabor to the ever-growing demands of today's applications'.

Transmitter puts receivers on trial

2007-12-19T22:49:00.000-08:00

Tester combines an RF signal generator, power amplifier and baseband generator into a compact package with an attractive price/performance ratio

The R and S SFE100 test transmitter from Rohde and Schwarz targets production test applications for set-top boxes, TV sets and other broadcast terminal units and modules. This signal source's compact design makes it easy to install - especially in complex test systems. The R and S SFE100 combines an RF signal generator, power amplifier and baseband generator into a compact package with an attractive price/performance ratio.
By providing multiple functions in a single unit, it lowers purchase and operating costs, increases reliability, and simplifies maintenance.

The R and S SFE100 is designed as a single-standard test transmitter and comes in several models to handle common terrestrial, satellite, cable, and mobile TV standards as well as a number of sound broadcasting standards.

The signal generator's real-time coders deliver endless and seamless test signals.

This is particularly useful in production applications because the signal generators do not have to be synchronised with the production cycle.

Moreover, modulation parameters can be set as required for each transmission standard.
Users can, for example, define the constellation, code rate, and FFT mode.

These parameters can be varied independently of the transport stream or A/V signal to be transmitted.

This allows all conceivable versions of a standard to be tested.

The real-time coder automatically adjusts the corresponding signalling information for the receiver.

The R and S SFE100 can be equipped with an optional power amplifier that has a maximum output power of +27dBm.

This higher signal level makes the instrument an ideal choice for use in production test systems in which the signals of multiple test transmitters are combined in a coupling network and distributed over large distances.

To compensate for the accompanying losses, a high signal level is required.

Each R and S SFE100 model can be equipped with a baseband generator appropriate for the specific transmission standard under test.

For digital transmission, the baseband signal is provided in the form of transport streams.

For ATV modulators, the signal takes the form of analogue CCVS signals.

No external baseband generator is required and this significantly reduces the number of instruments required - especially in complex test systems.

The R and S SFE100 covers a wide range of applications in the field of broadcasting.

In addition to the real-time coder models, the R and S SFE100 can be configured with an arbitrary waveform generator.

This model can replay waveform libraries from Rohde and Schwarz for various transmission standards as well as user-specific I/Q waveforms.

This allows the R and S SFE100 to generate any externally computed RF signals - from complex modulation signals to special interference signals such as notched noise.

The R and S SFE100 features a powerful hardware platform for baseband signal processing.

The platform delivers the I and Q bit streams for the wideband vector modulator and is factory-configured for the specific transmission standard.

Alliance looks to the next generation of networks

2007-12-19T22:40:00.000-08:00

Anritsu will help the NGMN Alliance devise strategies for maximising the availability and service quality of the new mobile network technologies adopted by its members

Anritsu has become the first test solutions vendor to be granted membership of the Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance. Anritsu's technology experts will help the NGMN Alliance devise strategies for maximising the availability and service quality of the new mobile network technologies adopted by its members.
The NGMN Alliance was founded in 2006 by leading network operators to develop a coherent vision for the mobile industry's evolution towards next-generation mobile broadband networks.

NGMN's primary objective is to create a virtuous cycle of investment, innovation, and adoption of mobile broadband services with competitive price-performance ratios.

NGMN supports and complements the work of existing standards development organisations by establishing clear performance targets, fundamental recommendations, functional requirements, and deployment scenarios.

The accomplishments of NGMN in 2007 include agreement on a new IPR regime, clarifying the spectrum requirements for the next generation of mobile networks, initiation of trials for various candidate technologies, and continued contributions to standards development organisations.

The 2008 roadmap of the NGMN Alliance emphasises the need for the finalisation of the relevant standards, focuses on developing the required elements of the ecosystem and on getting results from technology evaluation studies and validation trials.
Dr Peter Meissner, Operating Officer of NGMN, is happy to welcome Anritsu as a new NGMN Sponsor: 'To ensure proper end-to-end interoperability of terminals, network infrastructure, service platforms, and legacy systems already during the standardisation and early system design phase is crucial for the successful development and deployment of next-generation mobile systems'.

'NGMN is glad to have Anritsu on board, along with other test solution providers and testing houses, as this will greatly help us to achieve our challenging objectives and to make the vision of NGMN reality'.

The experience and wealth of knowledge that Anritsu will bring to the Alliance is born out of the Corporation's global strategy of providing a true end-to-end portfolio of test and monitoring solutions, focused on delivering the reality of communications network convergence and the ubiquitous network society.

The portfolio the corporation offers today spans the complete network lifecycle through research and development, conformance test, manufacturing, installation and maintenance, network monitoring and OSS service assurance.

With engineers that have a wealth of experience developing solutions for 3G, HSPA Evolution, WiMAX, MIMO, LTE, and high speed optical and IP networks across the whole industry, Anritsu is ready and able to play a vital role within the NGMN working groups.

Jonathan Borrill, Director of Market Strategy, comments: 'As sponsors of NGMN, Anritsu is very excited to contribute in a number of areas which will help the industry assure that the devices, networks and services for NGMN come to market with the right level of quality to meet user expectations'

Reporting application tracks handset popularity

2007-11-28T06:23:00.000-08:00

Agilent's Handset Revenue Analytics allows operators to determine whether a handset is properly configured, downloads data successfully and connects to the network without a struggle

Agilent Technologies has introduced a reporting application for handset revenue analytics that enables operators to evaluate the performance and popularity of specific handsets over time. This functionality is the first assureME Intelligence reporting tool based on Agilent's new data warehousing and reporting platform for mobile broadband networks.
It allows operators to determine whether a handset is properly configured, downloads data successfully, connects to the network without a struggle and is actually the handset type specified by the customer contract.

These reports can help operators protect revenues by identifying handsets that prevent customers from using high-value services.

Agilent's Handset Revenue Analytics exploits the capacity of Agilent's new operational-support-system (OSS) data warehousing and reporting platform, which is built on the Teradata data warehouse.
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This is the first platform that can handle over two billion transaction detail records (TDRs) a day generated by lucrative packet-based services in mobile broadband networks.

Operators can further extend Handset Revenue Analytics by integrating billing, customer care and other business support systems, using numerical data such as phone numbers within individual TDRs to identify the appropriate business support system (BSS) records.

This capability allows operators to build reports that measure the revenue customers generate and understand the services and downloads they use.

Operators can then tailor advertising and promotions that speak directly to customer preferences.

They can even use ongoing calling location information to make informed judgments about where to place billboards or open stores.

Operators can build reports on the appeal of particular handsets and decide which handsets to promote and which to upgrade.

They can also measure trends in the popularity of third-party services and make cost-effective decisions about whether to continue these services.

'Agilent's new business reporting capability and framework is really a marketer's dream', said Neil Haydon, Worldwide Marketing Manager, Agilent Assurance Solutions Division.

'Operators can determine what services are making money, which customers are the most valuable, what these customers like and generally, where to focus investments and cut losses'.

Optical tester suits ROADM networks

2007-11-28T06:22:00.000-08:00

The TLS-55 Smart Optical tester provides a highly accurate method for measuring the true optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) in reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) networks

JDSU has released the TLS-55 Smart Optical tester, a handheld, battery-powered tunable laser source. Designed to support ROADM network test applications, the tester is fully compatible with the JDSU optical spectrum analyser for the T-BERD/MTS-8000, which uses a new, highly accurate method for measuring the true optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) in reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) networks.
The tester is designed for channel routing applications such as wavelength tracking, in ROADM networks.

JDSU is the industry leader in ROADM solutions for telecommunications applications, with a broad portfolio of ROADM technologies and solutions for metro to long-haul networks.

'ROADM networks present test challenges that require a deep knowledge of the architectures involved', said Enzo di Luigi, General Manager of JDSU's Fibre Optics Communications Test and Measurement Group.

'JDSU offers the industry's most innovative fibre field test solutions, including those for ROADM networks, and the TLS-55 Smart Optical tunable laser source is yet another JDSU optical test solution that will enable the efficient and flexible delivery of next-generation ROADM networks'.

The TLS-55 is available in two models.
The TLS-55C covers all ITU-T frequencies from 1528.384 to 1563.863nm based on a 50GHz grid.

The additional wavelength of 1510nm ensures testing of optical supervisory channels.

The TLS-55L is the complementary laser source to address applications in the L-band form 1570.42 to 1608.76nm.

Additional features of the TLS-55 include an adjustable output power level, a power supply management system on the market with three-way powering, a USB port for remote operation, a robust, shock-proof, and splash-proof design for field operation, and quick-start operation, requiring no warm-up time and reducing testing time.

JDSU's OSA-320, an in-band optical spectrum analyser (OSA) for the T-BERD/MTS-8000, incorporates a new method for true optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR) measurement in ROADM networks, allowing it to test optical performance in the Agile optical network (AON).

An AON is a dynamically reconfigurable DWDM network that is designed to accelerate triple-play service deployment, simplify network management and enable advanced wavelength applications at significantly reduced costs.

In the AON, each channel may traverse different routes, optical amplifiers, and add-drop filters, resulting in different OSNR for each channel.

Microwave generator achieves high frequencies

2007-11-28T06:20:00.000-08:00

The VCO-based architecture of the MG37020A microwave signal generator integrates advanced RF hardware, enhanced computing and digital interfaces that minimise command and trigger delays

Anritsu has released the MG37020A fast-switching microwave signal generator that uses a VCO-based hardware architecture to achieve a frequency switching speed of 100usec per point. The he MG37020A is well suited to integration into automated test systems used in defence signal simulation and manufacturing ATE, where minimum test time and maximum throughput are critical.
The VCO-based architecture integrates advanced RF hardware, enhanced computing and digital interfaces that minimise command and trigger delays.

The result is that the MG37020A has switching speed an order of magnitude faster than comparable YIG-based signal generators while maintaining low phase noise of typically -101dBc/Hz at 10kHz offset at 10GHz.

The MG37020A's overall performance makes it ideal for data-intensive applications, such as antenna testing, satellite payload testing and terrestrial microwave link testing.
The increased throughput and lower cost of testing created by the fast switching speed also make the MG37020A excellent for high-volume component manufacturing, such as RFIC and MMIC testing.

The MG37020A covers a frequency range of 10MHz to 20GHz in 0.001Hz steps.

It features +23dBm output power at 20GHz and high-performance pulse modulation to conduct highly accurate signal simulation of pulsed signals.

The MG37020A uses a Windows XP Professional platform, has a colour touch screen display and allows the use of a mouse and keyboard.

The user interface (UI) has been optimised for ease of use with an intuitive menu flow, familiar icons and on-screen function keys.

Enhanced connectivity with USB 2.0 device and host, Ethernet LAN, IEEE-488 GPIB and RS-232 Serial I/O are all standard.

The variety of connectivity options and the MG37020A's low profile of 133 x 450mm further enhance the signal generator's ATE advantages.

Wi-Fi tester predicts real-world load scenarios

2007-11-19T04:40:00.000-08:00

A new member of the EmulationEngine family provides support for 802.11i Robust Security Network (RSN) test and analysis for critical aspects of wireless network security

Extending its leadership in Wi-Fi test and analysis, Communication Machinery Corporation (CMC) has unveiled the EE-SEC, a new member of the EmulationEngine family that provides support for 802.11i Robust Security Network (RSN) test and analysis for critical aspects of wireless network security under full loads using multiple user-controllable wireless stations.
For the first time with the EE-SEC, WLAN network and equipment designers can test their features, design topography and design performance in real-world load scenarios to ensure the highest, most reliable performance possible for their security enabled WLAN products in an environment as specified in IEEE802.11i, 802.1x and 802.11 protocol operation.

In addition, using the EE-SEC, enterprises and government network engineers can create custom test scenarios and loads to anticipate performance and capacity problems before full secure wireless system deployment.

'WLAN security and performance of security enabled products is the key consideration today driving the rapid expansion of wireless LAN into core enterprise, government and business environments', said Dave Swan, CEO of Communication Machinery Corporation.

'Our customers rely on CMC's EmulationEngine to load, test, and verify their WLAN products performance to ensure they are selling solid, bug free, competitive products or designing and deploying robust and secure wireless networks'.

Only the EE-SEC includes the robust feature set that gives users the ability to control virtually all aspects of their 802.11i testing.
Using the EE-SEC, technicians can configure each of the multiple vSTA (virtual station) individually and independently to create real-world load scenarios and execute these tests with vSTA operating concurrently with bidirectional traffic and full security handshaking, exactly as if this were a multistation loading situation deployed in an enterprise setting.

This granular station-level control, over security and other parameters, and the EE-SEC's ability to impose this load on the system under test ensures the most stringent standards are designed-in and tested for products and wireless networks - every time.

The EE-SEC RSN (also referred to as 802.11i and WPA2) support includes correct handling on an individual vSTA basis of the RSN information element in beacons, probe responses, association requests and the AKMP four-way handshake, and user options for selection of RSN-PSK and RSN authentication types in addition to previous authentication modes.

The EE-SEC supports six authentication modes including open system, shared key, WPA-PSK, WPA, RSN-PSK and RSN.

With the EE-SEC, CMC also has expanded support for the Extended Authentication Protocol (EAP), a protocol supporting multiple authentication methods for WLAN access.

New EAP support includes two critical protocols for IEEE802.1X EAPoL authentication under WPA and RSN, the Protected EAP (PEAP) and the Tunnelled TLS (TTLS) authentication algorithms.

These new features, combined with the EmulationEngine's comprehensive support for TLS, allow network managers to rely on a single system for complete EAP test and analysis.

The EmulationEngine supports the TLS, TTLS with MS-CHAPv2, PEAPv0 with EAP-MSCHAPv2, and PEAPv1 with EAP-MSCHAPv2 EAP algorithms.

In addition, with the EE-SEC, engineers can build and run test scenarios which can be saved for future use.

They can also save the test run statistics and event log to a PC for review, analysis and reporting.

After changing their design, adjusting the equipment, or tweaking the network, the engineers can run the same test scenarios and compare results to identify and eliminate potentially problems or to ensure performance and operation issues are addressed.

The portable EE-SEC is priced between one-third to one-eighth the price of alternative systems, ensuring network engineers and designers that they can expand their test arsenal so units are readily available in multiple labs, in remote locations, and ready to be taken where needed.

Programmable supplies produce higher voltages

2007-11-19T04:39:00.000-08:00

The programmable PAS series is the latest in a complete line of high-performance high-reliability DC power supplies manufactured by Tokyo-based Kikusui

Available now in the UK from Telonic Instruments, the programmable PAS series is the latest in a complete line of high-performance high-reliability DC power supplies manufactured by Tokyo-based Kikusui. The PAS series are sophisticated variable-switching DC power supplies that refine and add to the advances of the conventional PAK-A Series.
Although the case size remains unchanged from conventional models, the PAS series incorporates a new high-efficiency switching circuit and power-factor correction circuit with a power factor of 0.98 that suppresses higher harmonic currents.

The PAS series comprises 27 models offering three different power levels - 350, 700 and 1000W - with maximum rated output voltages increased to 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 160, 320 and 500V to reflect changes in the voltage ranges required for margin testing of DC/DC convertors, batteries, automotive electrical components and motor-operated tools to high voltage or larger capacity formats.

This allows the PAS series to handle tests at 150% of 24V (36V) or at 150% of 48V (72V) with capacity to spare.

The PAS series are controlled using a multifunction dial allowing full control of the voltage and current, and feature a high-brightness four-digit display that provides indications down to 10mV/1mA.

An output power (W) display function is also provided.

The end result is improved operability and visibility.

Features include universal AC input, master slave control, remote sensing and the following analogue control functions: constant-voltage/constant-current output control function; output on/off control function; voltage and current monitoring; and power switch control function (external contact-based or voltage-based power switch off control).

The PAS series also uses the Kikusui developed digital communication function, TP-Bus (twisted pair bus).

Acquisition brings serial test software onboard

2007-11-19T00:18:00.000-08:00

Tektronix has acquired TDA Systems of Lake Oswego, Oregon, a provider of interconnect analysis software tools

TDA Systems, which has provided testing software to the electronics industry - including Tektronix - for high speed serial data, will be fully integrated with the company's sampling scope product line. 'TDA Systems has been a successful partner of Tektronix for many years', said John Taggart, General Manager, Electro Optical Product Line, Tektronix.
'Both companies have provided customers with complete solutions by integrating TDA's time domain analysis software tools with Tektronix' market leading time domain solutions to help customers push the performance limits of digital systems designs, shorten product time to market, and achieve design objectives more cost effectively and efficiently'.

'The acquisition of TDA will enable Tektronix to further leverage product and technology synergies to accelerate development and delivery of more complete solutions to our customers who are working in the emerging high-speed serial data application space'.

'We're very pleased to be joining Tektronix', said Dima Smolyansky, cofounder, TDA Systems.

'By integrating the technology and expertise of TDA's time domain analysis software tools with Tektronix' market-leading time domain solutions, we expect to gain a synergy that will accelerate delivery of leading edge solutions for the benefit of our mutual customers'.

The TDA software is already integrated with Tektronix' measurement instrumentation such as the TDS8200 sampling oscilloscope.
With full support of the TDR measurement system, the TDA software provides integrated simulate-and-compare links between Spice/Ibis simulators and measurements, and includes interfaces to electromagnetic field solvers and other analytical interconnect model generation tools.

The acquisition of TDA Systems will enable Tektronix to provide total solutions including signal acquisition and complex analysis for complex networks used to carry fast serial data.

Increasing serial data bit rates lead to shrinking design tolerances.

As a result, the characterisation of electrical signal paths and interconnects are becoming increasingly critical to ensure signal integrity.

Customers need to accurately and easily characterise design performance.

The combination of TDA analysis software with Tektronix TDS8200 sampling oscilloscopes provides customers with an excellent measurement package that speeds diagnosis and resolution of signal impairment problems.

IConnect and MeasureXtractor software tools developed by TDA extract gigabit interconnect models when used with Tektronix TDR/TDT (time-domain-reflectometry/time-domain-transmittance) TDS8200 oscilloscopes.

This technique is a proven alternative and more accessible methodology when compared with using a vector-network analyser (VNA) for obtaining S-parameter measurements to predict and display eye-diagram, jitter, losses, crosstalk, reflections and ringing in PCBs, flexboards, packages, sockets, connectors and cable assemblies.

By comparison, TDR/TDT measurements are much more straightforward to make.

TDR gives immediate feedback between the probe and the trace during reference and DUT (device under test) measurements, while with a VNA it is not transparent to the user.

Significantly, time domain waveforms are much more intuitive to understand, to determine the effects of different aspects of a particular DUT.

Oscilloscope software monitors jitter

2007-11-12T06:24:00.000-08:00

DPOJET maximises the timing and jitter measurements of complex clock, digital and serial data signals

Tektronix has released DPOJET, a new jitter and eye diagram analysis software application for DPO7000 and DPO/DSA70000 series oscilloscopes. DPOJET improves the accuracy, speed and efficiency of engineering tests by expanding on features from existing TDSJIT3 and TDSRTE products. New capabilities in DPOJET include improved ease of use and performance and the addition of compliance measurements for high-speed serial data technologies including PCI Express and DisplayPort.
It allows an uninterrupted workflow from first silicon analysis and characterisation through product debug, validation and test, to compliance test and standards certification.

The software is designed to take advantage of the performance of the DPO7000 and DPO/DSA70000 real-time oscilloscopes.

'From clock analysis at 20MHz to 10Gbit/s serial data streams, DPOJET maximises the timing and jitter measurements of complex clock, digital and serial data signals', said Brian Reich, General Manager, Performance Scope Product Line, Tektronix.

'DPOJET with our latest state of the art oscilloscopes is the only solution with enough record length and sample rate on all channels to perform advanced measurements for PCI Express, HDMI and DisplayPort compliance'.

'DPOJET provides our customers with an advanced, easy to use tool for the efficient measurement and characterisation of serial devices'.
The DPOJET software provides engineers with enhanced jitter and timing analysis capability for debug and design verification and multi-channel eye diagram analysis complete with mask and measurement limits testing capability for validation and compliance testing.

DPOJET supports several clock recovery options including software PLL, real-time eye diagrams, explicit clocks with PLL multipliers, as well as complex jitter analysis and compliance testing with pass/fail limit checks.

Jitter is an extremely complex topic, with many ways to approach measurements.

More experienced engineers tend to get better answers due to the intricacies of setting up the instrumentation correctly.

DPOJET's One Touch Wizard and Jitter Guide allows even engineers new to the topic to make accurate and reliable jitter measurements, sometimes with only the push of a single button.

Current oscilloscope-based jitter measurement tools provide only one eye diagram on one channel.

These same tools have a similar limitation of only six to eight measurement slots for general purpose measurements.

DPOJET fully supports all source channels including making measurements and eye diagrams of each channel simultaneously.

With DPOJET, engineers can view all of their PCI Express, DisplayPort or HDMI signals in a coherent, time correlated view.

Current jitter measurement tools constrain users to specific roles: analysis or compliance.

Analysis tools offer little test support and compliance tools offer little analysis support.

DPOJET provides full analysis capability and includes pass/fail limits testing capability.

Compliance testing now becomes a simple selection of predefined setup files.

DPOJET with the latest state of the art oscilloscopes from Tektronix provides the only solution capable to capture one million unit intervals (UI) with a single acquisition and to perform simultaneous reference clock and data-signal 'dual port' measurements without the use of external probes.

Sensor detects diffuse materials

2007-11-12T06:14:00.000-08:00

Optek Technology's OPB609 sensor is housed in a black opaque package, features a high-speed phototransistor output and is unfocused, allowing it to properly sense diffuse surfaces

Optek Technology has developed a cost-effective reflective object sensor with three different lead options. The OPB609 sensor consists of an infra-red LED and NPN silicon phototransistor mounted side-by-side on parallel axes. According to Alan Bennett, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Optek Technology, the OPB609 series object sensors were developed for the detection of diffuse materials.
'The device is housed in a black opaque package, features a high-speed phototransistor output and is unfocused, allowing it to properly sense diffuse surfaces', said Bennett.

'By using a plastic housing, we are able to provide our customers with a cost-effective device ideally suited for the detection of paper, labels or any material with a matte finish'.

Typical applications for the sensor include assembly line and machine automation, machine safety, end-of-travel sensing and door sensing, as well as edge, paper jam and mark detection.

The OPB609 series reflective sensor is available with axial, gull wing or right-angle lead configurations.

The epoxy package is spectrally matched to IR emitter lambda = 940nm, cutting wavelength under lambda = 840nm.

The phototransistor features a collector-emitter voltage of 30V and emitter-collector voltage of 5V.

Collector DC current is 50mA, with a power dissipation rating of 75mW.

The 940nm infra-red LED has a maximum forward voltage of 1.7V and a reverse DC voltage of 5V.

Forward DC current is 50mA, with a maximum reverse current of 10uA and peak forward current of 1A.

Microwave generator achieves high frequencies

2007-10-24T06:13:00.000-07:00

Ethernet analyser cuts testing costs

2007-10-24T06:12:00.001-07:00

MetroScope includes a low-cost, Gigabit LinkReflector remote tester that lets carriers perform complete SLA testing with full control from one end of the link

Fluke Networks has released the MetroScope carrier Ethernet analyser. This new portable analysis and troubleshooting tool offers savings of up to 40% for service providers deploying carrier Ethernet services. MetroScope's cost savings are provided through a low-cost, Gigabit Link Reflector that allows end-to-end RFC 2544, jitter and bit-error-rate (BERT) testing without a second MetroScope at the far end of the link.
MetroScope includes a low-cost, Gigabit LinkReflector remote tester that lets carriers perform complete SLA testing with full control from one end of the link.

This offers carriers several testing alternatives.

Carriers can deploy multiple far-end devices on complex networks for a fraction of the cost of existing solutions.
They can leave reflectors at customer sites or points-of-presence (POPs), ready for testing when needed.

Alternatively, carriers can use the MetroScope as a centralised tester, deploying technicians with Link Reflectors.

In addition to working with the MetroScope to qualify links, the Link Reflector offers troubleshooting functionality for Ethernet links.

All of these testing alternatives offer improved test results while reducing costs.

'Fluke Networks helps carriers achieve two critical business needs: migrating from legacy to next generation services; and implementing process improvement solutions that improve productivity and lower operating costs ', said Ed Sztuka, Vice President for Fluke Networks' Communication Service Provider business.

'MetroScope helps with both'.

MetroScope lets carriers define custom tests to demonstrate compliance with service level agreements (SLAs) associated with new, differentiated service offerings.

MetroScope also conforms with testing standards, including RFC 2544.

By offering carriers a low-cost means of proving SLA and standards compliance, MetroScope addresses two of the biggest hurdles carriers face with carrier Ethernet deployment.

Experience in network testing applied to carrier Ethernet MetroScope takes advantage of more than a decade of Fluke Networks IP expertise to provide a battery of in-depth IP tests including traffic monitoring, VLAN discovery and monitoring, SNMP monitoring and TraceSwitch Route.

High-accuracy jitter measurements let carriers certify Ethernet links for VoIP and IPTV delivery.

MetroScope can easily be carried in one hand, but it is also designed with web-based remote control.

Used remotely, a technician at the customer site can consult with remote experts within the organisation and resolve complex problems.

Ethernet analyser cuts testing costs

2007-10-24T06:12:00.000-07:00

Ethernet test system eases setup

2007-10-12T04:36:00.000-07:00

The AXS-200/850 Ethernet test module boasts simple pass/fail displays and one-touch function buttons to address the real-life challenges experienced by field technicians

Exfo Electro-Optical Engineering has released the AXS-200/850 Ethernet module - a handheld Ethernet and IP test solution that dramatically simplifies processes when turning up commercial and residential Ethernet and IP services. The AXS-200/850 Ethernet test module boasts simple pass/fail displays and one-touch function buttons to address the real-life challenges experienced by field technicians when turning up or maintaining Ethernet and IP services.

The module is housed inside the multi-service and multi-medium AXS-200 SharpTester platform, a modular handheld unit for the access network market that can easily be configured for copper/DSL/triple-play, Ethernet or optical testing applications using a common Windows-CE graphical user interface.

Intuitive, streamlined navigation reduces the learning curve for novice and expert technicians alike, ensuring bit-error rate (BERT), RFC 2544, IP connectivity/ping and quality of service (QoS) tests can be completed efficiently and reliably.

One-click intelligent loopback testing enables single-technician testing of local and remote access points, and flexible on/off-screen reporting allows technicians to save results to a flash key or display results on-screen for immediate review.

'The flexibility and scalability of Ethernet continue to ensure its proliferation throughout carrier networks', said Etienne Gagnon, Exfo's Vice-President of Product Management and Marketing.

'Carriers are relying on Ethernet technology to support the rapid deployment of triple-play services and, as such, are demanding test solutions that facilitate the turn-up process'.

'Thanks to its powerful, yet easy to use test capabilities, the AXS-200/850 responds to these exacting demands, ensuring field technicians can effectively turn up metro Ethernet networks and associated Carrier Ethernet services'.

Cost-effective analyser covers broad spectrum

2007-10-12T04:35:00.000-07:00

Affordable 3GHz spectrum analyser is suitable for manufacturing, installation and field service, EMI testing and education sectors

Available now from Aspen Electronics, the GW Instek GSP 830 is a 3GHz spectrum analyser that combines high performance, portability and ease of use at an affordable price. The analyser is suited to a range of measurement applications in manufacturing, installation and field service, EMI testing and education sectors.
R and D labs will also find it a cost effective tool, as it has suitable phase noise performance.

The spectrum analyser features an outstanding low noise floor level of just -152dBm/Hz, without pre-amplifier, and -162dBm/Hz with the GAP801 preamplifier.

This extra sensitivity is ideal for picking up very weak signals.

Power measurement functions include ACPR, OCBW and channel power, phase jitter and N-dB bandwidth measurements.

Two adjacent channels can be viewed simultaneously, and the display splits to show the waveform and the measurement results by parameter.

Ease of use is guaranteed, with the autoset feature that automatically captures RF signals and presents them in the optimal display mode.

For complex signals, amplitude and frequency can be easily manually adjusted.

An auto-sequence function is provided to allow engineers to set up and save more complex test programs for often used measurements.

The user can either step through them at will or run the whole sequence automatically, displaying a go/no-go result.

The unit features a large memory for storing waveforms, a 6.4in TFT display, USB ports on the front and rear panels (host and slave), RS232 and VGA outputs as standard and an optional GPIB interface.

EagleShot PC software for transferring waveforms to a PC is included in the package.

The instrument can be run on AC or DC power, from a car cigarette lighter socket or for 3h on its Li-ion battery pack.

The GSP 830 weighs just 6kg.

Prices start at GBP 3100 for the standard version.

The instruments are already in volume production and are available from Aspen Electronics on 3 weeks delivery.

Recorder take new approach to air interface tests

2007-10-11T05:18:00.000-07:00

Mobile comms tester records the WCDMA/GSM air interface for later reproduction in order to replicate a real-time environment

The new AR-7200 air recorder from Yokogawa is a mobile communications test instrument that records the WCDMA/GSM air interface for later reproduction in order to replicate a real-time environment. The AR-7200 is designed to replicate the entire air interface environment, providing the ability to repeat a particular tested scenario with no need for physical connection required to Node B, the network or the UE .
'This new approach to air interface testing will save valuable time during debugging, problem analysis and system optimisation', says Terry Marrinan, Sales and Marketing Director, Europe and Africa, of Yokogawa Europe's Test and Measurement Group.

'Operators can now replicate the entire communication air test environment and repeat specific test scenarios - processes that were previously complex and time-consuming'.

The instrument records the radio signals between Node B points in the network and UEs, stores them in its internal hard disk drives and plays them back as I/Q (in-phase/quadrature) data.

It is the ideal companion for Yokogawa's AP-6000 air protocol analyser in situations where multiple UEs have to be analysed at the same time.

By using both the AR-7200 and AP-6000, a user can play back the air interface several times and select a different UE each time to analyse that particular call.

It can also be used with other devices that supporting analogue I/Q inputs.

The instrument carries out RF down conversion and I/Q demodulation, and stores downloaded and uploaded I/Q baseband signals on its hard disk drive for subsequent playback and analysis.

It operates on frequency bands I, II, III, V, VI and IX in 3GPP UMTS/WCDMA systems.

The AR-7200 incorporates two RF units which feed into 12bit analogue-digital convertors, and two outputs that are generated via 14bit digital-analogue convertors.

The instrument can carry out up to one hour of recording at two frequencies, and offers two buffer modes: single or ring.

Professional test tools cover expanded range

2007-10-11T05:10:00.000-07:00

New products include 15 multimeters and seven clamp meters designed to meet a wide variety of test needs

Amprobe Test Tools has added 22 new products to its line of professional test tools. The new products include 15 multimeters and seven clamp meters designed to meet a wide variety of test needs. The new multimeters include: three ultracompact precision pocket meters; two specialty meters, including a compact pen probe and a credit card style meter; five full-featured, full-size meters with oversized displays; three compact full-feature meters with Voltect and noncontact voltage (NCV) detection; and two compact economy meters with features usually found on more expensive digital multimeters.

The new clamp meters include two compact clamp meters that can measure up to 400A; two full-featured clamp meters; two AC/DC current clamp meters, including a true RMS meter; and one high-current clamp meter.

How to Balance Your Portfolio

2007-10-10T03:18:00.000-07:00

Take a look at your investment portfolio if you have any. What does it consist of? What are the elements, mainly stock, options, bonds, commodities or mutual funds? And, how can you tell whether it is balanced?

An investment portfolio should be spread, like the saying preaches; don’t put all your eggs in one basket. But for different people this means different things. First you must be aware of your risk profile. If you like to take more risks, the investments in your portfolio could be less diverse. You might concentrate more on one particular instrument (option, stock). Still, you may take more risks than necessary. A mutual fund investor could spread its portfolio with only a few investment funds. The active trader could spread its investments over a short (trading) period.

The first thing we learn from this is that a so-called balanced portfolio is relative to the profile of the investor. Less untrue is the fact that in the investment game, there appear to be rules that are universal. If you have only some experience you know that you should ‘never’ build-up in one day your complete portfolio, but rather buy parts over time.

Then you have your portfolio. Now how do you know if it is balanced? There are more ways of checking this. One way is very simple and helpful. Again you need to check your preferences. We all know our preferences, but they are not that explicitly communicated. If you are a single, stand-alone investor you do not need to share your preferences with others. It is about your portfolio and you are free to make your moves. This changes when you are managing a team (of investors).

Then the question. What is more difficult to manage? Something you favour or something you are not eagerly doing?

With this answer you can check -- the balance of -- your portfolio. If you are only following the easy part and leaving the difficult decisions for what they are, you know you’ve got a problem.

360 Degree Feedback Surveys

2007-10-10T03:13:00.000-07:00

"[Horses] have always understood a great deal more than they let on. It is difficult to be sat on every day by some creature without forming an opinion of them. On the other hand, it is perfectly possible to sit all day, every day, on top of another creature, and not have the slightest thought about them whatsoever."

Ward, Peter. 360-Degree Feedback. London: Institute of Personnel and Development, 1997.

The assumption that the opinions of only ONE person can provide a full and accurate picture of another's performance seems rather absurd, doesn't it? And yet, we've been doing this for eons without questioning it very much. Wouldn't it be nice to have a complete 360 degree feedback?

Most people avoid confrontation and find it difficult to tell unpleasant truths to others--especially those they like. As a result we seldom have an accurate picture of ourselves, as others see us. In fact, the most subtly undermining or self-destructive things we do, are often the very things which others, even supervisors, are least likely to tell us about - even though if we knew these truths, we might be able to change at least some of them with 360 degree feedback.

This is the problem that 360-degree feedback evaluation - also often called multi-source assessment, multi-rater feedback, full-circle appraisal or peer evaluation - is supposed to cure. As Richard Lepsinger (co-author of The Art and Science of 360 Degree Feedback) puts it, "360 degree feedback is a reality check, a way to overcome the false or misleading information which we usually get about ourselves, by replacing it with the truth, at least as others perceive it: candid 360 degree feedback from people within our work environment, who are in a position to judge various aspects of our performance, providing information which can help us to avoid mistakes and improve our ability to do our jobs in the way we would like."

Today organizations have marked interest in considering employees' and customers' opinions on such issues as organizational communication, morale, values, decision-making processes, quality and service. (Any or all of these may be the focus of 360 degree feedback review processes.) Instead of the old "every man for himself," worker-competition model once common in most organizations, collaboration and teamwork are now encouraged. And how can you determine whether a person is able to be an effective colleague or team member?: You ask the people with whom he or she interacts. The emphasis with 360 degree feedback is always on behavior, not general traits, work-styles, or personal characteristics.

360 degree feedback performance appraisal helps supervisors, who often hate more than any other part of their job, the responsibility of doing annual performance appraisals. I'm sure we've all encountered talented people who've actually refused promotions into management at least partly because they don't want to be in the position of having to make career-influencing judgments of others - a sometimes unpleasant task - on a regular basis. At the very least, if you ask supervisors what they dislike most about their jobs, the frequent answer is dealing with personnel issues, particularly doing performance evaluations. Although nearly all of us pay lip-service to the idea of providing regular performance feedback to subordinates, the truth is that unless compliments are in order, most of us avoid it as long as possible!

Besides the fact that it is difficult to tell unpleasant truths to or about others-in fact, we're trained from childhood not to do so (who wants to be a tattle-tale, right?), in today's work climate we even have to be concerned to some degree with possible retaliation for being honest! Who hasn't heard enough already about disgruntled employees filing grievances or even suing their employers because of negative evaluations which kept them from getting promoted, or worse yet, the ones who've returned to the office the next day with a gun? Combined, these factors lead to an unwillingness of supervisors to directly confront poor performance.

And last but not least, single source performance appraisals are often biased, even if unintentional in comparison to 360 degree feedback. The evidence points to the fact that some supervisors are very rigorous in evaluations, while others apparently hail from Lake Wobegon, where everyone is above average!

In the end, 360 degree feedback is an excellent organizational tool to identify critical needs and performance gaps and provide a solid foundation for individual development when used as a supplement to supervisors' appraisals, not a replacement for them.

What follows are summaries of a few of the organizational purposes, benefits, and factors linked to success and failure of 360 degree feedback programs.

The purposes for using 360 degree feedback instruments are as varied as the organizations that use them, such as for:

1. Individual performance development
2. Organizational competency gaps
3. Organizational training needs analysis
4. Career planning
5. Quality-service evaluation
6. Culture change
7. Team development

The benefits of 360 degree feedback are numerous, such as to:

1. Demonstrate respect for employee opinions
2. Increase employee involvement
3. Communicate values through the competencies chosen
4. Identify organizational, departmental, and individual skill gaps
5. Improve customer service
6. Build more effective work relationships
7. Form a basis for individual development planning
8. Enhance open communication
9. Reveal and resolve conflicts

360 Degree feedback Factors Linked to Success

Organizations who experience success with the 360-degree feedback methods have many environmental attributes present. Some of these are:

1. Feedback tool is based on organizational goals and values
2. Organizational climate fosters individual growth
3. Criticisms are seen as opportunities for improvement
4. Higher compliance and consistency in providing feedback
5. Assurance that feedback will be kept confidential
6. Feedback tool includes area for comments
7. Opportunity for individuals to respond to feedback
8. Opportunity to support feedback with individualized training or coaching

360 Degree Feedback Factors Linked to Failure

Many organizations have rushed into 360-degree feedback without laying the foundation for success. Typical errors include:

1. Feedback not linked to organizational goals or values
2. Feedback tied to merit pay or promotions
3. Comments traced back to individuals causing resentment between workers
4. Survey tool used as substitute, not complement to performance appraisal
5. Use of the feedback tool as a stand alone without review and follow-up by manager.
6. Poor implementation of 360-degree tool negatively affects motivation
7. Excessive number of surveys are required of each worker
8. Excessive number of questions

360 Degree Feedback - A Big No-No for Pay and Promotion

While very informative and motivational for development, the 360 degree feedback method has not proved successful for decisions tied directly to pay, promotions, selection or layoffs. Some of the reasons for failure with 360 degree feedback are as follows:

1. The 360 evaluations are based on observations in the natural work environment. Some drawbacks of this are:
a. Some environments 'dampen' or constrain job performance
b. Performance is based on the current job role only
c. Observations are based somewhat on chance opportunities for observation

2. The observers in the 360 method have no special training, may use differing standards and, therefore, can have low inter-rater reliability (agreement), making the process overwhelming for managers and large departments

360 degree feedback has been successfully administered in thousands of different companies and businesses all over the world. Their sizes range from small family-owned companies to multi-million dollar corporations. With correct implementation, 360 degree feedback will yield invaluable results for your business, to help recruit and maintain top performing employees. The benefits of 360 degree feedback are invaluable, for more information on 360 degree feedback or to get started with 360 degree feedback at your business, please visit www.super-solutions.com or call us at Success Performance Solutions at (800)803-4303. We look forward to your upcoming success with 360 degree feedback.

Australian line testers come to Europe

2007-10-04T03:08:00.000-07:00

The latest telephone cable test equipment is now available in the UK and Europe from Mans International, following a strategic relationship agreement with Teletech, Australia

Teletech line testers will appeal to businesses, IT engineers and building services managers who want greater control over their own local telephone network and can access their line exchange. Renowned for their accuracy, dependability and ease of use, this established range is already used by major telecommunications companies, system installers and contractors throughout the world.

'Anyone who wants to test their telephone lines for suitability of broadband and other services will benefit, especially with internet and industrial telemetry applications continuing to expand.

We are delighted to be associated with Mans International in the UK, who has identified new areas for growth in Europe', says Teletech Managing Director, Malcolm Basell, during the opening of new office space at Mans International.

Within the range is the TX120A, a multifunctional line prequalifier used by major telecommunications companies to test the suitability of twisted copper pairs for ISDN, HDLS, ADSL and other services.

Line faults are easy to pinpoint with just a single operator using the acclaimed TX915 'loop-a-line' tone sender and signalling probe kit.

With this system, job turnaround times are reduced significantly, so customer services are returned to normal as soon as possible.

Demonstrations (in the UK) can be arranged through Mans International, and special discounts are available for bulk orders.

TEM warms quickly to its task

2007-10-04T03:07:00.000-07:00

The new PC-controlled H-9500 TEM from Hitachi High-Technologies is designed for rapid operation

With specimen changes in around 1min and a stable electron beam at 300kV within just 3min, the instrument is ready for use in less than 5min. The new H-9500 is a high performance TEM which uses a single crystal LaB6 electron source and offers 0.102nm crystal lattice resolution and 0.18nm point to point.

Using the Windows 2000 operating system, the H-9500 has a simple icon-driven user interface.

In addition to providing a host of automatic functions, the system allows up to 20 sets of operating conditions (lens settings, accelerating voltage etc) to be saved for easy recall.

Comprehensive measurement facilities including point to point measurement and caliper measurement functions are also included.

The microscope is equipped with a high resolution (1K x 1K pixel) CCD camera with fast or slow scan functions for direct recording of high quality digital images.

Naturally images can also be recorded on film in the conventional way.

The instrument features its own image database which allows images to be reviewed through a thumbnail display.

A photo log file stores a host of information including the operating conditions and even the stage co-ordinates for the image.

Using this stored data it is possible to view the same specimen positions simply by recalling the specimen stage co-ordinates.

In order to allow the operator to immediately see which areas of the specimen have been examined and which have not, a specimen position trace function has been provided.

This enables movement of the specimen stage to be tracked and shown on the graphical display.

Co-ordinates may be stored at any position along the movement path.

The H-9500 offers great flexibility for multi-technique investigations.

Specimen holders are available which are completely interchangeable with the FB-2100 focused ion beam instrument and the new HD-2300 STEM.

Rack-mount receiver puts GPS to the test

2007-10-04T03:02:00.000-07:00

The ptf 3201A is a low-cost GPS receiver for applications ranging from test and measurement to wireless communications, broadcasting and almost anywhere GPS technology is required

The ptf 3201A fits in a standard 19in rack and uses at its heart a fourth-generation GPS clock combined with an eight-channel GPS receiver, control circuitry and a high-quality oven-stabilised oscillator. Additional oscillator options are also available. Originally developed as an OEM product for a major wireless infrastructure provider, PTF President, David Briggs, points out: 'The ptf 3201A is just one example of the commitment PTF has to our customers to make a difference'.

This particular company came to PTF seeking a custom solution to meet performance and cost objectives, and our engineering team was able to accommodate'.

Briggs added, 'PTF has established a business model to enable cost effective flexibility.

This, together with the company-wide desire to deliver and outperform, enables us to help customers successfully meet their own requirements and performance objectives'.

Analyser resolves interoperability questions

2007-09-20T04:41:00.000-07:00

Alcatel Belgium is using the DSL Xpert multilayer analyser to resolve ADSL/ADSL2 interoperability issues

Leveraging patent-pending technology, DSL Xpert breaks new ground as the industry's first nonintrusive performance-analysis solution for ADSL and ADSL2 products. By deploying DSL Xpert, Alcatel Belgium is tackling ADSL interoperability and standard-compliance problems between digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs) residing at the central office (CO) and customer premise equipment (CPE).

The company may also use DSL Xpert for assessment of third-party chipset vendors and for product evaluation within its internal development process.

'We are extremely pleased in assisting Alcatel, the world's leading DSLAM manufacturer, to provide more efficient customer support and resolve ADSL interoperability issues', said Dr Hanan Herzberg, TraceSpan founder and CEO.

'We are proud to play a role in helping Alcatel help its customers, and to assist the company in maintaining its market leadership in the DSLAM space.

We hope this is the beginning of a fruitful, long-term relationship with Alcatel Belgium and other divisions within the worldwide Alcatel organisation'.

DSL Xpert is a powerful analysis solution for service providers (telcos and CLECS), current and next-generation ADSL equipment (eg DSLAM, DLC, modem, router/gateway) manufacturers, and technology/chipset developers.

DSL Xpert accelerates time to market and return on investment by cutting significant time from the development, deployment, debugging, support and interoperability verification of ADSL equipment.

Signal sources set new standards

2007-09-20T04:40:00.000-07:00

The DTG5000 Series of signal source equipment is receiving rapid adoption in the semiconductor, computing and video industries

Designed in response to ever-higher clock rates and tighter timing margins, the DTG5000 Series combines the power of a data generator with the capabilities of a pulse generator in a versatile, benchtop form factor. The new series of signal source equipment shortens the duration of complex test procedures and simplifies the generation of low-jitter, high-accuracy clock signals or serial data across multiple channels.

The DTG5000 Series is used in a variety of applications, including: semiconductor device functional test and characterisation; compliance and interoperability testing; emerging standards such as PCI-Express, Infiband, RapidIO, DVI, and High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI); magnetic and optical storage design; jitter transfer and jitter tolerance testing.

The DTG5000 Series is already becoming broadly accepted within industry circles, as evidenced by its recommendation in the HDMI version 1.0 Compliance Test Specification.

'Digital designers are facing higher clock rates and tighter timing margins than ever before', said Craig Overhage, Vice President, Instruments Business, Tektronix.

'Engineers need tools to ensure that their products will be compatible and will operate at peak performance under less-than-ideal conditions.

The DTG5000 Series of high performance data generators solves that problem by providing a full complement of highly accurate data signals and the ability to precisely control their parameters for automated testing of products over a wide range of operating conditions'.

The DTG5000 Series consists of two mainframes - the DTG5078 and DTG5274 - and three plug-in output modules that combine to cover a range of applications from legacy devices to the latest technologies.

In addition, eight low-current, independently controlled DC outputs can substitute for external power supplies.

Loads of power to test DC sources

2007-09-20T04:32:00.000-07:00

The LD300 is a DC electronic load with maximum input levels of 80A and 80V, making it ideal for use in investigating the behaviour of many different types of DC power sources

The LD300 is a DC electronic load with maximum input levels of 80A and 80V, making it ideal for use in investigating the behaviour of many different types of DC power sources such as batteries, solar cells, fuel cells or wind generators, as well as electronic power-supply units. The new unit has a maximum power dissipation of 300W, and is designed to have very low internal resistance to allow operation at high currents with low voltage drop.

Operation down to 500mV is possible at currents up to 10A, rising to 1V at 40A and less than 2V at 80A.

The LD300 provides five different operating modes: constant current, constant voltage, constant power, constant resistance and constant conductance.

The value of the chosen constant parameter is set by 10-turn controls on the front panel.

Alternatively, an external control voltage can also be used to set the level of the load.

Any desired waveform can be applied, allowing complex load conditions to be simulated.

An internal transient generator can repeatedly switch the load between two different operating levels set on separate 10-turn controls.

The frequency and duty cycle of the transients can be set over a wide range.

The transients can also be initiated by an external logic signal.

The transitions between the levels have a true linear slewing characteristic in all modes, with the slew rate adjustable over a wide range.

A low-voltage dropout facility is provided to protect sources such as batteries from damaging levels of discharge by reducing the load current when the source voltage falls below the dropout threshold.

Load conditions are displayed using high-accuracy four-digit meters.

The voltage of the source can be sensed either internally for convenience or externally for better accuracy.

A current monitor output provides a voltage proportional to the current flowing, allowing the behaviour of a source to be viewed on an oscilloscope or external meter.

The LD300 is fully protected against excessive current, power dissipation or internal temperature, and minimises audible noise by automatically controlling the fan speed according to the power dissipation.

The unit is housed in a compact case measuring 130 x 212 x 435mm (half rack width, 3U height) with a weight of 6kg.

The LD300 costs GBP 695 (plus VAT) in the UK.

Jones demonstrates benefits of electron microscopy

2007-09-18T04:13:00.000-07:00

Hitachi High-Technologies has appointed Chris Jones as Applications Specialist and Demonstrator for its Electron Microscopy Division in the UK

Based at Hitachi's Demonstration Unit in Wokingham, Jones takes over responsibility for all electron microscope demonstrations, applications work and training from Dr Mike Capers who retired from full time work at the end of 2003. Jones has joined Hitachi from the Natural History Museum, London, where he was manager of the Electron Microscopy Unit and Mineral Preparation Unit, providing an EM and laser confocal microscopy service across the entire museum.

He brings with him a wealth of experience with over 16 years of practical electron microscope usage on conventional SEMs and TEMs as well as field emission and variable pressure SEMs.

Jones has also had responsibility for training new users of the electron microscopes.

Mike Capers has taken the first steps towards a well-earned retirement, but he will not be leaving Hitachi completely.

He will be carrying out TEM demonstrations at Hitachi's European demonstration unit in Krefeld, Germany on a part-time basis.

Capers is highly respected in the electron microscopy industry and has been part of the Hitachi team since the Nissei Sangyo office was set up in the UK in 1980.

Before that he demonstrated Hitachi EMS when they were sold through Perkin Elmer in the UK.

Optical scale aids submicron precision

2007-09-18T04:11:00.000-07:00

For many industrial applications in research and quality control, the measurement of components with submicron precision can best be accomplished through a microscope with optical linear scales

Olympus STM6 microscopes are specifically designed for microscopic measurement. The new range includes six different systems of motorised three-axis microscopes providing measurement readout down to 0.1um. For x-y measurement, features include an optical edge sensor with linear and rotatable stages from 50 x 50 to 250 x 150mm in size to accommodate different samples.

For the first time, the introduction of motorised focusing to this type of microscope allows rapid and precise z-axis measurement.

Autofocusing allows a surface of variable height to be followed.

There is no need for parallel alignment of the sample so that measurement can commence immediately.

Strong showing from Tektronix in Q3

2007-09-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

Tektronix has reported net sales of $243.5 million and net earnings from continuing operations of $43.9 million or $0.50 per share, for the third quarter ended 28th February 2004

This compares with net sales of $186.6 million and net earnings from continuing operations of $1.0 million or $0.01 per share, for the same period a year ago. Excluding business realignment and one-time items, net earnings from continuing operations were $29.1 million or $0.33 per share for the third quarter, as compared with $11.7 million or $0.13 per share for the same period last year.

We saw orders growth of 20% for the quarter driven by continued strength in the overall market and positive response to new products.

Signal sources, oscilloscopes and logic analysers were especially strong', said Rick Wills, Tektronix Chairman and CEO.

'More importantly, it is our second quarter in a row in which we saw growth across all regions and most product lines, consistent with our belief that we are in the midst of the phased recovery'.

There were several things of note in the quarter from an operational standpoint as well.

We successfully implemented a state-of-the-art supply chain enterprise resource planning system with no impact to shipments - the team did a great job', continued Wills.

'We also completed the sale of our Japanese headquarters building in connection with the planned move of our Tokyo headquarter operations to a newer leased facility'.

'In addition, Rohde and Schwarz, whose products we currently distribute in the USA and Canada, will begin selling their products directly in those markets and we will not distribute their products after 1st June 2004.

This relationship has been mutually beneficial, one that enabled Rohde and Schwarz to develop a presence in the United States and helped Tektronix develop customer relationships and a direct sales force in support of our strategy to expand our RF product offerings.

While this will impact revenues next year, we do not expect it to have a negative impact on earnings'.

'This was a great quarter for Tektronix in many respects.

We continue to see elements of a phased recovery and continue to grow our four core product categories.

The acceptance of new products in the quarter demonstrates this.

We are gaining traction in our two new product categories - these represent good, long-term opportunities for growth.

And, as we saw this quarter, we have demonstrated our ability to grow earnings faster than revenues', concluded Wills.

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, the company expects sales to be approximately $230-240 million.

Earnings per share from continuing operations are expected to be between $0.24 and $0.28.

Frequency convertors ease power measurements

2007-09-17T04:46:00.000-07:00

Compact variable frequency AC power supplies are crammed full of features including AC, DC and AC+DC output, memory function, current limit and selectable start phase

Available in the UK from distributor Telonic Instruments, Kikusui's PCR1000M and PCR2000M are compact 1000 and 2000VA variable frequency (40-500Hz) AC power supplies weighing only 11 and 15kg, respectively. The new frequency convertors are crammed full of features including AC, DC and AC+DC output, memory function, current limit and selectable start phase.
Users can measure the voltage, current and power of the AC and DC output.

Other measurement features include: apparent power, reactive power, power factor, crest factor and current peak hold.

Each frequency convertor is equipped with an RS232C interface and comes complete with control/logging software as standard.

Available options include GPIB, USB and an analogue input card which allows the frequency convertors to be used as power amplifiers.

Audio analysers are improved

2007-09-17T04:20:00.000-07:00

From September 2007, all Audio Precision AP2700 and ATS-2 instruments will be shipped with both the original proprietary APIB interface and a USB interface

Several enhancements have been added to the Audio Precision class-leading range of audio analysers, available exclusively in the UK from TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments). From September 2007, all Audio Precision AP2700 and ATS-2 instruments will be shipped with both the original proprietary APIB interface and a USB interface.

This change reflects the increasing demand for a universal interface.

Existing AP customers can purchase a new dual interface port to upgrade their existing product with the new AP2700 v3.30 and ATS v1.60 control software.

The new software also now ensures full compatibility with Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2.

Windows 2000 users will still be able to continue to use the APIB interface, but will not have access to the new USB connectivity.

Handset tester gains WCDMA option

2007-09-13T04:11:00.000-07:00

Following successful product demonstrations with leading mobile phone manufacturers, Willtek has released its WCDMA system option for the Willtek 4400 Series mobile phone tester

The futureproof test solution enables service factories to test new WCDMA phones and comprises all the transmitter measurements typically conducted in high-end service, including an ultrafast staircase power measurement required for certain WCDMA phones. The measurements are performed in non-call mode; a second version with call setup procedures will be available in July 2004.

Our tests with leading manufacturers showed that the 4400 with the WCDMA test option fulfils the requirements of major phone service factories', says Cyrille Damany, CEO at Willtek Communications.

'Now that 3G services are available and terminals hit the market in larger quantities, this test solution is what our customers need'.

The WCDMA non-call mode option of the 4400 will be demonstrated live at the 3GSM World Congress from 24th to 27th February.

The congress in Cannes, France, is the leading event for network operators and manufacturers celebrating new products and exchanging new ideas.

The second event to view WCDMA on the 4400 will be the CTIA Show in Atlanta, USA, from 22nd to 24th March.

Measurements supported now include average and peak power, modulation quality, modulation spectrum, occupied bandwidth, adjacent channel leakage ratio, and spectrum emission.

With the WCDMA system option, the 4400 can generate constant wave and WCDMA-modulated signals as well as the FM signals required to tune specific WCDMA phones.

The WCDMA system option includes a hardware upgrade that is completely flexible, allowing Willtek to implement changes to the WCDMA specifications in software, even down to the lower layers.

Moreover, the hardware is prepared for future enhancements such as HSDPA (high speed downlink package access).

WCDMA complements other system options for the 4400 series as GSM, GSM/GPRS and CDMA 1xRTT are already available.

More options for power analyser

2007-09-13T04:09:00.000-07:00

LEM has enhanced its Norma 4000 power analyser with a colour display and a memory option

No other analyser offers such high performance and accuracy in such a compact box, making it especially suitable for on-site measurement. The Norma 4000 measures current and voltage with high accuracy and calculates active, reactive and apparent power and other derived values. Its accuracy is independent of waveform, frequency and phase shift across a wide range.

Harmonics are calculated at up to half the sampling rate.

Voltages up to 1000V and currents up to 10A can be measured directly due to integrated voltage dividers and shunts.

It is also possible to connect external voltage dividers, as well as shunts or probes.

Measuring only 237 x 150 x 315mm, the Norma 4000 can easily be carried to the measurement site.

This allows parameters of electrical systems, such as heating, harmonics, disturbances and current consumption, to be measured on working systems in the field, and not just in the laboratory.

The new colour display makes it easier to look at every single phase in the representations of the current harmonics, voltage and power with FFT methods and chart representations.

All measured values and charts can also be saved in the device and can be transferred to a PC via an RS232 interface.

With the new memory option, the device has a memory space of 128Mbyte.

Safety tester reaches new levels of automation

2007-09-13T04:07:00.000-07:00

Clare Instruments' new Elite 2 brings enhanced levels of automation and control to electrical safety testing for manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment

With eight external analogue control ports and eight digital ports, the dual-voltage Elite 2 can act as a PLC controller with automatic control of programmable test sequences for maximum efficiency, high-speed testing on large volume production lines. The high performance tester includes the ability to power the device under test using a programmable power source up to 280V at 10A.

It incorporates hi-pot, insulation, earth bond, leakage and load tests as part of a full suite of 11 separate safety checks - all user configurable to the exact specifications of the product under test.

Single-button operation enables test engineers to create programmed test sequences for specific products quickly and easily - with test specifications applied precisely and test measurements made accurately.

Powerful integral PC software also enables test data to be stored and/or transferred to standard MS Office programs for fully traceable records of test results.

The unit's data storage capability can also be used to implement statistical analysis (SPC) on test results as part of quality control programmes.

More options for power analyser

2007-09-10T02:59:00.000-07:00

Handset tester gains WCDMA option

2007-09-10T02:56:00.000-07:00

Following successful product demonstrations with leading mobile phone manufacturers, Willtek has released its WCDMA system option for the Willtek 4400 Series mobile phone tester

The futureproof test solution enables service factories to test new WCDMA phones and comprises all the transmitter measurements typically conducted in high-end service, including an ultrafast staircase power measurement required for certain WCDMA phones. The measurements are performed in non-call mode; a second version with call setup procedures will be available in July 2004.

'Our tests with leading manufacturers showed that the 4400 with the WCDMA test option fulfils the requirements of major phone service factories', says Cyrille Damany, CEO at Willtek Communications.

'Now that 3G services are available and terminals hit the market in larger quantities, this test solution is what our customers need'.

The WCDMA non-call mode option of the 4400 will be demonstrated live at the 3GSM World Congress from 24th to 27th February.

The congress in Cannes, France, is the leading event for network operators and manufacturers celebrating new products and exchanging new ideas.

The second event to view WCDMA on the 4400 will be the CTIA Show in Atlanta, USA, from 22nd to 24th March.

Measurements supported now include average and peak power, modulation quality, modulation spectrum, occupied bandwidth, adjacent channel leakage ratio, and spectrum emission.

With the WCDMA system option, the 4400 can generate constant wave and WCDMA-modulated signals as well as the FM signals required to tune specific WCDMA phones.

The WCDMA system option includes a hardware upgrade that is completely flexible, allowing Willtek to implement changes to the WCDMA specifications in software, even down to the lower layers.

Moreover, the hardware is prepared for future enhancements such as HSDPA (high speed downlink package access).

WCDMA complements other system options for the 4400 series as GSM, GSM/GPRS and CDMA 1xRTT are already available.

All these system options can be installed on the 4400.

Instruments in the field can also be upgraded with WCDMA.

Safety tester reaches new levels of automation

2007-09-10T02:30:00.000-07:00

are Instruments' new Elite 2 brings enhanced levels of automation and control to electrical safety testing for manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment

With eight external analogue control ports and eight digital ports, the dual-voltage Elite 2 can act as a PLC controller with automatic control of programmable test sequences for maximum efficiency, high-speed testing on large volume production lines. The high performance tester includes the ability to power the device under test using a programmable power source up to 280V at 10A.

It incorporates hi-pot, insulation, earth bond, leakage and load tests as part of a full suite of 11 separate safety checks - all user configurable to the exact specifications of the product under test.

Single-button operation enables test engineers to create programmed test sequences for specific products quickly and easily - with test specifications applied precisely and test measurements made accurately.

Powerful integral PC software also enables test data to be stored and/or transferred to standard MS Office programs for fully traceable records of test results.

The unit's data storage capability can also be used to implement statistical analysis (SPC) on test results as part of quality control programmes.

The Elite 2 meets national and international regulations for all manufacturers carrying out electrically safety and functional testing of products. Request a free brochure from Clare Instruments....

Meter measures higher-value capacitors

2007-09-07T04:06:00.000-07:00

Handheld capacitance meter has nine automatically selected ranges with full scale value from 1.0pF to 199.99mF

The Model 830B capacitance meter from B+K Precision is a compact, handheld, lightweight, battery powered test unit featuring a large 4.5-digit LCD, 11,000 counts resolution and nine automatically selected ranges with full scale value from 1.0pF to 199.99mF. Designed to meet the latest international safety standards, the Model 830B's dedicated chip and microprocessor allow the user to program high/low limits, or use preprogrammed capacitor tolerances.

Software and cabling are provided for PC based data logging and monitoring via a USB interface.

The PC based data logging capability allows the user to remotely monitor, record, and track problems and significantly improve maintenance performance.

Available for immediate delivery and priced at a low US $289, the Model 830B capacitance meter is the ideal device for measuring values, inspection, sorting capacitors and testing capacitors against standard tolerances.

The Model 830B capacitance meter's large 4.5-digit dual LCD can simultaneously display values and deviations from selected tolerances.

The unit can also sort on preset tolerances of 1, 5 and 10%.

The built-in chip and microprocessor allows the user to program unique values to sort specific circuit applications.

Mobile WiMAX testers aid chipset deployment

2007-09-07T04:04:00.000-07:00

Agilent Technologies and GCT Semiconductor are collaborating on a WiMAX manufacturing test system for GCT's WiMAX chipsets

Agilent Technologies and GCT Semiconductor are collaborating on a WiMAX manufacturing test system for GCT's WiMAX chipsets, which will accelerate manufacturing throughput and allow mass production deployment. Agilent will support GCT chipsets with its E6651A Mobile WiMAX test set and MXZ-1000 WiMAX manufacturing test system.

The initial GCT chipset supported will be for 2.3GHz wave 1 mobile WiMAX products, consisting of GCT's GDM7201S baseband chip and the GRF7201 RF chip, and will be followed by mass deployment of 2.5GHz wave 2 mobile WiMAX chipsets.

The Agilent Mobile WiMAX test set, equipped with its Wireless Test Manager and automation software package, can be used to calibrate and verify performance of GCT-based devices and to test many aspects of functionality such as network entry.

The Agilent MXZ-1000 WiMAX manufacturing test system, which now offers GCT chipset library, is optimised to directly control GCT chipsets and enables the highest possible measurement throughput.

'It is essential for Agilent to collaborate with WiMAX-enabled chipset providers in the early stages of their development process so we can create and integrate specific test solutions to accelerate their launch and manufacturing ramp up', says Amir Aghdaei, Vice President of Agilent's Measurement Systems Division.

'Our partnership with GCT has been a great example of this because we have been able to significantly shorten products' time-to-volume'.

'Agilent's strategic intent to expand its portfolio of WiMAX test products is intended to offer a continuum of price/performance solutions to address WiMAX product development lifecycle'.

'Our GDM7201 and GRF7201 WiMAX chipsets provide a very attractive combination of low power consumption, small form factor and cost effective bill of materials for WiMAX terminal developers', says Dr Kyeongho Lee, President and CEO of GCT Semiconductor.

'We're pleased to be partnering with Agilent to develop a solution that enables customers to thoroughly test device functionality and quickly ramp up their volume'.

'GCT is well positioned to play a leading role in the expanding WiMAX market by delivering key components to further accelerate the deployment of WiMAX networks'.

'We look forward to a continued relationship working with Agilent'.

Function generator runs from 0.1Hz to 10MHz

2007-09-07T04:01:00.000-07:00

Versatile signal source combines waveform generation, pulse generation and frequency sweep in one low-cost instrument

Available for immediate delivery from B+K Precision Corp, the Model 4017B is a 10MHz DDS sweep function generator that uses direct digital synthesis (DDS) to generate very precise and accurate waveforms with little distortion. At a price of only US $499, the new Model 4017B is extremely flexible, and has a vast number of applications in both analogue and digital electronics in the engineering, manufacturing, servicing, educational, and hobbyist fields.

The Model 4017B is a versatile signal source which combines several functions into one unit - waveform generation, pulse generation (through variable symmetry) and frequency sweep.

Additionally, the instrument provides the added convenience of a built-in frequency counter.

Using DDS technology to produce precise and accurate waveforms, the unit permits more accurate determination of output frequency than is possible with a simple calibrated dial.

Coarse and fine tuning controls permit the precision setting of the output frequency.

The heart of the function generator is a VCG (voltage controlled generator) that produces precision sine, square, or triangle waves over the 0.1Hz to 10MHz range.

This encompasses subaudible, audio, ultrasonic and RF applications.

A continuously variable DC offset allows the output to be injected directly into circuits at the correct bias level.

The sweep generator offers linear or log sweep with variable sweep rate and adjustable sweep time.

Variable symmetry of the output waveform converts the instrument to a pulse generator capable of generating rectangular waves or pulses, ramp or sawtooth waves, and slewed sine waves.

In addition to the above features, an external voltage may be used to control operating frequency.

This is useful in situations where an externally controlled frequency is desirable.

Tetra phones put to the test in service

2007-07-11T00:21:00.000-07:00

The 2303 Stabilock is a test instrument exclusively designed for testing Tetra phones in service and repair shops
New from Willtek Communications at the Tetra World Congress in Madrid, the 2303 Stabilock is a test instrument exclusively designed for testing Tetra phones in service and repair shops. The 2303 Stabilock is easy to set up and can be operated with a few keys only and a simple user interface; yet it offers the complete functionality needed to test all relevant transmitter and receiver
Tom Riedl, Product Marketing Manager at Willtek Communications, says: 'Test equipment for the PMR and PAMR markets has always been on offer from Willtek and other vendors; but Willtek's 2303 Stabilock is the first tester that reduces functionality and associated complexity, sise, and, last but not least, price, to what the service shops for public safety and security organisations require'.

'Officers can finally check staff equipment with the Stabilock at regular intervals, ensuring safe and reliable communication where it is needed'.

When police and other public safety and security officers assign their staff to a critical mission, the only way they can fully rely on their Tetra radios is if they are being tested regularly
Although the first Tetra networks were put into operation a decade ago, the 2303 Stabilock is the first tester designed solely for the service of Tetra phones.

Service managers responsible for the radio equipment can now use the affordable instrument to ensure that the radios are fully operational; this is particularly important for public safety and security organisations where lives may depend on proper communication tools.

With optional autorun test sequences, checking Tetra radios with the 2303 Stabilock becomes even easier because autorun produces an unequivocal go/no-go result.

This means that even untrained personnel can perform the tests with the Stabilock.

Although the basic Stabilock tests Tetra radios in trunked mode by simulating a TETRA basestation, there is also a direct mode operation (DMO) option available to test radios communicating directly with each other.

This may be useful for DMO-only equipment or for operators who want to ensure that both modes are fully functional in the mobile phone at hand.

The Stabilock can easily be used in the field because it is small, lightweight and robust.

Vehicle-mounted Tetra radios do not have to be dismounted for testing, because they can be tested in the vehicle with a Stabilock that is equipped with an optional battery.

The Stabilock's large handles protect the instrument against mechanical impact and shock, while the instrument itself has a footprint and a front panel both smaller than an A4 sheet.

The 2303 Stabilock builds on Willtek's tradition of designing precise, easy-to-use and robust instruments for mobile radios under the Stabilock brand.

Predecessors of the 2303 Stabilock include the Stabilocks 4031, 4032 and 4040.

Precision measurement instruments described

2007-07-11T00:14:00.000-07:00

Full colour catalogue provides full information on micro-ohmmeters and specialist temperature measurement instrumentation
Cropico has published a 52-page full colour catalogue providing full information on its precision measurement instruments. Cropico's high quality reputation goes back over 50 years and the company's range includes a wide range of resistance and temperature measurement solutions. Cropico micro-ohmmeters are designed for highly accurate measurement of low resistance values across a wide variety of production, safety and design engineering applications.

They are supported by specialist temperature measurement instrumentation with accuracies of 0.01C and which are designed for use with many different thermocouple types.

In addition, Cropico also supplies resistance decade boxes from 0.001ohm to 1Tohm and a range of high performance resistance standards which are noted for their long term stability

Analysers master cable and antenna installation

2007-07-04T06:27:00.001-07:00

Cable and antenna analysers combine a wide frequency range, ease of use and high accuracy in an extremely portable, rugged design
New from Anritsu, the S311D/S312D Site Master cable and antenna analysers combine a wide frequency of 2 to 1600MHz, ease of use and high accuracy in an extremely portable, rugged design that weighs less than 2.4kg. Developed to test the RF performance of P25 and Tetra systems in the VHF/UHF, 400MHz, and 700-800MHz bands, the S311/S312D are ideally suited for land mobile radio (LMR) and public safety system technicians and engineers.

The S311D/S312D's high sensitivity allows them to identify poor connections, damaged cables, water penetration, and bad antennas.

They have special RF immunity protection so users can make highly accurate measurements, even in RF-rich environments.

The analysers use the industry-leading Site Master design that features superior frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) techniques, allowing the analysers to conduct accurate return loss/VSWR, cable loss and distance-to-fault (DTF) measurements.

The S312D can be configured to include a cable and antenna analyser, spectrum analyser, interference analyser, channel scanner, received signal strength indicator (RSSI), AM/FM demodulation, RF power meter and transmission measurement capability.

It features a best-in-class -135dBm noise floor to find low-level signals that can interfere with LMR and SMR systems.

Featuring excellent dynamic range, the S312D's transmission measurement capability can be used to accurately tune filters, duplexers, transmitter combiners, receiver multi-couplers, and tower top amplifiers.

Simple to use, the S311D/S312D have dedicated routines for critical smart measurements, including channel power, carrier-to-interference, occupied bandwidth, interference analysis, adjacent channel power (ACPR), and AM/FM demodulation.

These are increasingly critical measurements for today's wireless communication systems.

A high-accuracy power meter with a true 6GHz RMS power sensor is available as an option, and allows the S311D/S312D to conduct accurate measurements of modulated signals.

Other options available for the S311D/S312D include a power monitor, channel scanner and GPS.

Because the S311D and S312D are extremely rugged, they can easily withstand the day-to-day punishment of field use.

Handset tester turns to CDMA2000

2007-07-04T06:25:00.000-07:00

Wireless handset test system gains CDMA2000 option in addition to GSM and WCDMA compatibility
Agilent Technologies has enhanced its GS-8210 wireless handset test system with a CDMA2000 option in addition to its GSM and WCDMA compatibility. The test system is designed for the low-cost mobile phone service and repair market. The Agilent GS-8210 with the CDMA2000 option supports test cases that are designed to the requirements defined by the CDMA Development Group for CDMA2000.

Based on research statistics from the CDMA Development Group in the last quarter of 2006, there were an estimated 270 million subscribers to CDMA2000 services.

This figure is also on the rise as more service operators globally are looking to upgrade their existing telecommunications infrastructure to support CDMA2000

Handset tester turns to CDMA2000

2007-06-18T23:48:00.001-07:00

Wireless handset test system gains CDMA2000 option in addition to GSM and WCDMA compatibility

Agilent Technologies has enhanced its GS-8210 wireless handset test system with a CDMA2000 option in addition to its GSM and WCDMA compatibility. The test system is designed for the low-cost mobile phone service and repair market. The Agilent GS-8210 with the CDMA2000 option supports test cases that are designed to the requirements defined by the CDMA Development Group for CDMA2000.
Based on research statistics from the CDMA Development Group in the last quarter of 2006, there were an estimated 270 million subscribers to CDMA2000 services.

This figure is also on the rise as more service operators globally are looking to upgrade their existing telecommunications

Combo instrument adds signal analysis

2007-06-18T23:46:00.000-07:00

The R and S FSUP now offers signal analysis functionality for mobile communications standards, supporting Bluetooth, GSM, 3GPP, TD-SCDMA, CDMA2000 and 1xEV-DO

First launched in 2006, the R and S FSUP from was the first instrument to combine a spectrum analyser and a phase noise tester. The company has now expanded the instrument to include signal analysis functionality for mobile communications standards, supporting Bluetooth, GSM, 3GPP, TD-SCDMA, CDMA2000 and 1xEV-DO.
Users merely need to upgrade their instruments by adding the options already available for the R and S FSU and FSP spectrum analysers.

By taking this step, Rohde and Schwarz now offers a one-box solution for developers and manufacturers of mobile radio components and equipment, saving cost and space.

In the field of aerospace and defence, the R and S FSUP is ideal for performing measurements on high-quality transmit and receive equipment such as communications systems or radar.

T and M instruments must also meet very high data security requirements, especially when removed from security areas for maintenance or calibration, for example.

Therefore, the R and S FSUP can now be optionally equipped with a replaceable hard disk, which can be easily removed from the instrument.

This means that security-relevant information always remains within the allocated areas.

Handset tester turns to CDMA2000

2007-06-16T02:27:00.000-07:00

Wireless handset test system gains CDMA2000 option in addition to GSM and WCDMA compatibility

Agilent Technologies has enhanced its GS-8210 wireless handset test system with a CDMA2000 option in addition to its GSM and WCDMA compatibility. The test system is designed for the low-cost mobile phone service and repair market. The Agilent GS-8210 with the CDMA2000 option supports test cases that are designed to the requirements defined by the CDMA Development Group for CDMA2000.
Based on research statistics from the CDMA Development Group in the last quarter of 2006, there were an estimated 270 million subscribers to CDMA2000 services.

This figure is also on the rise as more service operators globally are looking to upgrade their existing telecommunications

Analysers master cable and antenna installation

2007-06-16T02:25:00.000-07:00

Cable and antenna analysers combine a wide frequency range, ease of use and high accuracy in an extremely portable, rugged design

New from Anritsu, the S311D/S312D Site Master cable and antenna analysers combine a wide frequency of 2 to 1600MHz, ease of use and high accuracy in an extremely portable, rugged design that weighs less than 2.4kg. Developed to test the RF performance of P25 and Tetra systems in the VHF/UHF, 400MHz, and 700-800MHz bands, the S311/S312D are ideally suited for land mobile radio (LMR) and public safety system technicians and engineers.
The S311D/S312D's high sensitivity allows them to identify poor connections, damaged cables, water penetration, and bad antennas.

They have special RF immunity protection so users can make highly accurate measurements, even in RF-rich environments.

The analysers use the industry-leading Site Master design that features superior frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) techniques, allowing the analysers to conduct accurate return loss/VSWR, cable loss and distance-to-fault (DTF) measurements.
The S312D can be configured to include a cable and antenna analyser, spectrum analyser, interference analyser, channel scanner, received signal strength indicator (RSSI), AM/FM demodulation, RF power meter and transmission measurement capability.

It features a best-in-class -135dBm noise floor to find low-level signals that can interfere with LMR and SMR systems.

Featuring excellent dynamic range, the S312D's transmission measurement capability can be used to accurately tune filters, duplexers, transmitter combiners, receiver multi-couplers, and tower top amplifiers.

Simple to use, the S311D/S312D have dedicated routines for critical smart measurements, including channel power, carrier-to-interference, occupied bandwidth, interference analysis, adjacent channel power (ACPR), and AM/FM demodulation.

These are increasingly critical measurements for today's wireless communication systems.

A high-accuracy power meter with a true 6GHz RMS power sensor is available as an option, and allows the S311D/S312D to conduct accurate measurements of modulated signals.

Other options available for the S311D/S312D include a power monitor, channel scanner and GPS.

Because the S311D and S312D are extremely rugged, they can easily withstand the day-to-day punishment of field use.

An intuitive, menu-driven user interface is easy to use and requires little or no training.

Further simplifying operation are a full range of markers to make accurate measurements, and limit lines that allow users to create quick and simple pass/fail tests.

Combo instrument adds signal analysis

2007-06-12T05:52:00.000-07:00

The R and S FSUP now offers signal analysis functionality for mobile communications standards, supporting Bluetooth, GSM, 3GPP, TD-SCDMA, CDMA2000 and 1xEV-DO

First launched in 2006, the R and S FSUP from was the first instrument to combine a spectrum analyser and a phase noise tester. The company has now expanded the instrument to include signal analysis functionality for mobile communications standards, supporting BlUsers merely need to upgrade their instruments by adding the options already available for the R and S FSU and FSP spectrum analysers.

By taking this step, Rohde and Schwarz now offers a one-box solution for developers and manufacturers of mobile radio components and equipment, saving cost and space.

In the field of aerospace and defence, the R and S FSUP is ideal for performing measurements on high-quality transmit and receive equipment such as communications systems or radar.

T and M instruments must also meet very high data security requirements, especially when removed from security areas for maintenance or calibration, for example.

Therefore, the R and S FSUP can now be optionally equipped with a replaceable hard disk, which can be easily removed from the instrument.uetooth, GSM, 3GPP, TD-SCDMA, CDMA2000 and 1xEV-DO.

Power analyser is a class of its own for R and D

2007-05-31T07:29:00.001-07:00

DC power analyser is claimed to provide unrivalled productivity gains when sourcing and measuring DC voltage and current into a device under test
Agilent Technologies has introduced a DC power analyser claimed to provide unrivalled productivity gains when sourcing and measuring DC voltage and current into a device under test (DUT). This tool, which R and D engineers can use to gain insights into the DUT's power consumption in minutes without writing a single line of code, represents an entirely new instrument category for R and D engineers.

The Agilent N6705A DC power analyser is a highly integrated instrument that combines up to four advanced DC power supplies, DMM, oscilloscope, arbitrary waveform generator and datalogger.

It provides an easy-to-use interface, with all sourcing and measuring functions available from the front panel.

'R and D engineers are always under time pressure, so an instrument that makes powering up designs easier and collecting DC voltage and current measurements faster would be a welcome addition to the R and D toolset', said Galen Wampler, industry analyst at Prime Data.

'Agilent's innovative DC Power analyser defines a new category of instrument that integrates multiple functions into a single box'.

'This integration, along with an intuitive front panel, allows R and D engineers to gain insights into their DUT in minutes, not hours, without writing a single line of code'.
Today, when performing DC power-related tests, R and D engineers must gather and configure multiple instruments to complete DC sourcing and measurement tasks.

When executing these complex tasks, which can involve simultaneously connecting to and physically interacting with multiple test instruments, the risk of error increases.

In response, R and D engineers may choose to automate tests that are too complex to do manually.

Unfortunately, while automating tasks reduces human error, writing and debugging programs adds more work to already overloaded R and D engineers.

As an integrated instrument, the Agilent N6705A DC power analyser eliminates the need for multiple pieces of equipment and complex test setups.

With built-in current measurements, the DC power analyser also eliminates the need for transducers, such as current probes and shunts, to measure current into the DUT.

With connections and controls that are colour-coded to the display, the R and D engineer can quickly set up and control the DC Power analyser, confident that it is configured properly and working correctly.

Dedicated controls for common functions provide operation via a familiar interface, with each instrument function behaving like its stand-alone counterpart.

The Agilent N6705A DC power analyser also eliminates the need to develop and debug programs that control a collection of instruments to take measurements.

All the functions and measurements are available at the front panel, thereby eliminating the need for a PC, drivers and software, and reducing 90% of the effort associated with setup.

Users report completing their DC sourcing and measuring tasks in five minutes using the DC Power analyser, compared with two days using standard test equipment.

The Agilent N6705A DC Power analyser is fully compliant with the LXI class C specification.

It has USB 2.0, 10/100 Base-T Ethernet (LAN) and GPIB interfaces as standard features, allowing quick and simple connectivity to a PC or a network.

The Agilent N6705A can be remotely operated from any browser by connecting to its built-in web page.

The DC power analyser is an Agilent Open product offering that ensures industry-standards-based open connectivity in hardware and software.

The Agilent N6705A DC power analyser is available for purchase now and will begin shipping this month.

The N6705A is priced at US $6500 and is ready to accept from one to four DC Power Modules, totalling up to 600W.

DC power modules range from $450 to $2250 per module.

Power analyser is a class of its own for R and D

2007-05-31T07:29:00.000-07:00

Modules put more power into test systems

2007-05-31T07:27:00.000-07:00

Additional modules extend the N6700 low-profile modular power system to 300W
Agilent Technologies has introduced two additional modules for its popular N6700 low-profile modular power system that extend its high-performance capabilities up to 300W. These modules build on Agilent's industry leadership in the number of outputs and amount of power that can be packed into a 1U (1-EIA rack unit) rack-mountable system.

The new modules represent Agilent's next step in a series of enhancements to the Agilent N6700 low-profile modular power system (MPS), which gives test system integrators in the aerospace/defence, consumer electronics, computers and peripherals, communications, semiconductor, and automotive industries the flexibility to optimise performance, power and price to meet test needs.

The Agilent N6700 MPS was the industry's first power supply to receive LXI certification and enjoys overwhelming customer acceptance.

'Our customers value the small size and the mix-and-match design of the Agilent N6700 MPS', said Scott Sampl, Vice President and General Manager of Agilent's System Products Division.

'But for some customers, their ATE systems require even more - the power supplies must be small in size plus have higher power, speed and performance'.

'With these new modules, we continue to expand the MPS platform to deliver on all of those requirements at the same time'.
The Agilent N6753A and N6754A modules, together with the 20 modules already offered, comprise a family ranging in power from 50W to 300W at three different performance levels: basic, high performance and precision.

Test system integrators can mix and match any of these 22 modules in any of the three MPS mainframes to create a 1U-high DC power system of one to four outputs at prices starting at US $1000 per output.

The Agilent N6700 MPS gives test system designers the flexibility to select from and combine 22 different DC power modules in any of three MPS mainframes.

Test system designers can create a one- to four-channel DC power system totalling 400, 600 or 1200W in a 1U-high package optimised to meet specific test requirements.

Test system engineers can invest in high-performance outputs where speed and accuracy are needed, or purchase basic performance outputs for simple DC power requirements at prices starting at $1000 per output.

The N6700 modular power system is fully compliant with the LXI class C specification.

It has USB 2.0, 10/100 Base-T Ethernet (LAN) and GPIB interfaces as standard features, allowing quick and simple connectivity to a PC or a network.

The Agilent N6700 can also be remotely operated from any browser by connecting to its built-in Web page.

The MPS is an Agilent Open product offering that ensures industry-standards-based open connectivity in hardware and software.

The Agilent N6700 MPS modules are available for purchase now, and will begin shipping this month.

The new 300W high-performance, autoranging DC power modules are the N6753A (20V, 50A, 300W) and the N6754A (60V, 20A, 300W).

Collaboration on WiMAX test development and sales

2007-05-31T07:23:00.000-07:00

Aeroflex and AT4 wireless have entered into a worldwide distribution agreement for the sale and support of the WiMAX RF Conformance Test (WiMAX RCT MINT T2110) and WiMAX Protocol Conformance Test (WiMAX PCT MINT T223x) systems. Under the terms of the distribution agreement, Aeroflex will provide the worldwide sales and support channel for both conformance test systems to all customers for WiMAX technology including the accredited WiMAX test laboratories.

The PCT is being codeveloped by the two companies under their ongoing collaborative development agreement and the RCT is being developed by AT4 wireless.

In addition, as a further evolution in the joint development activities of the two companies, Aeroflex will use its wireless test manufacturing facilities in the UK to manufacture AT4 wireless' WIMAX signalling unit which is used in both the WiMAX RCT and WiMAX PCT testers.

'This sales and distribution agreement, along with the manufacturing enhancement, leverages the skills and strengths of both companies enabling us to significantly increase our test case development and our output capacity', says John Jager, General Manager of Aeroflex Test Solutions, Wireless Division.
'The strong market demand provides a positive environment for the further growth of both companies'.

'Our expanding partnership with AT4 wireless puts us in an even stronger position to meet the increased demand'.

'Our WiMAX RCT and WiMAX PCT systems uniquely utilise the same core signalling engine making us the only supplier that can offer a consistent, compatible and reliable capability across both RF and protocol testing', says Fernando E Hardasmal, Deputy General Director of AT4 wireless.

'Our co-operation with Aeroflex is building on our success in GSM/GPRS/UMTS/HSDPA and we expect to achieve great results in WiMAX as well'.

Amplifiers expand comms instrumentation

2007-05-22T00:05:00.001-07:00

With 30 years specialist RF design and manufacturing experience, US-based B and Z Technologies has introduced a new line of high performance, yet competitively priced, RF microwave and millimetre-wave amplifiers. With an ultrawide bandwidth, low noise figures and unconditional stability, the amplifiers require no compromise on performance or reliability.

Top of the range amplifiers offer a bandwidth from 100MHz to 40GHz and maximum noise figures from 0.7 to 4dB.

All B and Z microwave and millimetre-wave amplifiers fit into a single common housing, giving design engineers the flexibility to upgrade their systems easily.

The family is comprehensive, and includes medium power and high dynamic range versions, as well as wideband and ultrawideband models.
Further reading

Track-and-hold amps handle ultrawideband duties
The latest Inphi GigaTrack range of track-and-hold amplifiers will enable an entirely new class of instrumentation, communications, ATE and military systems

Impressive performance without the price tag
The GDS 2000 series of digital storage oscilloscopes, just launched by GW Instek, is destined to become the new benchmark for mid-range, general-purpose DSOs

Additional features include cryogenic operation, excellent group delay, and all models have built in DC regulators.

The amplifiers have been designed to be RoHS compliant where commercial applications require this.

The B and Z Technologies top range amplifiers complement Aspen's existing line up of RF, microwave and millimetre-wave offerings, and are ideal for defence, avionics, satellite communications and instrumentation applications.

Aspen's technical and commercial expertise ensures customers can find the best technical solution to meet project constraints.

Models are already in stock, and samples can be supplied in 2 to 3 weeks, with production quantities available in 3 to 4 weeks.

Prices are highly competitive, and range from GBP 250 to GBP 700 depending on the model and volume ordered.

Logic analyser, oscilloscope

2007-05-22T00:04:00.000-07:00

Instrument combine a real-time oscilloscope, a logic analyser, and a waveform search engine into one compact and portable instrument for embedded design and debugSJ Electronics has availability of the new Tektronix MSO4000 mixed signal oscilloscope (MSO). The new range of MSO4000 combine three powerful capabilities - a real-time oscilloscope, a logic analyser, and the Wave Inspector waveform search engine - into one compact and portable instrument for embedded design and debug.

Debugging an embedded design often requires viewing analogue signal phenomena and the interaction of digital control signals.

In this mixed signal environment, engineers find it difficult to accurately predict the types of problems that will be uncovered during development.

They need a test instrument with the ability to acquire both analogue and digital signals and display them time-correlated on a single display.
Further reading

Tester allows single-person wire checking
Extech Instruments' CT20 Continuity Tester Pro allows single-person operation of wire and cable continuity checking and identification

Power sensor controlled by USB
Power sensor combines RF detection, analogue and digital signal processing and the entire evaluation logic of a peak power meter in a compact sensor which can be controlled remotely via USB

The new Tektronix MSO4000 combines leading oscilloscope and basic analyser capabilities so that engineers can conveniently envisage and compare analogue and digital signals on a single instrument.

The MSO4000 oscilloscope family consists of four models ranging from 350MHz to 1GHz, with two or four analogue channels and 16 digital channels to provide up to 20 time-correlated channels.

The MSO4032 and MSO4034 provide bandwidth of 350MHz on two and four analogue channels costing £5,390.00 and £6,760.00 respectively.

The MSO4054 priced at £8,620.00 provides 500MHz bandwidth across four analogue channels and the MSO4104 offers 1GHz bandwidth on the four analogue channels.

The MSO4104 priced at £10,700.00 provides 5Gsample/s sampling on all channels and the other models provide 2.5 Gsample/s on all channels.

All models come standard with 10M record length on all analogue and digital channels.

One P6516 16 channel digital probe is included with each MSO4000 model purchased.

Melvin Crane, Managing Director at SJ Electronics, says: 'The MSO4000 Series is yet another range of new innovative products from Tektronix with powerful debugging capabilities for many customer applications'.

'When Tektronix bring out new products they always set new standards in the marketplace'.

'The launch of the MSO4000 Series is no different'.

'Our entire UK sales force is fully equipped to offer demonstrations having undergone official Tektronix training'.

'With full MSO stock availability, SJ Electronics is well positioned to meet customer demand'.

Baseband signal generator

2007-05-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

The R and S AMU200A from Rohde and Schwarz combines a baseband signal generator and fader in a single instrument. Up to two complete baseband signal generators are available for applications in the laboratory and production. Furthemore, the internal fading simulator with as many as 40 fading paths allows standard-compliant channel simulation.

Thus, the R and S AMU200A has a variety of test methods in the baseband no matter whether the user is interested in digital standards, diversity methods, or fading behaviour.

Combining these functions in one instrument of only four height units save space and costs.

Due to its modular design, the R and S AMU200A can also be configured exclusively as a fading simulator or as a baseband signal generator.

Moreover, the R and S AMU200A can be upgraded to meet future requirements and thus provides safety of investment.

To test baseband components for mobile user equipment, base stations, and other broadband communications equipment, developers and manufacturers require a reliable source for baseband signals.
Further reading

Power sensor controlled by USB
Power sensor combines RF detection, analogue and digital signal processing and the entire evaluation logic of a peak power meter in a compact sensor which can be controlled remotely via USB

Signal generators upgrade for LTE compliance
A new option turns the R and S SMU200A, SMJ100A and SMATE200A into the world's first generators for LTE signals

Universal comms tester gets wireless upgrade
The CMU200 universal communications tester now supports CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A, the latest enhancement to the CDMA2000 family of standards that are being deployed by wireless service providers

Sensors for short-wave optical power meter
New sensors for the established Avantest Q8230 optical power meter allow measurement of wavelengths down to 400nm and are suitable for precise measurements on CD, DVD, Blu-ray, and HD-DVD players

But an RF signal generator is generally not required.

Thorough tests in the baseband reduce the test effort in the RF range.

In addition, fading phenomena have to be taken into consideration especially when developing wireless communications equipment.

In practice, uneven terrain, buildings, or mobile objects influence the transmission of signals.

The R and S AMU200A satisfies both requirements.

Equipped with two fading simulators, the R and S AMU200A can be used for channel simulation in the baseband.

Up to 20 fading paths per channel, time resolution of 0.01ns, and predefined static and dynamic fading profiles make the R and S AMU200A suitable for sophisticated tests under real conditions.

The R and S AMU200A also functions as a flexible baseband source for tests on baseband components of broadband communications equipment and generates signals for all important digital standards such as WLAN, WiMAX, GSM/EDGE, 3GPP FDD, HSPA, and LTE - even in real time in some cases.

Optionally equipped with two flexibly interconnectible baseband paths, the R and S AMU200A provides two synchronous generators in a single instrument.

Sophisticated diversity tests can thus be performed with a single instrument, saving costs and space in laboratories or test systems.

Each of the two internal signal generators of the R and S AMU200A additionally features an arbitrary waveform generator with 16, 64, or 128Msample.

Thus, user-specific signals such as multicarrier signals of different digital standards can also be easily generated.

Moreover, it is possible to feed as many as two additional, external signals to the R and S AMU200A.

The combination of up to four baseband signals also permits measurements on multistandard base stations.

Moreover, the generator offers exceptional signal quality: broadband phase noise is typically -155dBc, and ACLR performance typically +78dB for 3GPP FDD.