EE-Evaluation Engineering articles from August 2006

EE-Evaluation Engineering archives from August 2006

Robots 1--humans 0.(EDITORIAL)
August 1, 2006... Although not nearly as exciting as the World Cup of soccer held in Germany last month, RoboCup 2006, nevertheless, generated a lot of excitement and enthusiasm for those who attended, the event. Billed as the most important robotic competition...

Spectrum Analyzers span 3 Hz to 26.5 GHz.(Product Briefing)
August 1, 2006... The 3280 Series Spectrum Analyzers maintain a level of accuracy of [+ or -]0.15 dB up to 3 GHz and feature local oscillator phase noise The series incorporates an internal hard drive and a built-in CD ROM for handling interfaces such as LAN...

Analyzer combines fixed and mobile WiMAX signals.(Product Briefing)
August 1, 2006... The MS2781B Signature[TM] Signal Analyzer integrates a suite of physical-layer measurements of both fixed and mobile WiMAX signals. It displays a variety of measurements including a mobile WiMAX signal with 64QAM, 16QAM, and QPSK formats...

Shaker handles 1,000-pound payload.(Product Briefing)
August 1, 2006... The DS-6650 Shaker is an air-cooled 6,650 force-pound vibration system with a 16" dia magnesium armature providing acceleration levels up to 100 g. The system features a 2" peak-to-peak displacement for low-frequency, high-displacement tests...

Generator simulates custom waveforms.(Product Briefing)
August 1, 2006... The 29x Series of one-, two-, or four-channel 100-MS/s 12-b waveform generators defines and simulates signals of 50 MHz or lower for arbitrary waveform, function generator, pulse/pulse train generator, sweep generator, trigger generator, tone...

Generators offer low phase noise and fast switching.(Product Briefing)
August 1, 2006... The Panther 2500 Series Signal Generators offer low phase noise performance at switching speeds of [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Two configurations are designed for benchtop and ATE applications covering 100 kHz to 8 GHz, 20 GHz, 26.5 GHz, and...

Modules support 528 crosspoint switches.(Product Briefing)
August 1, 2006... The 40-540/1/2 family of single-slot 3U PXI switching modules is offered as a 132x4, 66x8, or 33x16 reed relay matrix with one-pole switching. Each module supports a matrix with up to 528 crosspoint switches and handles signals up to 150 V and...

Tester incorporates spectrum Analysis and phase noise.(Product Briefing)
August 1, 2006... The R & S FSUP comprises a spectrum analyzer and phase noise tester covering 8, 26.5, or 50 GHz. When measuring phase noise, the instrument compares the signal from the DUT with a reference signal source using its internal reference or an...

System features RF measurement option.(Product Briefing)
August 1, 2006... The Sapphire[TM] D-40 Test System, the latest addition to the company's D Series, combines analog, digital, mixed-signal, and RF test instrumentation. It provides analog and mixed-signal scalability for SiP and MCP device integration. With more...

Reach-in chamber designed for small components.(Product Briefing)
August 1, 2006... MicroClimate[R] is an upright 3 [ft.sup.3] reach-in chamber designed for testing small components. The chamber, available in a temperature or a temperature/humidity configuration, simulates a full range of temperature and humidity conditions...

COTS Software-Defined Radio and SCA compliance: from battlefield safety to homeland security, success depends on how well software-defined radios comply with today's communications standards.(AEROSPACE/DEFENSE PC-BASED TEST)
August 1, 2006... The Software Communications Architecture (SCA) mandated by the Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) program office provides a software framework for implementing Software-Defined Radio (SDR) platforms. This framework offers many features to...

Managing innovation: an authority on successful R & D endeavors shares some of the culture and processes he believes help to inspire innovation.(MANAGER'S FORUM)
August 1, 2006... A company's growth comes from the innovation of its employees, and sustained growth requires a reliable stream of innovation. While in a well-run R & D operation it is possible to predictably schedule and release products, it is not possible to...

Working in a friendly boundary scan environment: still using the same old test tools? New boundary scan software can improve your efficiency.(TEST SOFTWARE EVALUATION)(Cover story)
August 1, 2006... Boundary scan PCB testing has been made easier by the new ProVision software application from JTAG Technologies. Little has changed about the low-level netlist and device descriptions required by the boundary scan routines, but ProVision...

Predeployment testing of wireless mesh networks: a new and resilient Internet infrastructure presents a set of unique testing challenges.(WIRELESS TEST)
August 1, 2006... Wireless mesh networking, combining performance, simplicity, and economics, can be used when wired backhaul networks are impractical in applications such as municipal wireless networks, public safety, healthcare, and education. In fact, a...

Digitally controlled power supplies: digital power means more than printing a 1 and 0 next to the on/off switch.(POWER SUPPLIES/SOURCES)
August 1, 2006... The fact that power supply companies disagree about what the term digital power means is a sure sign of the technology's infancy. Digital control techniques are expected to benefit power supplies just as digital motor-drive controllers have...

Blob analysis and edge detection in the real world: to address today's image analysis tasks, you need a judicious mix of old methods and new techniques.(IMAGE ANALYSIS SOFTWARE)
August 1, 2006... The purpose of analysis is to determine whether the results obtained from an operation are accurate, logical, and true. Engineers use analysis tools to monitor a given process. In machine vision, this process of monitoring is performed using...

Environmental Test Buyers Guide.(Directory)
August 1, 2006... EE's annual Environmental Test Buyers Guide is a comprehensive, up-to-date listing of the companies that offer environmental testing products, equipment, and services. The guide is arranged in two sections. First is a product/company...

Required amplifier power in automotive radar pulse measurements: what will keep your brakes from failing or your airbag from deploying the next time you cruise past an airport?(EMC APPLICATIONS)
August 1, 2006... For many years, automakers have performed electromagnetic compatibility testing of automobiles before their release to consumers. However, as the electronics content of vehicles becomes greater every year, it expands the potential for component...

Self-calibrating receiver.(EMC PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... The CER2018 Compliant Emissions Receiver covers 20 Hz to 18 GHz and expands to 110 GHz. The receiver's internal calibration system supports on-demand self-calibration at every frequency scan. All functions are menu driven via the standard mouse...

Higher frequency probes.(EMC PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... The frequency range of both the laser-powered Model HI-6105 LaserPro[TM] and the battery-powered Model HI-6005 Broadband E-Field Probes has been extended to 6 GHz. Typical response is [+ or -] 1 dB @ 26 MHz to 2 GHz, [+ or -]2 dB @ 2 GHz to 4...

More versatile gaskets.(EMC PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Two additions have been made to the company's range of D-shape shielding gaskets: a high deflection copper alloy product and a metalized fabric gasket. The copper alloy gasket features very low compression forces and a long service life. The...

Nonmagnetic filter plate.(EMC PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... When nonmagnetic parts are specified, such as in medical applications that place electronic devices in the vicinity of MRI equipment, nonmagnetic filter plates now are available. The company's line of standard and custom EMI filter plates can...

RoHS-compliant filters.(EMC PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... Standard off-the-shelf power entry filters, filtered power entry modules, and single-phase power line filters for both general purpose and low-leakage medical applications are available in RoHS-compliant versions. Primary entry filters and...

Free shielding kit.(EMC PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... A RoHS-compliant beryllium copper sample gasket kit is available with more than 20 popular shapes and sizes including contacts, fold-overs, clip-ons, and longitudinal edge gaskets. The suitability of a gasket selected experimentally can be...

Shielded fan filter.(EMC PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... A new range of shielded fan filters contains a spiral EMI gasket around the perimeter as well as a patented treatment of the honeycomb material and aluminum panels to achieve greater than 80-dB shielding effectiveness at 1 GHz. The 1/4"- or...

RF Absorber material.(EMC PRODUCTS)
August 1, 2006... CHO-MUTE[TM] 9020 Elastomer RF Absorber provides wideband attenuation within operating frequencies of 30 MHz to 12 GHz. RF absorption is up to 20 dB. The flexible, environmentally friendly material comes in sheets, die cut, or molded parts....

Ceramic Probe Holder.(ATE)
August 1, 2006... The Model 79-8000-HCT-03 Triaxial Ceramic Probe Holder provides stable and uniform electrical contact over a long-time period in extended high- and low-temperature tests. It is compatible with standard 7 Series Probe Tips and can be used with...

Wafer Probing System.(ATE)
August 1, 2006... The high-speed, tabletop SA-6 Semiautomatic Probing System accommodates wafers 6" and smaller. It is configurable for RF/microwave, failure analysis, MEMS, optoelectronics, discrete device characterization, and R & D applications. A variety of...

Temperature transmitter.(DATA ACQUISITION)
August 1, 2006... The OM-CP-RFTC4000A is a portable, battery-powered, standalone thermocouple-based temperature transmitter device. When enabled, the wireless transmitter sends readings back to the host computer for real-time analysis and logging to memory. A...

Real-time analyzer.(DATA ACQUISITION)
August 1, 2006... The SO Analyzer is equipped with a 24-b, four-channel USB-powered dynamic acquisition module for use in portable noise and vibration applications. It features self-powered USB 2.0 high-speed connectivity to a host PC or a laptop, a 25-kHz...

Programmable signal conditioner.(DATA ACQUISITION)
August 1, 2006... The compact DTX-5000 Programmable Signal Conditioning System features a wideband frequency response to 400 kHz, an on-board Pentium IV processor running Windows, and visible per-channel status indication. A 5U chassis provides the platform for...

Shortwave infrared camera.(INSPECTION)
August 1, 2006... The high-resolution, shortwave infrared (SWIR) SU640SDWH-1.7RT is an indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) camera with a spectral response from 900 nm to 1,700 nm. A 640 x 512 pixel focal-plane array (FPA) on a 25-micron pitch captures full-size...

Generator/analyzer pod.(INSTRUMENTATION)
August 1, 2006... The GP-22050-BASE is a PC-controlled USB 2.0 pod with arbitrary digital waveform generator and logic analyzer capabilities. It enables the stimulation and analysis of digital interfaces, streaming data to/from a PC to 16 data lines at up to...

Vibration Calibration System.(INSTRUMENTATION)
August 1, 2006... The CS18P HF Primary Vibration Calibration System uses a laser vibrometer as the primary reference standard to calibrate vibration transducers, calibrators, and meters. The system achieves a frequency response range from 10 to 20,000 Hz for...

Custom EMI filters.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... Captor custom-designs EMI filters to control interference on power, data transmission and signal lines, often in difficult environments. Colorful 6-page brochure covers engineering, testing, and production of these complex filters, as well as a...

Switching Handbook.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... Keithley's new Switching Handbook discusses the fundamentals of the switching function in test and measurement applications, basics of switching setup, and the more common switching mistakes. It includes a glossary, switch card and switch...

Flat-panel Monitor.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... The FPM-3120G Monitor is a SVGA TFT LCD with high luminance of up to 350 cd/m2 and backlight with a life expectancy of 50,000 hours. The aluminum NEMA4/IP65-compliant front panel has a hard anodic coating to protect the panel from abrasion and...

Data acquisition systems.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... The BLUECAT[R] New Horizons[R] in data acquisition systems features 120 Dilbert cartoons and 130+ pages of information and products for the DAS market from USB data acquisition, Ethernet data acquisition, signal conditioners; portable...

Humidity calibration solutions.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... Featuring the Model 2500 [+ or -]0.5% RH Humidity Calibration Chamber, NVLAP-accredited Thunder Scientific is recognized the world over as the industry standard for NIST-traceable two-pressure humidity calibration technology. High-accuracy...

Preamplifiers and low-loss cables.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... A.H. Systems has preamplifiers and high-frequency low-loss cables to match all antennas to 2, 4, 7, 18, 26.5, and 40 GHz. Each preamplifier is supplied with a DC regulated power source and a low-voltage indicator to power the preamplifier with...

Switch matrix modules.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... Digalog[TM] introduces the DigESwitch. It provides you with five 46x8 switch matrix modules that, when combined, offer you a 230x8 switch matrix. The DigESwitch uses high-reliability ATE-grade relays all controlled through an Ethernet...

Measurement and control tools.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... It's about time--Engineers and scientists can finally use the time-saving power and convenience of Measurement Studio's integrated suite of measurement and automation controls, tools, and class libraries with Measurement Computing's cost-saving...

Power conditioners.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... The new GATEKEEPER[TM] line of power conditioners for military and aerospace ATE eliminates the need for multibox distribution, isolation, and protection solutions and satisfies COTS requirements, supplying clean power for noise sensitive...

Electrostatic discharge Gun.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... The new KES4021 ESD Gun generates accurate waveforms conforming to IEC 61000-4-2 and ISO10605 standards; discharge voltage is up to [+ or -]30 kV. The current waveform is only small ringing and correct first peak, second peak. Repeatable ESD...

Vibration screening systems.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... Our vibration stress screening systems shake the "bugs" out before your products leave your plant. Rates of 10 to 10,000 units per day work on automotive, consumer, medical, and general industrial products. Get the "bugs" before they become...

Data acquisition products.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... MCC's spring/summer catalog introduces 20 products, including two hardware lines, three software upgrades, and a powerful software environment--Measurement Studio MCC Edition--turning Visual Studio .NET into a DAQ engineering workbench. Low...

Vibration, test, and Measurement equipment.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... LDS Test and Measurement offers dynamic signal analyzers and vibration controllers with the convenience of USB connectivity, a full line of electrodynamic shakers, and portable data acquisition systems complete with ready to test software. LDS...

Leak current tester.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... The 3156 Leak Current HiTESTER is a single unit capable of measuring leak current in compliance with the IEC, UL, and JIS standards. It includes built-in networks simulating human resistance according to the above specifications. One unit can...

I/O cube.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... PowerDNA is the ultimate distributed data acquisition I/O cube. Up to 150 thermocouple inputs, 48 strain gage inputs, [+ or -]100-V analog inputs, 288 digital I/O, CAN-Bus, PWM, and more in a 4x4x6" or 4x4x4" cube. Extensive software for...

Ovens and furnaces.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... More than 400 standard ovens and furnaces with temperatures to 2,700[degress]F and custom-designed heat-processing systems are described in this catalog. Grieve offers laboratory, bench, cabinet, truck, walk-in, and conveyor ovens; clean-room...

Laser-powered probe.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... AR Worldwide RF/Microwave Instrumentation has redesigned the Model FL7004 Probe to meet the new IEC 6-GHz requirement. The laser-powered probe, now known as Model FL7006, covers 100 kHz to 6 GHz/0.5 to 800V/m and features and an internal...

LED testing.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... The Smart FINN[TM] is a unique tool delivering highly accurate full color and intensity readings for a broad range of LEDs. Smart FINN is suitable for use in any test environment. Learn about its operation, applications, and features and find...

USB test and measurement.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... Data Translation's Free 2006 USB Product Guide offers details on the company's broad range of USB data acquisition products. Choose from low-cost, simultaneous, high-performance, and DSP products. Product charts simplify hardware and software...

Power supplies.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... KLP replaces the need for multiple power supplies by expanding the operating region. The breakthrough of a hyperbolic power limit delivers full 1,200 W over an expanded operating range, not just a single point. Five models have 1,200-W...

Digital filter Design Toolkit.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... Design and implement digital filters with the LabVIEW Digital Filter Design Toolkit. Quickly design, model, and implement both fixed- and floating-point digital filters and leverage interactive design tools to rapidly explore classical designs....

Semiconductor test systems.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... Verigy designs, develops, manufactures, and sells advanced test systems and solutions for the semiconductor industry. Verigy comprises the semiconductor test business recently separated from Agilent Technologies. Building upon 65+ years of...

Mass InterConnect Solutions.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... The Mass InterConnect Solutions Product Catalog simplifies how you configure a Mass InterConnect Solution. Exploded views for each product family quickly identify the necessary components to complete your Mass InterConnect Solution. It provides...

Shielding Tents.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
August 1, 2006... EMI Shielding Tents--external frame, instant up/down for emissions-free room anywhere! Made from Ni/Ag fabric. -86 dB, 20 MHz to 18 GHz. Suitcase, portable tabletop to room/lab size for onsite, on-demand pre-compliance testing. From $1,000....