EE-Evaluation Engineering articles from December 2004

EE-Evaluation Engineering archives from December 2004

The Thursday Morning Science Class.(EDITORIAL)
December 1, 2004... I recently received a letter from one of our readers stating how he and some of his friends spent their time promoting and advancing the study of science at an elementary school in Slidell, LA. Without any funding from the local school system...

Wireless Telecom acquires Willtek.(In The News)
December 1, 2004... The Wireless Telecom Group (WTT), a global provider of electronic noise-generation equipment for the telecommunications field, has acquired Willtek Communications, a German-based supplier of wireless communications devices to test mobile...

Cuming Microwave buys Lehman Chambers.(In The News)
December 1, 2004... Cuming Microwave has complemented its RF absorber materials and component product lines with the recent purchase of Lehman Chambers. Lehman manufactures anechoic RF shielded chamber facilities for high-frequency and EMC-related testing....

Phoenix/x-ray moves to East Coast headquarters.(In The News)
December 1, 2004... phoenix|x-ray Systems + Services, a German-based supplier of both nanofocus x-ray and automated failure-analysis systems, has moved its U.S. headquarters to St. Petersburg, FL. Boris Mathiszik will head the East Coast operations. David Lehmann,...

Measurement Science Conference.(Dates)
December 1, 2004... The 35th Measurement Science Conference, a five-day program designed to promote education and professionalism in measurement science and related disciplines, will be held Jan. 17-21 at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. The schedule includes NIST...

APEX.(Dates)
December 1, 2004... APEX, the IPC Printed Circuits Expo, and the IPC Designers Council Summit will combine with the Electronic Circuits World Convention 10 on Feb. 22-24 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 22 and 23...

JTAG system tests 10-Gb/s networks.(Product Briefing)
December 1, 2004... The ScanWorks JTAG Test System has been enhanced with the capability to test high-speed 1-Gb/s to 10-Gb/s serial buses on PCBs. It supports the functionality of the new IEEE 1149.6 boundary scan standard for advanced digital networks and tests...

Controllers feature 4-GB DDR RAM.(Product Briefing)
December 1, 2004... The NI PXI-8350 and NI VXI-8350 1U Rack-Mount Controllers feature a 3.0-GHz Pentium 4 processor with hyperthreading and up to 4 GB of dual-channel, double data rate (DDR) RAM. They incorporate a set of peripherals including a high-speed...

Interface simultaneously samples 16-b inputs.(Product Briefing)
December 1, 2004... The USB-1616FS, first of the Measurement Advantage[TM] Interfaces, provides 16 simultaneously sampled 16-b analog inputs with per-channel sampling rates as high as 50 kS/s. The unit also offers 8 b of digital I/O. The all-aluminum chassis...

Analyzer addresses HSS jitter testing.(Product Briefing)
December 1, 2004... The GT4000[TM] Continuous TIA (time interval analyzer) provides high-speed serial (HSS) interface jitter analysis for ATE. It includes the new Datacom Analysis (DCA) function that uses the company's proprietary virtual-pattern marker technology...

DSOs provide ultra-zoom display.(Product Briefing)
December 1, 2004... The 100-MHz analog bandwidth 6810CN and 6810MN DSOs provide a 250-MS/s real-time sampling rate with 50-GS/s equivalent time sampling and a 1:1 to 100:1 zoom waveform display. Both scopes have a 4k record length for each channel. ...

Diagnostic tool pinpoints yield issues.(Product Briefing)
December 1, 2004... Cadence[R] Encounter[TM] Diagnostics was developed to accelerate nanometer yield in production manufacturing environments. In the volume mode, the tool identifies the most critical design-related issues based on analyzing a statistically...

Getting the best deal on system hardware.(Advertisement)
December 1, 2004... Getting the best deal on a system component means more than simply getting the lowest price. Other factors such as test times, development time, and responsiveness of support need to be taken into account. I came across a good example of this...

Avoiding the obsolescence trap: a 20-year industry veteran provides insight into designing a system that will survive the ever-changing PC.(DATA ACQUISITION)(Cover Story)
December 1, 2004... Test systems based on PCs have been the standard for nearly two decades. In fact, it was 1984 when most of us had our first glimpse of graphical programming with the introduction of the Macintosh. At the same time, the market for data...

A high-throughput jitter analysis test strategy: a promising solution for economical precision test can take your jitters out of jitter testing.(JITTER TESTING)
December 1, 2004... Multigigabit high-speed serial (HSS) interfaces like PCI Express, Fibre Channel, XAUI, and Serial ATA risk slow industry adoption without a cost-effective production test solution. Traditional synchronous digital ATE solutions and even...

Websites you will want to bookmark.(Reader's Resource)
December 1, 2004... Useful websites is the theme of the 2004 Reader's Resource. We're certain that you will find interesting, helpful, and indeed useful entries in the accompanying list of sites. The selected material is diverse, partly because of the subjective...

The list.(READER'S RESOURCE)
December 1, 2004... ATE Agilent Technologies This is a top-level page from which you can access application and technical notes on topics ranging from semiconductor test equipment to PCB test and inspection. www.rsleads.com/412ee-176 Teradyne...

PCB inspection outlook for 2005: regardless of their labor rate, inspectors alone can't determine area-array solder-joint quality.(INSPECTION INDUSTRY OUTLOOK)
December 1, 2004... The use of smaller components, lead-free soldering, and greater PCB component density requires higher performance from automated PCB inspection systems. In separate ways, each of these factors has resulted in the need for higher resolution and...

Trends in failure analysis techniques: defect correlation analysis is a new approach in IC failure analysis technology.(FAILURE ANALYSIS)
December 1, 2004... Proper failure analysis can provide useful and cost-saving data for companies in control of their design and manufacturing processes. In this context, we are speaking of the capability to identify the nature or class of defects present in an IC...

CMOS-based camera.(INSPECTION PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2004... The CMOS Ultra II[TM] is a CMOS, 1.3 megapixel (1,280 X 1,024), monochrome, triggerable, lightweight industrial vision camera featuring a USB 2.0 interface. It comes with a C mount and tripod adapters and Direct Show, Twain, and DLL support....

Electronic Video Microscope.(INSPECTION PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2004... The speck FINDER[TM] Electronic Video Microscope features a six-way, 18" or 27" articulating-arm mounting system and a 5" to 9" working distance across the magnification range. A high-resolution, 6.4" thin-film-technology screen maintains...

Tabletop AOI system.(INSPECTION PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2004... The YTV-1000 System uses Thin Camera technology to provide off-line automated inspection of solder and lead defects, component presence and position, correct part, polarity, and through-hole parts. The new image-processing technology integrates...

Multiple-camera system.(INSPECTION PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2004... iNspect, the first Vision Appliance based on the company's NetSight II[TM] platform, has the capability to accommodate views and processing for up to three cameras at rates up to 60 parts/s. It features setup and monitoring via a traditional...

Video Microscope.(INSPECTION PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2004... The Hi-Eye[TM] Versatile Video Microscope for visual inspection and detailed quality control, manufacturing, or assembly work provides a user-friendly ergonomic design. It is available with three zoom lens options with magnifications to 230X....

Pattern-matching technology.(INSPECTION PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2004... Enhancements for pattern location and alignment have been added to the PatMax[R] geometric pattern matching technology available with the company's PC-based programmable vision systems. PatMax XLC (eXtremely Low Contrast) improves the...

Backside Repair Tool.(INSPECTION PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2004... The 9850 SiliconEtcher[TM] Backside Repair Tool uses patented Laser MicroChemical technology for flip-chip circuit debug and failure analysis. The integrated system locally thins silicon and produces an array of probe and repair trenches in the...

Automated software modules.(INSPECTION PRODUCTS)
December 1, 2004... The qfp | module and the mlf | module are automated measurement solutions based on X[E.sup.2] (X-Ray Image Evaluation Environment), the company's new open algorithm image analysis software. qfp | module covers inspection criteria as detailed in...

Communications Test Buyers Guide.
December 1, 2004... EE's annual Communications Test Buyers Guide is a comprehensive, up-to-date listing of the companies that specialize in communications test, including ATM; audio; CDMA/TDMA; fiber-optics; ISDN; mobile radio; PCS and video test equipment; bus,...

China RFID activities and conformity assessment: avoid some distinctly Chinese obstacles when developing products for today's fast-growing Eastern market.(EMC STANDARDS)
December 1, 2004... For most Western companies, China's exciting market opportunities are tempered by the country's mystery and political intrigue. If you are contemplating obtaining approvals for electrical and electronics products for telecommunications,...

Multivendor automation tools.(SOFTWARE)
December 1, 2004... The Agilent E2094N I/O Libraries Suite 14.0 features updated I/O libraries and new automated connection tools that detect instruments connected to a PC; configure the interfaces; and verify connection in test systems that mix Ethernet/LAN,...

Interactive software.(SOFTWARE)
December 1, 2004... NI SignalExpress, based on an extension of NI LabVIEW Express, is an interactive software environment for acquiring, comparing, automating, testing, and storing measurement signals on a benchtop. It integrates with PC based NI data acquisition...

BSDL Verification System.(SOFTWARE)
December 1, 2004... The BSDL (boundary-scan descriptive language) Verification/Creation System automatically extracts the boundary scan structure from the silicon to create a BSDL file or, if a BSDL file already exists, to verify its accuracy compared with the...

Accuracy improvement tools.(SOFTWARE)
December 1, 2004... Virtual Standards[R] is an accuracy improvement tool based on the company's proprietary algorithms for setting individual adjustments in measured devices to compensate for probable errors. The system, designed for field measurements, decreases...

Arb software.(SOFTWARE)
December 1, 2004... ArbExpress[TM] is a PC-based waveform-creation and editing tool that supports existing Tek arbitrary waveform generators (Arbs) and arbitrary function generators as well as the new AWG710B and AWG615 Arbs. The Windows based software combines...

DFT software.(SOFTWARE)
December 1, 2004... The OpenDFT WorkBench[TM] Software brings DFT-Intelligent[TM] interactive validation, debug, and diagnosis to ATE platforms. OpenDFT solutions complement the design-for-manufacturing flow by leveraging DFT throughout the test cycle to speed...

Quality data software.(SOFTWARE)
December 1, 2004... The SigmaSure enterprise Edition is web-architected quality and performance-intelligence software for real-time collection, aggregation, and analysis of test and process data across globally dispersed organizations from product conception...

Ethernet-based components.(DATA ACQUISITION)
December 1, 2004... The DaqScan/2000[TM] Series of Ethernet-based system components provides analog, digital, and frequency I/O capability, 16-b resolution; and 200-kHz measurements. The series includes four modules; DaqScan/2001 with 16 analog inputs, four analog...

PDA-based systems.(DATA ACQUISITION)
December 1, 2004... The Datastick[R] DAS-1254 and DAS-1294 Data Acquisition Systems that attach to Palm[TM] PDAs have four and eight analog input channels, respectively, with 12-b resolution and a 20-kHz internal sample rate. The Report System[TM] software has the...

Low-cost Vibration Test Systems and Digital Controllers.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... 100 lbf System $5,557 with Vibrator, base, blower, low-distortion linear amplifier, cables & hose. Digital Controller Packages convert PCs to Vibration Controllers--Sine $3,995. Random $4,995. 4-Channel SweptSine, Random & Classical Shock with...

Data acquisition.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... BLUECAT[R] New Horizons[R] Product Preview of the Data Acquisition Handbook features 90 Dilbert Cartoons, products for DAS market from Ethernet-enabled meters, controllers and signal conditioners; multifunction, PCI-bus A/D boards; DIN rail...

Sourcing and measurement products.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... Keithley's 2005 catalog offers details and specifications on the company's general-purpose and sensitive sourcing and measurement products, DC switching, RF switching and measurement, data acquisition solutions, semiconductor test systems, and...

Harmonic and flicker emissions tester.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... HV TECHNOLOGIES makes harmonic and flicker emissions testing affordable with EMC-PARTNER's HAR1000-1P System, which meets the latest standard and the new Inter-Harmonic requirements. Twenty-five HAR1000-1Ps were purchased by The Regulatory...

Measurement and automation catalog.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... The National Instruments catalog is the leading virtual instrumentation resource for engineers and scientists seeking the most productive customer-defined software and hardware tools. You will find everything you need from new product...

Honeycomb filter.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... Spira's NEW Shielded Air Vent Honeycomb Filters, featuring a revolutionary patented process, provide consistent, reliably high levels of shielding while allowing cooling air to penetrate an electrical equipment cabinet. This design guide...

EMI shielding technology.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... For 20 years, Leader Tech has provided circuit board shielding (CBS), EMI gaskets, and custom stampings. Today, we lead in innovations in CBS with our Multi-Cavity Shields and EMI Gaskets with our compact PCI. Leader Tech also offers quick-turn...

Surge generator.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... The PIM 150 damped oscillatory surge generator is THE choice of protective relay and substation electronics manufacturers, test labs, and power utilities across North America testing to ANSI C37.90.1-2002 and IEC 61000-4-12. Integrated...

Used equipment auctions.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... Online auctions and classified ads for test equipment at LabX. * 100,000 + Items For Sale * 255 Categories Including: Oscilloscopes Power Supplies Signal Generators Spectrum Analyzers And everything test... ...

EMI shielding system.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... Premier[TM], an EMI shielding PC/ABS polymer system, provides an 85-dB solution with 6-sigma molding performance. Premier's nickel-plated carbon fibers provide electrical conductivity and paramagnetic performance delivering higher shielding...

Safety compliance analyzer.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... The OMNIA[R] 8100 Series is the most complete electrical safety compliance analyzer available today. OMNIA is available in three separate models providing 4-in-1, 5-in-1, and 6-in-1 electrical safety testing and so advanced that it holds eight...

Adhesives and sealants.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... Master Bond Inc., Hackensack, NJ, manufactures more than 3,000 grades of adhesives, sealants, and coatings. Line consists of epoxies, anaerobics, cyanoacrylates, silicones, and acrylics. One- and two-part systems are available. Master Bond...

Noise suppression components.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
December 1, 2004... Okaya manufactures noise suppression components including EMI/RFI AC Powerline Filters with TVSS protection; 250/275VAC noise suppression capacitors for across-the-line, line-bypass, antenna coupling applications; spark quenching R-C networks...