EE-Evaluation Engineering articles from February 2007

EE-Evaluation Engineering archives from February 2007

I can live with the beeps.(EDITORIAL)
February 1, 2007... Knowing what pace I am running and how many miles I have traveled are the major reasons I wear a wrist-mounted GPS receiver. I have worn the device during most of my Saturday morning training runs and in quite a few marathons to help me stay...

Multifunction modules and chassis increase bandwidth.(Product Briefing)
February 1, 2007... The U2300A Series Modular Multifunction Data Acquisition Devices offer increased bandwidth for multiple I/O operations, and the U2700A Series Modular Instrument Chassis provides necessary connectivity. The U2300As work either as stand-alone or...

Controller performs JTAG and emulation testing.(Product Briefing)
February 1, 2007... The PCI-based ScanWorks[R] PCI-200EJ Controller supports boundary scan test and onboard programming operations as well as microprocessor functional emulation testing. Developed in collaboration with strategic partner International Test...

Single-Output power supply offers GPIB interface.(Product Briefing)
February 1, 2007... The 9123 Single-Output Programmable Power Supply features a built-in RS-232 and GPIB interface with SCPI language compatibility and 10-mV and 1-mA display resolution. The benchtop unit also has a programmable output of 0 to 30 V and 0 to 5 A...

CW power meters handle multiple sensors.(Product Briefing)
February 1, 2007... The 52012 and 52018 are entry-level, USB-controlled CW power meters that offer a frequency range from 10.0 MHz to 12.4 or 18.5 GHz and allow accurate power measurements from -50 dBm to +20 dBm. The VSWR is [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The...

Solution addresses design predictability crisis.(Product Briefing)
February 1, 2007... The Cadence[R] Logic Design Team Solution enables logic design teams to implement RTL block and chip-level designs without destabilizing an existing design and verification process. The solution incorporates design, early verification, and...

Portable Spectrum Analyzers deliver fast sweep speeds.(Product Briefing)
February 1, 2007... The MS2724B, MS2721B, and MS2723B are the first Spectrum Master[TM] Spectrum Analyzers to feature a quasi-peak detector and CISPR bandwidths for EMC precompliance testing. All three have a standard built-in AM/FM/SSB demodulator and a built-in...

Dual-channel scope has 1-GS/s sampling rate.(Product Briefing)
February 1, 2007... The USB-based PicoScope 5204 is a dual-channel PC oscilloscope with a bandwidth of 250 MHz, a memory depth of 128 million samples, and a real-time sampling rate of 1 GS/s. It offers an equivalent-time sampling mode that boosts the sampling rate...

Safety tester features built-in scanner.(Product Briefing)
February 1, 2007... The Hybrid 2000 AC/DC/IR/DCR Safety Analyzer performs high-voltage AC, DC, and IR testing and DCR measurements. It comes standard with a built-in eight-channel high-voltage scanner and stores and recalls 50 20-step test setups. All functions...

Testing challenges of a multicore microprocessor.(DESIGN FOR TEST)
February 1, 2007... The Cell Broadband Engine is an advanced multicore microprocessor optimized for compute-intensive workloads and various broadband media applications including computer entertainment, movies, and other forms of digital content. Testing the...

Big can be beautiful.(MANAGER'S FORUM)(Company overview)
February 1, 2007... As outlined in a Manager's Forum article a few months ago, small companies may offer certain advantages over larger ones, such as ease of internal communications, the capability to focus the entire company on a single initiative, and an...

6 1/2 digits is quite a handful.(DMMs)
February 1, 2007... Volts, amps, and ohms haven't changed a lot in the last few years, but that hasn't held back advances in the instruments that measure them. Traditional benchtop digital multimeters (DMMs) now have dual and graphical displays, more types of...

Improving throughput and accuracy with membrane probes.(WAFER TEST)
February 1, 2007... The continuing advances in semiconductor functionality, density, and chip-level integration are generating new challenges in accessing devices for test and controlling the physical and electrical characteristics of the test contact interfaces....

WiMAX in the last several miles.(WIRELESS TEST)
February 1, 2007... Worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) deployment is underway. The new wireless system promises wide bandwidths and relatively long-distance communications at low cost. This combination of desirable features has attracted a...

PC-Based test Buyers Guide.(Directory)
February 1, 2007... EE's PC-Based Test Buyers Guide is a comprehensive, up-to-date listing of the companies that offer PC-based test products. The guide is arranged in two sections. First is a product/company cross-reference. The second section is an...

Tracking pedestrians with machine vision.(AUTOMATED OPTICAL INSPECTION)
February 1, 2007... Machine vision systems have been used for years to automate processes. Applications can range from checking the amount of fluid in bottles on production lines to inspecting the number and alignment of pins on a microchip or detecting flaws in...

TPC and DFS as cognitive radio techniques.(WIRELESS TEST)
February 1, 2007... Using cognitive-type radio features to help share frequency bands between various services is gaining popularity in the United States. Two of these features are transmitter power control (TPC) and dynamic frequency selection (DFS). The...

Array Test Option.(ATE)
February 1, 2007... The N9201A Array Structure Parametric Test Option is available for the company's 4070 Series Testers. With the option, the testers support up to 40 source/monitor units (SMU) for fast characterization of in-line array test structures. The...

Programmable DC Load.(ATE)
February 1, 2007... The Model 8510 600-W Programmable DC Electronic Load operates from 0 to 120 VDC at currents from 1 mA to 120 A. The instrument is protected against over-current, over-voltage, overpower, and over-temperature conditions; features constant...

Wide-range Network Analyzer.(COMMUNICATIONS TEST)
February 1, 2007... The E5071C ENA Series of two- or four-port RF Network Analyzers with 9-kHz to 8.5-GHz bandwidth has a 123-dB dynamic range and trace noise of 0.004-dBrms at 70 kHz IFBW and measures 1,601 points in as little as 39 ms. Features include built-in...

CDMA Power Amplifier.(COMMUNICATIONS TEST)
February 1, 2007... The Model CMS1040 Power Amplifier is rated at 20-W output, has a nominal 54-dB gain, and is intended for CDMA applications. The solid-state amplifier module meets FCC digital modulation specifications and is unconditionally stable and protected...

Production boundary scan interface.(SOFTWARE)
February 1, 2007... RunnerClick[TM] and Express RunnerClick[TM] are two production-based JTAG test execution packages with a simplistic graphical user interface that supports JTAG testing by nontechnical users. The tools provide direct username and serial number...

Simultaneous sampling cards.(DATA ACQUISITION)
February 1, 2007... The PCI Express DAQe-2010 and DAQe-2016 Data Acquisition Cards have 2-MS/s and 800-kS/s sampling rates, respectively, with four-channel, simultaneous sampling and support for multiple card synchronization. In addition to analog and digital...

Multiple-Output PCI Card.(DATA ACQUISITION)
February 1, 2007... The PCI-1727U Analog Output PCI Card features 12 simultaneously updated output channels with 14-b resolution and [+ or -]10-V and 0- to 20-mA drive capability. In addition, 16 TTL Dl and 16 TTL DO channels are included. The PCI-1727U is...

JTAG Technologies/SPEA system combines ICT and boundary scan.(NEWS'n NOTES)
February 1, 2007... SPEA S.p.A., an ATE designer and manufacturer, and JTAG Technologies, a provider of boundary scan software and hardware products and services, have integrated their test methods within the SPEA 3030 In-Circuit Test System. The 3030 features...

Teseq is new name of Schaffner test systems.(NEWS'n NOTES)
February 1, 2007... Teseq now is the name of the test systems division that previously belonged to the Schaffner Group. In late 2006, Teseq became an independent company bought by a group of investors headed by Johannes Schmid, the division's former manager. ...

Autotestcon.(NEWS'n NOTES)
February 1, 2007... The deadline is Feb. 15 for submitting abstracts for technical papers to be presented at AUTOTESTCON 2007, the annual conference for the military/aerospace automatic test industry. This year, a two-stage review process will be implemented....

FormFactor joins STC.(NEWS'n NOTES)
February 1, 2007... FormFactor, a producer of wafer sort, burn-in, and device performance testing products, recently joined the Semiconductor Test Consortium. The STC was founded in 2003 to develop OPENSTAR[R] Ecosystem, a common test architecture that is open,...

Virginia engineer wins Readers' Choice prize.(NEWS'n NOTES)
February 1, 2007... Frank Knight, a project engineer at Northrop Grumman in Newport, VA, won the Apple iPod[TM] MP3 Player for participating in EE's 2006 Readers' Choice Awards. He was selected from the many readers who voted for the test and evaluation products...

Sypris Test & Measurement adds RF-related capabilities.(NEWS'n NOTES)
February 1, 2007... Sypris Test & Measurement has added antenna, isotropic/electromagnetic field probe, line impedance stabilization network calibrations, and RF screen room/anechoic chamber certification to its suite of calibration service offerings. The company...

New Handbook focuses on LXI standard and technology.(NEWS'n NOTES)
February 1, 2007... VXI Technology has introduced the LXI Capabilities Handbook coinciding with the release of LXI Version 1.1. Key attributes of the Ethernet-based LXI standard are summarized to increase user understanding and awareness of the specification...

Pressure strain and force.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... Omega's 8th Edition Pressure, Strain, and Force Handbook[TM] contains >1,200 pages of products for measurement, display, and control of pressure, differential pressure, barometric pressure, absolute pressure, and vacuum, including...

Electrostatic discharge Gun.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... 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...

Data acquisition.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... United Electronic Industries' (UEI) free catalog describes its Ethernet-based Data Acquisition, Data Logger/Recorder, and Embedded Controller product lines including 10 new products. The catalog also covers the company's PCI and PXI bus data...

Test and measurement.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... Keithley's 2007 Product Catalog contains more than 400 pages of state-of-the-art products and tips on how to: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Choose the most effective solution for your application. * Increase productivity and lower your...

Discrete Semiconductor testers.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... Starting under $23,000.00, S.T.I. 5000 Series Discrete Semiconductor Test Systems are loaded with features. All 5000 Series testers have the capability to test a wide range of devices including arrays. Ranges of 1.0 NA to 50 A, and 1 KV are...

EMI/RFI shielding.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... Just updated 52-page shielding catalog includes new conductive foam gaskets and metalized fabric profiles plus all standard and custom shielding products. Includes to-scale technical drawings for all BeCu finger stock. Also pictured and...

Power subsystems.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... PowerHinge[TM] 5- to 30-kVA power subsystems include isolation transformers, filtering, surge suppression, voltage conversion, rectification, and DC regulation integrated into a COTS rack-mount package. Each subsystem offers a power bus...

Engineering services.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... At 50% of your usual cost, Crystal [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Instruments specialized in: Instrumentation Product Development Software Development System Integration Industrial Design Plastic Molding Sheet Metal...

RF test enclosures and Shielding Tents.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... * Economical, portable RF test enclosures for initial compliance testing, sized from aluminum benchtop to room-sized metallic-fabric enclosures that fit in a carrying bag. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Shielding Tents with external frame,...

Measurement and automation.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... Free 2007 catalog features product information, comparison charts, key specifications, information on: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * LabVIEW 8.20 20th Anniversary Edition Graphical System Design Software * Isolated M Series, PXI...

Microwave absorbers.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... Capcon provides the industry with proven solutions for EMI/RFI/microwave problems. Our microwave absorbers, in flexible sheet and tubular form, are very effective in high-frequency applications. Our line of products includes EMI/RFI/microwave...

EMI shielding products.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... Technit's catalog offers a complete line of EMI shielding products, including wire mesh, metal fibers and screens, conductive elastomers, shielding windows, vent panels, conductive adhesives, low closure-force gaskets such as beryllium copper....

Asian and European EMC test services.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
February 1, 2007... Elite Electronic Engineering is your North American resource for EMC and environmental testing of automotive electronic systems and whole vehicles. Our extensive experience includes Asian and European automotive test specifications: Toyota...