EE-Evaluation Engineering articles from November 2004

EE-Evaluation Engineering archives from November 2004

The best and the brightest.(EDITORIAL)
November 1, 2004... Chip designers continually are pushing ever upward the speed envelope that embodies today's complex, high-frequency devices. ICs operating in the multigigahertz realm can be found in a host of products from commercial to consumer including...

Racal Instruments acquired by EADS North America.(In The News)
November 1, 2004... Racal Instruments Group, a leader in the development, production, and integration of systems and instruments to test electronics, aerospace, and defense systems, has been acquired by EADS North America. Upon completion of the transaction, Racal...

Agilent and VXI Technology develop LXI platform.(In The News)
November 1, 2004... Agilent Technologies and VXI Technology have introduced LXI, a next-generation LAN-based modular platform standard for automated test systems. LXI (LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation) combines built-in measurement capabilities and PC-standard...

Boundary scan seminars.(Dates)
November 1, 2004... JTAG Technologies will present its series of IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan seminars in several cities this month. The seminars cover introductory information on boundary scan, how it can be applied effectively in board and system testing and...

ESD audit training.(Dates)
November 1, 2004... The ESD Association will host a presentation on Nov. 17 through WebEx for individuals who want to learn how to develop an ESD program that meets the criteria of ANSI/ESD S20.20. Ron Gibson, chairman of the ESD Association Standards Committee...

HALT/HASS.(Dates)
November 1, 2004... Hobbs Engineering will hold four HALT/HASS-related seminars during December and January. Mastering HALT and HASS will be Dec. 6-7 in Denver and Jan. 25-26 in San Diego. The HALT and HASS Workshop is scheduled for Dec. 8 in Denver. Reliability...

PCI DMMs feature 7 1/2-digit displays.(Product Briefing)
November 1, 2004... Two new 7 1/2-digit digital multimeters, the SM2060 and the SM2064, are multifunctional plug-in units. The SM2060 is a general-purpose PCI DMM with a 24,000,000-count range that provides 1,400 readings/s. It features several enhancements such...

Scope-probe combination provides 13-GHz measurements.(Product Briefing)
November 1, 2004... The Infiniium DSO80000 Series Oscilloscopes and the InfiniiMax II Series Probing Measurement Systems include 10-, 12-, and 13-GHz versions with a maximum sample rate of 40 GS/s. The high-speed oscilloscope and probing-system package provides...

Analyzers perform on-the-fly processing.(Product Briefing)
November 1, 2004... The AC240 and AC210 are 6U CompactPCI analyzers that capture synchronous dual- and single-channel data and perform real-time signal processing at rates up to 2 GS/s. Both analyzer platforms host a reconfigurable onboard data processing unit...

PXI instruments offer 200-MS/s sampling rate.(Product Briefing)
November 1, 2004... The dual-channel NI PXI-5124 12-b Digitizer and the NI PXI-5422 16-b Arbitrary Waveform Generator are 200-MS/s modular instruments with mixed-signal measurement capabilities and memory depth to 512 MB per channel. The new modules are based on...

Enhanced software includes fault dictionary.(Product Briefing)
November 1, 2004... ATEasy 5.0, the newest version of the company's test development software, offers an enhanced test executive designed for touch-screen applications, users-based and groups-based privileges and customization, and a fault dictionary. It also has...

Flexible waveform generation accomplishes safe braking: PC-based analog output cards play a major role in stopping the wheels on today's high-speed trains.(PC-BASED TEST)
November 1, 2004... Just as the antilock braking system (ABS) has become a critical safety feature in automotive vehicles, it perhaps is even more important in railway systems where locked wheels can result in extensive damage to both the train and the tracks. ...

Selecting one or more from N: the best switching system provides an output indistinguishable from the input.(SWITCHING SYSTEMS)
November 1, 2004... Samuel Morse probably isn't the first name you think of in relation to relay-based switching systems. In fact, his shouldn't be the first name you think of even when Morse code is the subject. It appears that his associate, Alfred Vail,...

The future of high-speed ATE: nanometer SOC device manufacturing requires flexible at-speed functional testing.(HIGH-SPEED ATE)(Cover Story)
November 1, 2004... The semiconductor industry gradually is transitioning to nanometer manufacturing processes. With this technology comes one big benefit: An increased transistor count is almost free. On the other hand, CMOS processing has changed dramatically,...

Why revisit a solved problem? To manage test economics effectively, seek the lowest cost solution for each board that enters the test department.(MANAGER'S FORUM)
November 1, 2004... As a newcomer to the circuit-board test industry, I've found it's exciting to be at the center of new device and packaging technologies that stuff more and more functionality into less and less space. Test managers have a major challenge:...

LAN wiring does double duty: adopting PoE will end your AC wall-plug dependency.(POWER OVER ETHERNET)
November 1, 2004... Why not distribute power for Ethernet devices via LAN wiring? What a great idea. In fact, Cisco and Lucent are among the companies that have been offering Ethernet equipment with a PoE capability for several years. However, these proprietary...

Looking into noise-figure measurement uncertainty: with today's applications requiring lower and lower noise-figure amplifiers, noise-source uncertainty becomes a bigger and bigger concern.(SIGNAL SOURCES)
November 1, 2004... Microwave modeling software has enabled extremely low noise-figure (NF) amplifiers to become commonplace. There was a time when low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) below 0.7 dB were found only on specialized, expensive systems such as MRI machines or...

Software for EMC: part 2; An industry expert discusses the characteristics and capabilities of several EMC test software packages on the market today.(EMC TEST SOFTWARE)
November 1, 2004... Part 1 in the October issue of EE focused on the history of EMC equipment and control software, listing what tests the software must perform and pointing out the capabilities and features of each type. The list included the need to control a...

ESD Buyers Guide.
November 1, 2004... EE's 25th annual ESD Buyers Guide is a comprehensive, up-to-date listing of the companies that offer products or services to control or measure electrostatic discharges in the work environment. The guide is arranged in two sections. First is a...

Functional validation of mixed-signal devices: validation ensures that a part will operate correctly in end-user applications.(DESIGN VALIDATION)
November 1, 2004... Design validation is the task of testing a part or a system adequately to ensure that all parts or systems manufactured will function within specifications in end-user applications and environments. The underlying credo that drives design...

Hand-held OTDR.(COMMUNICATIONS TEST)
November 1, 2004... The compact and lightweight AQ7260 Optical Time-Domain Reflectmeter features a bright 8.4" TFT-LCD color display, a 20-MB internal memory, and multiple USB ports for connectivity and data storage. It samples a maximum of 60,000 points with...

Flexible Test Assemblies.(COMMUNICATIONS TEST)
November 1, 2004... GORE[TM] PHASEFLEX[R] 110-GHz Microwave Test Assemblies offer torque and crush resistance and phase and amplitude stability with flexure over a wide temperature range. The assemblies also are flexible with virtually no springback to facilitate...

Four-port Network Analyzer.(COMMUNICATIONS TEST)
November 1, 2004... The ZVB Vector Network Analyzer is available as a two-port or four-port model with up to 4 GHz or 8 GHz bandwidth for universal measurements on multiports and balanced DUTs. The 44 cm X 23 cm X 35 cm instrument weighs [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

Automotive engineering card.(PC TEST)
November 1, 2004... The 3015 PXI I/O Card addresses the simulation of fault conditions on digital outputs in automotive engineering applications. The PXI and application sections remain electrically isolated from each other, so it is possible to execute simulation...

Matrix Relay Card.(PC TEST)
November 1, 2004... The 0000-6624 Matrix Relay Card packs a 24-channel X four-bus matrix into a 3U PXI slot for resource-intensive test applications. Three software-controlled modes serve distinct roles in a test configuration: normal, break-before-make, and mux,...

VXI Chassis.(PC TEST)
November 1, 2004... The rugged 11-slot RHP VXI Chassis features plugging cooling modules and RS-485 monitoring in two models: the RHP-1 with one DC power module and rated for 1,460 W and the RHP-2 with two modules and a combined rating of 2.2 kW. The monolithic...

USB-based Measurement Device.(DATA ACQUISITION)
November 1, 2004... The PMD-1208FS Personal Measurement Device for PC-based analog and digital I/O is compatible with USB 1.1 and 2.0 and supported by the Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP operating systems. It provides eight single-ended or four differential analog inputs,...

Front-end system.(DATA ACQUISITION)
November 1, 2004... The portable A Series DiSC6 is a flexible front-end system for online PC data acquisition that also can operate as a recorder using optional tape, disk, or solid-state drives. The architecture features SCSI and FireWire interfaces and...

LCR Meter.(INSTRUMENTATION)
November 1, 2004... The Model Z-8200 LCR Meter offers 100-Hz, 120-Hz, and 1-kHz test frequencies and has a built-in comparator with four-bin sorting capability. It also provides autoranging with data hold and includes open- and short-circuit calibration and a...

Ground bond testers.(INSTRUMENTATION)
November 1, 2004... The Guardian 1050, with current to 45 A, and the Sentry 50 Plus, with current to 30 A, are ground bond testers for automated test or benchtop use. Both models have a four-terminal Kelvin connection with autozeroing, programmable high/low limits...

AC and DC Current Source.(INSTRUMENTATION)
November 1, 2004... The Model 6221 AC and DC Current Source also serves as a current source waveform generator. Pulse widths as short as 5 [micro]s can be programmed, and the instrument supports pulsed I-V measurements. It is fully programmable via front-panel...

Hipot testers.(INSTRUMENTATION)
November 1, 2004... The H111 and H216 are benchtop safety testers for AC and DC withstanding voltage tests up to 6 kV. They test to UL, CSA, and IEC standards. Up to 10 tests/programs each containing up to 16 steps can be stored and initiated. Remote operation is...

DC Power Supplies.(INSTRUMENTATION)
November 1, 2004... The Model VSP6020 Switching DC Power Supply, compatible with most computers via a standard RS-232 serial port, offers up to 1.2 kW in a 19-in. rack-mounted 1U chassis. It has an output of 0 to 60 VDC, 0 to 20 A. Up to nine units can be...

Cable testing.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
November 1, 2004... Cable Test's primer on cable, backplane, connector, and wire testing technologies helps you stay abreast of the latest cable testing techniques including why test wiring, components, and connectors; simplex vs. Kelvin resistance measurement;...

Voltage-current stabilizer.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
November 1, 2004... Kepco's 40-W half-rack BHK-MG is a high-voltage linear voltage-current stabilizer. Outputs range from 0 to 300 V 0 to 600 mA. Features include digital and analog programming control, bench- or rack-mount with front and rear output terminals,...

Used equipment auctions.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
November 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... ...

Horn Antenna.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
November 1, 2004... The AHA-118 Active Horn Antenna has an integrated preamplifier with a 25-dB nominal gain that improves noise performance for EMI emissions testing systems. The preamplifier is connected to antenna using an ng cable. The combination long cable,...

Data Acquisition.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
November 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...

Honeycomb Filter.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
November 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...

Custom EMI filters.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
November 1, 2004... 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...

Adhesives and sealants.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
November 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...

Sourcing and measurement products.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
November 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...

Measurement and automation catalog.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
November 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...

EMI shielding technology.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
November 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...

Antennas and accessories.(LITERATURE MARKETPLACE)
November 1, 2004... A.H. Systems provides EMC antennas, accessories, and calibration services for your global testing. See our new broadband antennas from 25 MHz to 40 GHz. A.H. Systems, 818-998-0223, www.AHSystems.com [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Visit...