EE-Evaluation Engineering articles from September 2008

EE-Evaluation Engineering archives from September 2008

Women in Engineering.(EDITORIAL)(Editorial)
September 1, 2008... The headline would seem to indicate that there are quite a few women who are practicing engineers in the electronics industry. But you know that isn't so. More correctly, the headline should read, "The Lack of Women in Engineering." Very few...

Test set performs high-speed radio-layer measurements.(PRODUCT BRIEFING)(Anritsu)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The MT8860C WLAN Test Set combines the capabilities of a power meter, a spectrum analyzer, and a vector signal generator to perform measurements per IEEE 802. 11-2007. It features the network mode, which uses standard WLAN protocol messaging to...

High-Precision Power Meters offered in compact housing.(PRODUCT BRIEFING)(Boonton Electronics Corp.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The 4540 Series Power Meters capture, display, and analyze RF signals in the time and statistical domains and sustain a range of technologies including RADAR, GSM, EDGE, CDMA, EvDo, UMTS, WiFi, WiMax, LTE, CATV, OFDM, and MiMO. The 4541...

Switching platform stores up to 128 configurations.(PRODUCT BRIEFING)(VXI Technology Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The high-density EX72SF Microwave Switching Platform addresses applications that need maximum performance, flexible design options, and an operating range to 20 GHz, 26.5 GHz, or 40 GHz. Configuration options include self-termination of unused...

Compact shock chamber includes hot/cold zone.(PRODUCT BRIEFING)(Cincinnati Sub-Zero Products Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The VTS-1 is a compact thermal shock, two-zone, air-to-air chamber consisting of a hot/cold zone. The chamber offers 1 cu.ft. of interior workspace and operates on 208-V/230-V one-or three-phase power. The company's EZT-560i controller manages...

Small-footprint analyzer makes 4 million measurements/second.(PRODUCT BRIEFING)(Brilliant Instruments)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The B1200 Time Interval Analyzer delivers 4 million time-interval measurements/s with input signal frequency of up to 2 GHz or 4 Gb/s (without prescaling) and a 150-ps minimum pulse width. The single-slot PCIe instrument-on-a-card consumes only...

Memory interface supports speeds up to 1.6 Gb/s.(PRODUCT BRIEFING)(Virage Logic Corp.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The Intelli [TM] DDR product portfolio now includes Intelli DDR3, a memory interface solution that supports speeds up to 1.6 Gb/s and incorporates a DRAM memory controller, digital PHY, DLL, and I/O. It provides a System Aware IP [TM] solution...

Waveform creation tool features object-oriented GUI.(PRODUCT BRIEFING)(Keithley Instruments Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Version 2.0 of the SignalMeister [TM] Waveform Creation Software features a new object-oriented graphical user interface (GUI) and a click-and-drag objects-based approach for creating signals in accordance with WiMAX and WLAN wireless...

Data acquisition addresses multifaceted applications.(DATA ACQUISITION)
September 1, 2008... Nobody buys test instrumentation because it's trendy--cars and clothing, yes, but not data acquisition systems. These products are bought to solve problems. They help you understand how equipment under test (EUT) is operating by presenting...

Using ATE for efficient DigRF interface testing.(DigRF TEST)
September 1, 2008... Although the term DigRF may lead to initial impressions of a digital signal somehow integrated into an RF signal path, this is not the case. DigRF is a published standard that describes a digital interface between baseband and RFIC chips. ...

Zeroing in on component reliability.(COMPONENT RELIABILITY)
September 1, 2008... On any given day, a certain percentage of the plastic-encapsulated components passing through an assembly line is defective in some way. The defect is less likely to be a chip-level electrical flaw that would already have been caught by testing...

Be (time) aware.(from the editor)(Editorial)
September 1, 2008... Here's a pop quiz: In a few words, explain the key differences between LXI Class A, B, and C instruments. Unless you're working as an LXI developer or have extensive experience using LXI instruments, chances are you'll struggle with this...

Are LXI and Ethernet-enabled instruments the same?(LXIconsortium)(Column)
September 1, 2008... During a recent customer visit, I was asked about the differences between LXI and Ethernet-enabled instruments. Why LXI? Since LXI is a standard built on other standards, including 802.3 LAN, what do LXI instruments offer beyond simple...

The killer Bs are coming.(class Binstruments)(LXI)
September 1, 2008... Undoubtedly, there are many compelling reasons for working with Class C LXI instruments. But the real excitement in the industry today comes with Class A and B instruments, particularly with the time-aware nature due to the implementation of...

The need for conformance testing.(conformance testing)(LXI Corp.)
September 1, 2008... LXI as a standard continues to support the latest technical developments in LAN products and techniques. This is particularly evident in the adoption of the newest, most convenient discovery mechanisms. However, changing standards present...

Event Detectors.(Class C Instruments)
September 1, 2008... The EM405-8X106/7 Event Detectors are 64- and 128-channel input modules that sample and selectively store up to 128 bits of data along with a 31-bit time tag at rates to 5 MS/s. Inputs are conditioned through programmable threshold circuitry...

Crosspoint Matrix Units.(Class C Instruments)
September 1, 2008... The 2A Model 60-550/551 Crosspoint Matrix Units with as many as 4,096 relays can be supplied in a variety of one-pole matrix configurations from 128 x 8 to 512 x 8. The 60-550 switches voltages up to 220 VDC or 250 VAC. The unit is packaged in...

Temperature-Measurement Instrument.(Class C Instruments)
September 1, 2008... The TEMPpoint Temperature-Measurement Instrument offers 48 separate channels with 24-bit resolution, each with its own CJC for accuracy of [+ or -]0.01% and a per-channel A/D for constant throughput across all inputs at rates to 10 Hz/channel....

10 boundary scan tips optimize test coverage.(BOUNDARY SCAN)
September 1, 2008... To ensure customers receive high-quality products, engineers must consider testing strategies before they even think about a schematic diagram. These days, most engineers realize boundary scan techniques described in IEEE 1149.1 aptly meet a...

A good time for MEMS-based oscillators.(MEMS)(microelectro-mechanical systems )
September 1, 2008... Today, microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS)-based oscillators are merely nudging the traditional crystal oscillator market. Significant design wins will occur soon if the MEMS companies are right, but commercial quantities of the first...

LXI/PXI/VXI Buyers Guide.(Buyers guide)
September 1, 2008... EE's LXI/PXI/VXI Buyers Guide is a comprehensive, up-to-date listing of the companies that specialize in LXI/PXI/VXI products and services, including arbitrary waveform generators, embedded controllers, power supplies, mainframes, switches and...

Company guide.(LXI/PXI/VXI BUYERS GUIDE)(Directory)
September 1, 2008... ADLINK Technology CA 800-966-5200 www.adlinktech.com Advanced Power Designs CA 949-600-6400 www.vxibus.com Advint OH 614-863-2433 www.advint.com Aeroflex NY 800-843-1553 www.aeroflex.com ...

Conducted emissions testing: a MIL-STD-461F tutorial.(FROM AN EMC ENGINEER'S NOTEBOOK)
September 1, 2008... Cables--the nemesis of compliance, the antennas no one wants--often are the culprits or unwanted stepchildren in EMC testing. Controlling conducted emissions is an inherent problem that requires planning in the design phase. Selecting the...

Snap-On Gaskets.(EMC PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2008... The V Series Variable Finger Snap-On BeCu Gaskets offer shielding effectiveness up to 100-dB attenuation. By reducing the number of full snap-on fingers on a strip, shielding effectiveness is increased because there are fewer gaps to close....

Base-Station Amplifier.(EMC PRODUCTS)
September 1, 2008... The Model KAW4040M 13 Base-Station Amplifier, available in 100-W and 500-W versions, supports complex waveforms in base-station applications. The 100-W model, designed to run 24/7/365, operates from 225 MHz to 400 MHz. A tracking filter can be...

Field Probes.(ETS-Lindgren)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Two new versions for E-field measurements from 10 kHz to 1 GHz have been added to the LaserPro [TM] Field Probes: the laser-powered Model HI-6122 and the battery-powered Model HI-6022 with rechargeable NiMH batteries. Features include...

Antennas for field testing.(AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... The AT4418 and AT4403 are compact, lightweight antennas for RFI/EMI field testing. The AT4418 covers the 1-to 18-GHz frequency range and handles 300-W CW input power. It provides minimum gain of 7-dB over isotropic. The AT4403 spans the 200-MHz...

DC Power Entry Module.(Schurter Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... A snap-in version has been added to the Series 5003 DC Power Entry Module for 48-V telecom and other DC-powered equipment. The new DC module features the AMP Universal MATE-N-LOK and Molex HCS-125 connector styles. The connectors are encased...