September 2013 Product Picks

Mixed-Signal Oscilloscopes

The MSO/DPO70000DX Series performance oscilloscopes feature models with 23-GHz, 25-GHz, and 33-GHz bandwidths as well as enhanced tools for debugging digital and analog circuits. The new MSO70000DX instruments provide 80-ps timing resolution on the 16 digital channels to produce accurate feedback on logic or protocol performance for serial buses like USB, I2C, and SPI in real time while performing analog validation of high-speed DDR memory on the four high-bandwidth channels. The new 33-GHz P7600 Series TriMode probe gives engineers a single probe setup for differential, single-ended, and common-mode measurements. Tektronix

Data Acquisition Software

DAQami out-of-the-box software allows users of the company’s DAQ hardware to acquire, view, and log data quickly and easily. DAQami can acquire sensor data in volts and degrees as well as custom units with linear scaling. Channels can be viewed on any combination of scalar, strip, and block displays. Once data is acquired and logged, DAQami can be used to review the saved data file. The fully tested, prerelease version is available as a free download. Measurement Computing

LCR Meter

The E4980AL precision LCR meter offers three cost-effective frequency options: 300 kHz, 500 kHz, and 1 MHz. The options are follow-ons to the company’s E4980A LCR meter. The Agilent LCR meter is mainly used for component characterization by device manufacturers and for component evaluation at electronic equipment manufacturers. It also is used in material measurement applications typically found in research and development as well as education. From $4,132 to $8,264. Agilent Technologies

DAQ/Embedded Control Platform

The DNF-4-1G FLATRACK is a highly integrated, low-profile DAQ I/O engine that accommodates a growing need for greater system programmability, functional versatility, and scalable deployments. The DNF-4-1G FLATRACK provides two Gigabit Ethernet (100/10 Base-T compatible) interfaces and four front-loading I/O slots. More than 50 compatible I/O boards can be installed and easily interchanged for blended I/O architectures. The FLATRACK accommodates up to 100 analog inputs, 128 analog outputs, 192 digital I/O bits, 48 ARINC-429 channels, a MIL-STD-1553 serial bus, and 32 RS-232/422/485 ports. Users can easily design, configure, test, and blend I/O channels to suit any sensor or interface requirement. From $2,700. United Electronic Industries

Mixed-Signal Scope Updates

A number of enhancements have been introduced to the DLM4000 Series eight-channel mixed-signal oscilloscope. The eight channels on the original instrument could be allocated as eight analog channels or seven analog channels plus one 8-bit digital input. The new L16 option adds 16 more channels of logic to give seven channels of analog, plus 24-bit digital input, allowing a more detailed analysis of embedded electronics and serial-bus based systems.

Upgraded firmware on the G4 option for power measurements gives the DLM4000 power capabilities in line with the vendor’s family of precision power analyzers. On the F1 to F6 options for serial-bus testing, new firmware doubles the number of buses that can be simultaneously tested. The DLM4000 Series is composed of two models with bandwidths of 350 MHz and 500 MHz and a sampling rate of 1.25 GS/s, expandable to 2.5 GS/s with interleaving. Yokogawa Test and Measurement

USB Analog Output Modules

The DT9853 and DT9854 four- and eight-channel analog output modules now provide continuous waveform streaming. These DAC modules allow up to 8-kHz waveforms to be supplied for industrial testing, control-loop, and process-control applications. The DT9853 and DT9854 offer 0 to 10 V and ±10 V voltage outputs and 0 to 20 mA for current drive outputs to reduce line drop errors. The modules include 16-bit output DACs, have 16 lines of digital I/O, and support one 32-bit counter timer at 1-MHz to measure events. Prices range from $605 for a four-channel voltage-output model to $815 for an eight-channel current-output version. Data Translation

Semiconductor Test System

The J750Ex-HD test system delivers production-test-cost reductions with new capabilities tailored for testing consumer SoC applications, including digital wafer sort and final test of microcontrollers, image sensors, and mobile connectivity devices. The J750Ex-HD includes system enhancements and new high-density (HD) instruments, which can be used with more than 4,000 J750 and IP750 installed test systems to seamlessly run new and existing test programs. Shipments of the new HD instruments and J750Ex-HD systems began in the second quarter of 2013. Teradyne

Torque Transducers

The T40B and T40FM torque transducers include an integrated speed measurement system. They are specifically designed to work in harsh conditions such as humidity, condensation, dust, oil, and grease, which typically restrict the use of a traditional optical speed measurement system. The T40B and T40FM take measurements based on the contactless sensing of an anisotropic magnetoresistive sensor, making the transducer signal more robust and stable than that of an optical system. The transducer integrates both the magnetic technology and the speed measurement sensor, which saves space and makes installation easier. HBM

Function Generator Line

Three new direct digital synthesis (DDS) sweep function generator models produce stable and precise sine, square, and triangle waveforms and provide output voltages from 0 to 10 Vpp into 50 Ω or 20 Vpp into open circuit. The 4014B adds a new 12-MHz function generator with sweep and AM/FM modulation functions to the vendor’s DDS generator line; the 4040B and 4045B directly replace previous 20-MHz models 4040DDS and 4045. The 4045B includes a 12-bit, 50-MS/s, 1k-point arbitrary waveform capability. These new models are suitable for use in education and training as well as other applications requiring low-cost sweep function generators with modulation or arbitrary waveform capabilities. 4014B: $475; 4040B: $550; 4045B: $750. B&K Precision

Carrier Aggregation Support

The CS8 Mobile Device Tester now includes support for carrier-aggregation testing. The CS8 helps ensure LTE-Advanced (3GPP Release 10) carrier-aggregation functionality meets the performance expectations of operators who plan to deploy the technology. CS8’s direct access to the LTE protocol stack offers a high degree of flexibility and configurability in carrier aggregation testing across all protocol layers from PHY/MAC to RRC and RRM. Additionally, CS8 supports all LTE frequency bands in a single box with multiple bandwidth combinations. Spirent Communications

Remote Tools Software

The Wireless Remote Tools software for the vendor’s touch-screen PIM Master, Site Master, Spectrum Master, and VNA Master handheld instruments enables field technicians and engineers to remotely view screens and control the field instruments using a Windows-based laptop, PC, or tablet, simplifying the deployment, installation, and maintenance of 2G/3G/4G wireless networks. The software is free and makes conducting field measurements of PIM and S-parameters easier and more efficient. Operators, for example, can remain on the ground and use a Site Master cable and antenna analyzer to conduct sweeps on jumpers at the top of the tower. Anritsu

Static Charge Detector

The Model ECD-12 is an inexpensive aid for detecting and notifying users when an electrical charge of sufficient intensity is introduced into a monitored area. The unit’s simple design eliminates the potential for the introduction of operator error in setup or use. A green LED indicates the unit is active. Audible and visual alarms are activated when an electrical charge that exceeds the device threshold becomes present. The device can help assure compliance to guidelines established by the ESD Association Standard S20.20: Protection of Electrical and Electronic Parts, Assemblies and Equipment. From $199. Static Cop

Broadcast Test Center

The new R&S BTC broadcast test center provides a complete testing environment for audio, video, and multimedia applications in a single device. The RF reference signal generator generates RF signals for all global TV and broadcasting standards and simulates transmissions. The generator also can internally analyze the audio/video functions of DUTs in real time. The modular design provides a high degree of scalability, allowing the R&S BTC to be configured for any customer requirement.

The R&S BTC reference signal generator enables users to perform complete end-to-end tests over all open systems interconnection levels. DUTs also can be integrated into fully automated test sequences. This generator handles today’s and tomorrow’s transmission standards. Video and audio streams can be generated, played back, fed externally, and output in modulated form. It combines signal generation, DUT embedding, and video/audio analysis while simultaneously determining the picture failure point. Rohde & Schwarz