October 2013 Product Picks

The 16850 Series portable logic analyzers offer fast timing capture with deep memory for quickly debugging digital systems and have both single-ended and differential probing options. With 2.5-GHz, 400-ps-period timing capture across all input channels and up to 128-megasample memory depth, the 16850 Series instruments provide a standard state data rate of 700 Mb/s as well as an upgrade option to 1,400 Mb/s.

Users can choose the desired memory depth, starting with the standard 2-megasample depth along with a variety of choices up to the maximum 128-megasample depth. Both state-speed and memory-depth options can be upgraded after the initial purchase. The analyzers also offer a 1.4-GHz trigger sequencer to track high-speed circuits and define specific conditions to trigger on to trap errors and drive quickly to the root cause of failure. From $13,688. Agilent Technologies

Source-Measure Unit

The Model 2450 SourceMeter source measure unit (SMU) unites the intuitive touch-screen and icon-based control that novice SMU users can appreciate with the versatility that experienced users need to learn faster, work smarter, and invent easier. The Model 2450 builds on the design strengths and high precision of both the Model 2400 SourceMeter SMU (an industry standard since its 1995 introduction) and the newer Series 2600B System SourceMeter SMU line. The Model 2450 combines the functionality of a power supply, a true current source, a 6½-digit multimeter, an electronic load, and a trigger controller in one half-rack instrument and incorporates the capabilities of I-V systems, curve tracers, and semiconductor analyzers. $5,400. Keithley Instruments

Graphical Design Software

NI LabVIEW 2013 offers support for the latest evolution of the NI CompactRIO platform, the NI cRIO-9068 software designed controller, which runs the NI Linux Real-Time operating system. New tools in the 2013 release facilitate management, documentation, and debugging of increasingly complex systems. LabVIEW 2013 also streamlines deployment of large systems through improved web services and NI LabVIEW Application Builder. Features include simplified block diagram comment navigation and organization; updated templates, shipping examples, and online training courses; and access to the LabVIEW Tools Network, a network of third-party add-ons. National Instruments

EMI Receiver

The R&S ESR26 EMI test receiver covers the frequency range from 10 Hz to 26.5 GHz. The instrument performs conducted or radiated certification measurements in line with commercial standards such as EN, CISPR, and FCC as well as military standards. The North American FCC standard and the CISPR standard both specify EMI measurements up to 18 GHz.

Thanks to its broadband architecture, the R&S ESR26 conducts standard-compliant disturbance measurements up to 6,000 times faster than other testers, according to the company. The instrument offers a persistence mode that allows users to clearly differentiate between pulse and continuous disturbances. It displays the probability of amplitudes occurring at specific frequencies using different colors, making it possible to detect disturbances that are hidden by broadband signals. Rohde & Schwarz

Digital Radio Test Set

The 3920B digital radio test set addresses analog AM and FM as well as digital P25, P25 Phase II, DMR, NXDN, dPMR, TETRA, and TEDS technologies. The 3920B features a new low-phase-noise RF signal generator in addition to the functionality available on the vendor’s 3900 Series radio test sets. The 3920B is the direct replacement for all versions of the 3900 Series.

The RF signal generator has SSB phase noise specified at -110 dBc/Hz at 10-kHz offset. The capability of the 3920B to achieve such low-phase-noise specifications close to the carrier makes the 3920B suitable for digital narrowband or analog receiver testing where narrowband phase noise is critical. Aeroflex

Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generators

The 4050 Series function/arbitrary waveform generators can create waveforms up to 50 MHz for use in education and applications requiring stable and precise sine, square, triangle, and pulse waveforms with modulation and arbitrary-waveform capabilities. All models are dual-channel, providing a main output voltage that can be varied from 0 to 10 Vpp into 50 Ω and a secondary output that can be varied from 0 to 3 Vpp into 50 Ω. B&K Precision

Vector Network Analyzer

The MS4640B Series of the VectorStar family of vector network analyzers (VNAs) supports a number of new measurement options, including PulseView, which provides pulse profile, point-in-pulse, and pulse-to-pulse measurements of S-parameters, and DifferentialView for true-differential mode stimulus S-parameter measurements. With these features, the MS4640B helps engineers address the challenges associated with testing and characterizing components and subsystems designed for radar and today’s high-speed serial applications.

VectorStar VNAs are available in frequency ranges from 70 kHz to 20, 40, 50, and 70 GHz and as broadband systems from 70 kHz to 125 GHz. VectorStar also can provide frequency coverage up to 750 GHz with mm-wave modules from either Virginia Diodes or OML. From $76,325. Anritsu