Vendors build on Autotest momentum

New products at Autotest

ADLINK Technology highlighted its PXI product line at Autotest and chose the event to announce the release of its new PCIe-PXIe-8638 high-performance remote controller (Figure 1), enabling remote control of any PXIe system directly via PC. Bandwidth up to 4 GB/s is available through PCIe Gen 2 x8 link capability. With the PCIe-PXIe-8638, processor performance is maximized for an industrial PC, server, or workstation, delivering dependable remote control of the PXI/PXIe system with reduced hybrid test application costs.

“In complicated hybrid test systems, a high-performance server or workstation is conventionally deployed as the host PC to control all test equipment simultaneously,” explained Catherine Wu, senior director of ADLINK’s Measurement and Automation Product Segment. “PXI systems often have been used in hybrid systems for data acquisition. The new release of ADLINK’s PCIe-PXIe-8638 means efficient remote control of PXIe systems is available through an existing host PC, with no extra expense required for additional embedded control.”

Pacific Power Source announced at Autotest the release of its latest suite of test routines specifically designed to test AC products for compliance with Department of Defense interface standard MIL-STD-1399-300, “Aircraft Electric Power Characteristics.” This new software option expands the company’s portfolio of defense-related power compliance test options. MIL-STD 1399-300 applies to all shipboard AC power systems. First published in 1978, it has undergone several changes culminating in its current revision B.

Available as an integrated option package running within the Pacific Power Source UPC Studio Windows control program, the Pacific Power Source MIL-STD-1399-300B option supports the latest revision B test sequences for all AC power groups. Power groups include single- and three-phase, fixed 400-Hz frequency, and single- and three-phase 60-Hz power-group test sequences.

As an integral part of the UPC Studio software, the MIL-STD-1399-300B test option is available for both the linear AMX Series AC Power Sources (Figure 2) as well as the Switching ASX Series AC Power Sources. For high-power testing requirements, the 3060-MS Series AC Power source provides the required high-current capability. Herman van Eijkelenburg, director of marketing for Pacific Power Source, said, “This new addition to our defense-related power compliance test offerings allows our customers to get additional use and value from their AC power source investment and saves them a considerable amount of setup and programming time when performing these compliance tests.”

Aeroflex chose Autotest to announce a 26.5-GHz high-frequency extension for the 7700 integrated microwave test system. The 7700 frequency extension increases the coverage from 6 GHz to 26.5 GHz, which will address the growing need for a compact, economical, high-frequency benchtop microwave test system.

“Our customers have consistently requested an extended-frequency version of the 7700 system. This new product capability will provide our customers with the frequency range they requested as well as the same Aeroflex measurement quality they have trusted for more than 15 years,” said Keith Johns, product marketing manager for Aeroflex.

Dan Walsh, marketing manager for Teradyne’s defense and aerospace division, previewed a new addition to the Spectrum series of functional testers in our September issue,1 and indeed at Autotest the company formally introduced the Spectrum HS functional test system, which is designed around Teradyne’s High Speed Subsystem (HSSub). The Spectrum HS is aimed at circuit boards, assemblies, and boxes requiring digital-bus, mixed-signal, or real-time test. Walsh called the HS “…the first Spectrum system centered on PXI-based instrumentation, which is rapidly emerging as a preferred means to address current and future analog and digital functional test requirements.”

 New switching modules

Pickering Interfaces launched four new switching modules at Autotest 2014. These products include a new PXI signal-insertion and monitor matrix and updates to the company’s PXI microwave multiplexers, PXI high-density large matrix BRIC range, and PXI fault-insertion switches.

“Test engineers continue to request more choices, higher density, and additional features in switching,” noted Keith Moore, managing director at Pickering Interfaces. “We consistently invest heavily in R&D to provide the right amount of switching to meet our customers’ needs—we have introduced more than 20 new and updated LXI, PCI, and PXI switching products in the last year alone.”

The new PXI signal-insertion and monitor matrix (40-525A) is a 34 x 4 matrix with both switched and direct connection paths to the X and Y axes. This matrix permits test signals to pass through the switched X axis to the UUT on the direct X connection, the switch allowing each through path to be opened to disconnect the stimulus signal. The direct Y axis to the matrix allows the user to monitor the signals with test equipment, such as an oscilloscope or DMM, the matrix enabling the test equipment to connect to any of the 34 through connections. The switched Y connections can be used to inject alternative test signals into the UUT or to apply faults to the through connection such as shorts to ground or to a supply voltage.

The PXI Large Matrix BRIC Update (40-565B) offers 20% density improvement over previous models. These high-density large matrix modules are able to switch up to 2 A at 200 VDC/140 VAC. These PXI matrix BRIC modules are available in two-, four-, or eight-slot PXI sizes and allow a complete functional ATE system to be housed in a single 3U PXI chassis. Also available on these matrix modules is Pickering’s Built-In-Relay-Self-Test tool, which provides a way of finding relay failures within the BRIC module.

The updated PXI Microwave Multiplexer (40-785B) now features LED indicators to aid in test-system development and debugging. These are single or dual six-channel multiplexers with relays mounted on the front panel. These multiplexers are designed for switching 50-Ω signals up to 40 GHz. The single-slot version can support up to three remotely mounted multiplexers.

And finally, the 40-785B microwave multiplexer range is compatible with any PXI chassis and can be fitted to PXI hybrid slots in a PXIe chassis. It also can be used in Pickering interfaces LXI modular chassis’ for users preferring control via an Ethernet port.

 Emphasizing the PXI platform

On the Autotest exhibit floor, Marvin Test Solutions highlighted its complete product lineup, extending from a semiconductor production test system to a universal flightline test set. Specific products on display included the SmartCan Universal Flightline Test Set, the MTS-207 MIL-SPEC-COTS ruggedized test platform, and the TS-900 semiconductor test system.

A particular focus for Marvin Test Solutions at the show was the company’s PXI-based GENASYS test platform (Figure 3). Mike Dewey, director of marketing, presented a paper on the technology underlying GENASYS, focusing on legacy ATE system requirements with PXI. “Long product life cycles require on-going test support for products produced 10 and even 20 years ago,” he said. “Replacement test systems need to address current and future test needs.”

A modular, industry-standard-architecture PXI-based platform, Dewey said, provides flexibility and performance in a compact footprint, with a wide selection of vendors offering a variety of products. “A PXI-based architecture offers a performance functional test solution for both future and legacy test needs,”
he concluded.

 A tour of the exhibit hall

A walk around the floor showed companies made good on predictions in our September issue regarding what they would exhibit. Yokogawa displayed its ScopeCorder data-acquisition product line as well as its power analyzers, digital oscilloscopes, optical spectrum analyzers, and optical time domain reflectometers. VTI Instruments featured turnkey systems (hardware/software) for mechanical test as well as PXIe and LXI switching products. UEI demonstrated its COTS products in military-standard-compliant connector-based DNR-MIL and DNA-MIL chassis. Astronics presented its T940 Freedom digital test products as well as radio testers, wire-integrity testers, and integrated test systems.

JTAG Technologies showed a JTAG/boundary-scan hardware interface product compatible with the Virginia Panel Corp. (VPC) mass-interconnect system. The JT 2147/VPC is a signal conditioning module that allows ideal-world connections from JTAG Technologies’ PXI and PXIe DataBlasters to the VPC connection system. Based on JTAG’s QuadPod architecture, the JT 2147/VPC has been specifically designed for connection into G20x or G14x 192-pin QuadraPaddle connectors and is compatible with the VPC “pull thru” system.

MAC Panel showed its new high-performance connector, APEX, which addresses customers’ demands for ever increasing signal integrity, reliability, and ruggedness. Dewetron highlighted its data-acquisition instruments that accept inputs from sensors that measure strain, acceleration, temperature, force, and other parameters, with an emphasis on its SYNC CLOCK technology. Diagnosys exhibited its range of PinPoint functional diagnostic and test systems. And In-Phase Technologies featured examples of its single- and multibay ATE systems.

Power supply exhibitors in addition to Pacific Power Source included Kepco with its KLN 750-W series 1U half-rack supplies and TDK-Lambda with its Genesys Series programmable AC/DC sources, which offer up to 2,400 W in a 1U platform.

Bloomy Controls at the Draper Laboratory booth presented its UTS functional test system, which it had used in conjunction with Draper to test MEMS devices. ELMA exhibited its test and development chassis platforms. Wireless Telecom Group displayed relevant products carrying the Boonton, Microlab, and Noisecom brands, such as the Boonton 55 Series wideband USB power sensors.

Huntron, a provider of unpowered circuit-card-assembly diagnostics and a supplier for the USN Gold Disk (2M/MTR) program, showcased its dual-head Access DH Robotic Prober, noncontact automated EME Diagnostics, and the Huntron Tracker power-off diagnostics system.

Focusing on RF/microwave, RADX Technologies demonstrated its LibertyGT 1211B software-defined synthetic instrument—a modular COTS system for real-time RF/microwave and wireless communications stimulus and measurement. It supports applications from DC to 3 GHz or 6 GHz with upgradeability to 26.5 GHz. Giga-tronics presented a line of RF switches and hosted a multivendor AXIe-based radar test system, which included an AXIe-1-based ADC6131 Waveform Digitizer Acquisition and Processing Module from Guzik.

Rohde & Schwarz featured instruments such as the ZVA vector network analyzer and also emphasized legacy upgrades with signal generators and spectrum and network analyzers that understand the existing code written for a legacy test system. Copper Mountain Technologies highlighted its line of USB vector network analyzers and reflectometers. Instruments range from the full-size 19-inch Planar 804/1 VNA, which operates from 100 kHz to 8 GHz, down to the compact Planar R54 and Planar R140 reflectometers. The R140 measures s11 to 14 GHz. Dow-Key Microwave, a maker of products that direct RF energy, showcased its new Reliant Switch and other products including RF coaxial switches operating up to 40 GHz. And Averna highlighted its test solutions for radios and communications devices, flight controls and avionics equipment, and radar.

In addition, Ridgetop Group presented its Expert Troubleshooting & Repair System, which helps isolate faults that are not easily reproducible at the depot. The company also featured its CPT1000 cable power test system and its Sentinel Suite tools, which offer prognostic health management, condition-based maintenance, and integrated vehicle health management.

And finally, although National Instruments did not exhibit at the show, Bill Driver, senior marketing manager, was on hand to discuss his company’s approach to synthetic instruments with an emphasis on software-defined instruments.

Reference

Nelson, R., “Autotest spans legacy replacement to new systems,” EE-Evaluation Engineering, September 2014, pp. 14-20.

For more information

ADLINK Technology
Aeroflex
Astronics Test Systems
Averna
Bloomy Controls
Copper Mountain Technologies
Dewetron
Diagnosys
Dow Key Microwave
ELMA
Giga-tronics
Guzik
Huntron
In-Phase Technologies
JTAG Technologies
Kepco
Keysight Technologies
MAC Panel
Marvin Test Solutions
National Instruments
Pacific Power Source
Pickering Interfaces
RADX Technologies
Ridgetop Group
Rohde & Schwarz
Teradyne
United Electronic Industries
Universal Switching
Virginia Panel
VTI Instruments
Wireless Telecom Group
Yokogawa