Switching System Test Tools
The eBIRST diagnostic test tools, designed specifically for the vendor’s PXI, PCI, or LXI (Ethernet) products, simplify switching system fault finding by quickly testing the system and identifying the faulty relays. Once the relays are identified, the tools then display a graphical representation of the switching system’s PCB assembly, highlighting the relays that need to be replaced. The eBIRST tools achieve this task by measuring the path resistance between different pins on the switching system connector and controlling the path through the system to allow it to test any of the relays in the system. Systems that use separate input and output connections can be tested by use of two eBIRST tools in a master/slave configuration.
The application program, which is free to download from the Pickering Interfaces website, is regularly updated to include support for a growing range of Pickering Interfaces switching products. Pickering Interfaces
Immunity Test System
The NSG 4060 complies with current testing standards including EN 61326-3-1, IEC 61850-3, IEC 60255-22-7, IEC 60533/IEC 60945, IEC 61000-4-16, and IEC 61000-4-19 and meets the new requirements for immunity testing to low-frequency disturbances in the frequency range of 15 Hz to 150 kHz. Suitable for use by manufacturers of smart electrical meters, industrial circuit breakers, and industrial Ethernet and shipboard equipment, the NSG 4060 is a robust system with an intuitive front panel that enables the unit to run fully compliant tests without a PC. It accurately tests low-frequency immunity in common and differential mode.
The NSG 4060 shares the same chassis and user interface as the NSG 4070 RF conducted immunity system, featuring a 5.7-inch color display and hard keys for important functions. A user manual with extensive set-up diagrams and instructions is included with each unit. Teseq
Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer
The compact RTSA7500 real-time spectrum analyzer analyzes wireless signals in real time. The RTSA7500 has the standard features of a sophisticated, expensive benchtop spectrum analyzer but at lower cost since it uses the display and processing power of an attached PC. Frequency controls, marker functions for tracking specific frequencies, and multitrace functionality are all included as well as real-time triggering for measuring complex data signals such as Wi-Fi and LTE. FPGA-based digital signal processing within the RTSA7500 enables the capture of elusive time-varying signals across an instantaneous bandwidth of up to 100 MHz.
The instrument is manufactured by Berkeley Nucleonics. Saelig
DAQ Controller
A new CompactDAQ eight-slot controller expands the CompactDAQ controller offering to meet high-channel-count applications in rugged environments. By integrating the processor, signal conditioning, and I/O into a single CompactDAQ system, engineers can decrease overall system cost and complexity while increasing measurement accuracy. Integrated measurement systems reduce the number of components, connections, and wiring needed, which often introduce noise and additional costs, to ensure high-accuracy measurements and cost-optimized systems.
Both the four-slot and eight-slot CompactDAQ controllers feature an Intel Atom dual-core processor that can run either Windows Embedded 7 or NI Linux Real-Time. By pairing industry-standard OS options with LabVIEW system design software, customers can easily port LabVIEW code from existing measurement systems to these new CompactDAQ controllers. They can combine LabVIEW and more than 60 sensor-specific I/O modules for CompactDAQ to quickly customize data acquisition systems to meet their application needs. National Instruments
Sound and Vibration System
VIBbox is a complete portable system with 64 IEPE input channels, eight stimulus D/A channels, four tachometer channels, and a plethora of digital I/O, counter/timer, and measure-counter channels. Being a parallel measurement system, VIBbox features simultaneous measurement from all channels. IEPE inputs from sensors such as microphones and accelerometers that have a large dynamic range can be connected directly and executed at a very fast throughput of 105.4 kHz. Common applications include audio, acoustic, and vibration testing.
VIBbox operates using the ready-to-measure QuickDAQ application with the Advanced FFT Analysis Option as a standard. The easy-to-use QuickDAQ application acquires data, analyzes the data, records the data to disk, and displays and plots the results. VIBbox is available at $24,995. Data Translation
LCR Meter Options
Three low-frequency options for the E4982A LCR meter enable RF inductor, coil, and EMI filter manufacturers to perform impedance testing at various frequencies. Today’s smartphones and other electronic equipment often utilize components such as inductors and EMI filters. Ensuring these passive components operate as expected in the real world requires impedance testing during production as well as during quality assurance.
The options cover the 1-MHz to 300-MHz (Opt. 030), 500-MHz (Opt. 050), and 1-GHz (Opt. 100) frequency ranges. These new frequency range options complement the E4982A’s existing 3-GHz measurement capability (Opt. 300). Frequency upgrade options also are available.
The low-frequency options’ base prices are as follows: E4982A-030, 1 MHz to 300 MHz—$16,012; E4982A-050, 1 MHz to 500 MHz—$18,801; and E4982A-100, 1 MHz to 1 GHz—$27,375. Keysight Technologies
Source-Measure Unit
A new addition to the GS820 source-measure units, all of which feature isolated two-channel source and measurement functions, is able to source up to 50 V and 0.6 A DC. The SMUs offer four-quadrant operation consisting of current source and current sink operation. On the 50-V model, voltage ranges are 200 mV, 2 V, 20 V, and 50 V. Current ranges are selectable from 200 nA to 1 A.
Applications for these source-measure units include tests for LED lighting and the generation of I/V curve traces for LEDs and varistors. The basic price for the new 50-V two-channel Model GS820 is $9,490. Yokogawa Corp. of America
USB 3.1 Test Suite
The QPHY-USB3.1-Tx-Rx package performs automated USB 3.1 transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx) compliance testing, characterization, and debug, creating a comprehensive USB 3.1 test suite. With the new test package, USB 3.1 testing can be conducted on both Gen1 (5 Gb/s) and Gen2 (10 Gb/s) devices under test according to the latest USB 3.1 specifications. Tx testing is performed using a high-bandwidth 16-GHz oscilloscope while Rx testing uses the Protocol Enabled Receiver and Transmitter Tolerance Tester (PeRT3). The new QPHY-USB3.1-Tx-Rx software leverages the QualiPHY automated test framework, which provides connection diagrams, automated oscilloscope operation, and report generation.
QPHY-USB3.1-Tx-Rx is available for $8,000. Oscilloscopes capable of testing USB 3.1 start at $158,900, and a PeRT3 capable of testing USB 3.1 starts at $182,000. Teledyne LeCroy
40-GHz RF SOI Switch
The UltraCMOS PE42524 RF SOI (silicon-on-insulator) switch operates up to 40 GHz, significantly extending the vendor’s high-frequency portfolio into frequencies previously dominated by gallium arsenide (GaAs) technology. As an alternative to GaAs-based solutions, the PE42524 features high reliability and performance advantages in linearity, isolation, settling time, and ESD protection. These attributes make the switch suitable for test and measurement, microwave-backhaul, radar, and military communications devices. Peregrine Semiconductor