EE – August 2018 Product Picks

16-bit self-contained digitizers

This vendor has launched standalone versions of its ultrahigh precision, PCIe digitizer card. The new DN2.59x digitizerNETBOX Series has 16-bit ADC technology to deliver 256 times more resolution than the usual 8-bit technology. The series includes 4-, 8-, and 16-channel models and a choice of sampling rates up to 125 MS/s on each channel, providing a range of configurations to meet customers’ needs in automated-test, communications, science, ultrasound, and other demanding applications. Controlling and accessing the data collected by the digitizerNETBOX is done by connecting it with Ethernet to a host computer (or anywhere on the corporate network). The platform is fully LXI-compliant (following Core 2011 Specifications) and offers an IVI-compatible interface for the IVI Scope and Digitizer classes. Users can write their own control program using almost any popular language, including C++, VB.NET, C#, J#, Delphi, Java, and Python code. Alternatively, they can simply run the vendor’s own software, SBench 6 Professional, which comes standard with the products. The DN2.59x Series products also provide software-selectable single-ended and differential input modes. Each channel has its own ADC and an independent amplifier. The amplifiers have selectable input impedance (50 Ω and 1 MΩ) and calibrated gain with ranges from ±200 mV to ±10 V full scale. Variable gain allows input signals to be scaled so that they cover the full dynamic range of the ADC and therefore maintain the best possible measurement accuracy. The units include an array of smart triggering capabilities and acquisition modes. Transient capture, multiple (burst) recording, gated sampling, ABA sampling, and data-streaming (FIFO) modes are all supported. Prices for the DN2.59x Series digitizerNETBOX products start at $9,300 and come with a 5-year product warranty. Spectrum Instrumentation

Choke-flange feed-horn antenna assembly

Model SAH-2434231060-358-S1-280-DP is a dual-polarized, WR-28 choke-flange feed-horn antenna assembly that covers several popular 5G bands in the frequency range of 24 to 42 GHz. The antenna features an integrated orthomode transducer (OMT) that provides high port isolation and cross-polarization cancellation and a broadband scalar horn that provides low sidelobe levels. The OMT enables the antenna to separate a circular or elliptical polarized waveform into two linear, orthogonal waveforms or vice versa. The dual polarized horn also supports either vertical or horizontal polarized waveguide forms with more than 30-dB cross-polarization rejections. At center frequency, the horn antenna exhibits 10-dBi nominal gain and a typical half-power beamwidth of 60 degrees. It also exhibits a -25-dB E-plane sidelobe level for and a -35 dB-H-plane sidelobe level. The antenna exhibits 35-dB typical port isolation between the horizontal and vertical ports. The horizontal and vertical ports are WR-28 waveguides with UG-599/U flanges and 4-40 threaded holes. Sage Millimeter

Digital oscilloscope series

With 10-GS/s sample rate and up to 500-M record length, the 7000 Series digital oscilloscope can deliver 20X oversampling on a 500-MHz signal, providing enhanced signal resolution while still capturing a full 50 ms of data. The core of the 7000 Series oscilloscope is the new UltraVision II architecture and the Phoenix chipset. Two custom ASICs enhance analog front-end and signal-processing performance. These chips are surrounded by a high-performance hardware design including Xilinx Zync-7000 SoC, dual-core Arm-9 processors, Linux +Qt operating system, high-speed DDR system memory, and QDRII display memory. This architecture enables a high waveform capture rate of 600,000 waveforms per second, color-graded intensity display, and enhanced time-base accuracy and jitter performance. The 7000 Series comes with a next-generation user interface giving the customers five unique ways to interact with their instrument. A 10.1-in. (1,024 x 600) display supports a responsive and intuitive touch navigation. Customers requiring a larger display can take advantage of the native HDMI support to drive large displays and control the instrument with a mouse. The DS7000 scope also supports a touch-enabled browser capability so you can control the instrument on your network via a tablet or smartphone. Traditional knobs, buttons, and soft keys are still available for those who choose to work with a traditional UI. Lastly, the UltraScope remote-control and display software will let users interface with the unit directly from their PC. An oscilloscope, logic analyzer, protocol analyzer, waveform generator, digital voltmeter, and counter/totalizer are all integrated into the 7000 Series. Tools include zone triggering, 41 precision measurements, multiple high-resolution color FFTs, and standard histogram and pass/fail analysis. RIGOL

Coaxial RF surge and lightning protectors

45 new coaxial lightning and surge protectors are designed to be used in Wi-Fi networks, active antenna systems, cellular networks, GPS systems, and public-safety communications systems. These new high-performance RF coax surge protectors feature VSWR as low as 1.1:1, max power as high as 2 kW, multi-strike capability, and low insertion loss, and they are available with Type-N , 4.3-10, and 7/16 DIN connectors. Furthermore, these new models are CE- and RoHS-compliant and support frequency ranges from DC to 6 GHz. The new coaxial surge and lightning protectors are in stock and available for same day shipment with no minimum order quantities. Fairview Microwave

Touch-pad software

A new 2D Touch Surface library enables designers to easily implement touch pads using this company’s 8-bit PIC and AVR microcontrollers (MCUs) and 32-bit SAM MCUs. Available free with the purchase of any compatible MCU, the library provides a simplified, low-cost solution for embedded applications. Suitable for implementing small touch pads and screens, the 2D Touch Surface library reduces costs by running on a device’s existing MCU. This removes the need for a dedicated touch controller, giving product designers the flexibility to add finger position tracking and gesture detection, such as swipes, pinch, and zoom, to products. The touch library is provided through the company’s code configurators: MPLAB Code Configurator (MCC) for PIC MCUs and Atmel START for AVR and SAM MCUs. Both software tools enable simplified graphical configuration and accelerate development with lean C code tailored for individual project needs. Intuitive, attractive user interfaces are central to the success of products, and the 2D Touch Surface library eliminates the need to integrate a costly operating system to fulfill consumers’ smartphone-like interface expectations. The library is suited for adding touch to a variety of applications across consumer electronics, automotive, and industrial applications, such as smart speakers, steering wheels, or thermostats. The 2D Touch Surface library is available free with the purchase of any compatible MCU. The DM080101 Water Tolerant Touch Surface development kit is available now for $23. Microchip

High-torque rotary voice coil actuators

The Model TWR-015-346-2RC rotary voice coil actuator is designed to allow for a low moving mass (68 grams per coil) and inertia, as well as dual independent coils to allow for two independent motion profiles or for coupling the coils together to double the torque output. This rotary voice coil actuator can generate a continuous torque of 1.29 N-m and a peak torque of 3.88 N-m at a duty cycle of 10% (that is, one second on, and nine seconds off) in each coil on a 102-mm rotation arm. By coupling the coils together, the continuous torque doubles to 2.58 N-m with a peak torque of 7.75 N-m at a 10% duty cycle. The voice coil motor requires 1.33 A of continuous current per coil and 4.0 A of peak current per coil to generate the specified forces. The actuator fits in an envelope of 111.1 mm x 75.9 mm x 41.5 mm. The moving-coil design ensures a hysteresis-free movement as the coil is wet-wound and self-supported, and the noncommutated coil allows for ripple-free motion and no cogging. The voice-coil actuator has been designed with mounting provisions in the magnet and coil assemblies. This allows for the integration of a bearing system to maintain the clearances between the coil and permanent magnetic field assemblies.H2W Technologies