March reports address switching systems, multistandard radios

Articles from our March issue are now online, including special reports on switch systems and multistandard-radio test. The report on switching covers several significant themes relate to today’s switch modules used for test applications, including the relative absence of MEMS-based solutions, which are not ready for prime time in many applications areas. The report includes a handy comparison chart.

The report on multistandard radio test addresses the complexities engineers must contend with as individual devices and systems incorporate multiple RF standards addressing cellular, WLAN, geopositioning, Bluetooth, and other wireless applications. The report is accompanied by an online-exclusive article that details the increasing importance of design and test links in multi-radio applications.

In other articles from our March issue, I describe how software vendors are offering simulation, modeling, and real-time-testing tools that serve applications ranging from electric motor control to software-defined radio (SDR). And Erik Johnson of National Instruments and Andy Brown of Averna discuss how software-designed instrumentation redefines test. They discuss the NI PXIe-5644R Vector Signal Transceiver, which, since the article went to press, has been joined by a companion model, the NI PXIe-5645R.

And in my editorial, I comment on high-speed-design issues raised at DesignCon, held Jan. 28-31 in Santa Clara. And in our “Executive Insight” column, Andy Botka, vice president and division general manager of Agilent Technologies’ Microwave & Component Division, describes how mobile data is a key driver for the test business.

Visit our March table of contents here.

And if you have missed earlier special reports this year, you can catch up here: