Test & Measurement
Speed-to-answer - differentiating instrument design
Industry studies have recently highlighted significant changes in the test market, including shrinking product design cycles (down by 13% over the last three years) and fewer dedicated test engineers with in-depth T&M backgrounds. In fact, one in five electrical engineers now working started his or her career within the last decade. By Jonathan Tucker, Keithley Instruments.
All-in-one transport tester solves network problems
The new MT1000A Network Master Pro from Anritsu is an all-in-one optical network field tester that supports the multiple communications protocols used in today’s converged telecom networks. The tester is portable, compact and user-friendly and it is aimed at technicians who install and maintain mobile-access, fixed-access, metro and core transmission telecoms networks.
Arbitrary/function generators feature intuitive operation
A range of arbitrary/function generators that feature isolated output channels which allows their use in the development of floating circuits in power electronics applications have been launched by Yokogawa. The FG400 Series combines intuitive operation with comprehensive sweep and modulation facilities. The instruments allow the creation of basic, application specific and arbitrary waveforms.
Rapid debug delivers 64-bit ARM server motherboard
ASSET InterTech has collaborated with SoftIron to quickly debug and bring up the industry’s first 64-bit ARM server motherboard based on AppliedMicro’s X-Gene Server on a Chip. SoftIron’s 64-0800 is an ultra-low power, high-performance server motherboard for the enterprise computing and data center market.
AOI import option cuts test program generation time
The AOI systems of GOEPEL electronics now offer an import option for test programs of other system providers. The conversion shortens time for generation of test programs significantly compared to the use of CAD and pick & place data. This process is underpinned by the extensive AOI component library of the systems.
Time stamp feature enhances system performance analysis
Lauterbach has added a new feature to its Trace 32 trace tools that enable recorded program/data flow to be time stamped to allow an overall analysis of the system performance, as well as quality assurance features such as code coverage, cache analysis and timing analysis.
How do you test automated vehicles?
Enabling researchers to test how automated and networked vehicles respond to rare but dangerous traffic events and road conditions, the University of Michigan is building a 32 acre simulated city centre and four-lane highway. Researchers have said that the patent-pending Mobility Transformation Facility is a vital step in making sure these advanced vehicles can operate safely in the real world.
Software update slashes simulation times
NI has released V11.01 of the NI AWR Design Environment with enhancements to Analyst 3D finite element method (FEM) EM simulation engine that cuts simulation times by as much as 70 percent over previous versions. The updates in V11.01, which are specific to Analyst, include algorithm reformulations/enhancements to both automatic mesh refinement (AMR) and fast frequency sweeps.
Software upgrade supports safety-critical applications
Vector Software says that the VectorCAST software test solution now supports the MISRA C: 2012 (MISRA C3) standard. The new benchmark offers improvements to earlier versions, and extends support for the MISRA C: 2012 C99 version of the C language (ISO/IEC 9899:1999). The VectorCAST software test environment is widely deployed in safety-critical applications that utilise the MISRA C standard, and the regulation is the most widely used set of codin...
System on module accelerates embedded system design
The NI SOM (System on Module) combines the Xilinx Zynq All Programmable system on a chip (SoC) with supporting components such as memory on a small PCB and features a complete middleware solution and ready-to-go Linux-based real-time operating system (RTOS) already integrated. It gives design teams the customisability of a SOM without the increased time and risk of developing custom software.