Best in Test Finalists: General-purpose instruments (non-oscilloscopes)
-- Test & Measurement World, 12/22/2008 2:00:00 AM
→ 287 True-rms Electronics Logging Multimeter, Fluke
→ 86108A Precision Waveform Analyzer, Agilent Technologies
→ DPP12500A-4T 12.5 Gbps 4 Tap Digital Pre-emphasis Processor, Synthesys Research
→ NSG 3060 Immunity Pulse Testing System, Teseq
→ Precision Resistor Module Family, Pickering Interfaces
→ U1253A Handheld Digital Multimeter with OLED Display, Agilent Technologies
287 True-rms Electronics Logging Multimeter
Fluke
www.fluke.com
The Fluke 287 True-rms Electronics Logging Multimeter with TrendCapture enables users to characterize the performance of a design and see trend information directly on the meter’s display, without downloading readings to a PC. You can also use the meter’s logging capabilities for unattended monitoring.
Outfitted with a large 50,000-count, 1/4 VGA display with a white backlight, the Fluke 287 can simultaneously display multiple sets of measurement information. Onboard logging memory stores up to 10,000 readings and allows multiple sessions to be logged without downloading.
To perform accurate measurements on complex signals or non-linear loads, the Fluke 287 provides true RMS voltage and current functionality, with AC bandwidth specified to 100 kHz. The meter has a 0.025% basic DC accuracy, has a 50-mF capacitance range, and is capable of measuring up to 10 A (or 20 A for 30 s).
Other features include context-sensitive help screens for measurement functions, a multilingual interface, and multiple save options with automatic time stamping for recalling measurements made in the field.
US list price for the Fluke 287 Electronics Logging Multimeter is $499.95
86108A Precision Waveform Analyzer
Agilent Technologies
www.agilent.com
By uniting several measurement building blocks, the 86108A precision waveform analyzer achieves greater accuracy when measuring high-speed digital communications signals. The instrument combines two ETS (equivalent-time scope) measurement channels, a precision time base, clock recovery, and phase-error monitoring into a single module. This system:
• eliminates the need for two inputs. By combining clock recovery with scope channels, the instrument lets you probe a signal with one input, just like a real-time scope;
• eliminates the use of a separate spectrum analyzer. By monitoring the phase error of its clock recovery portion, the 86108A can measure phase noise and jitter transfer function directly;
• allows an ETS to measure spread-spectrum clocks. Problems associated with ETS use, such as the inherent delay between triggers and samples, are mitigated with the 86108A because it includes precision time-base hardware, which re-times the samples of the data based on samples of the clock; and
• enables a 3X improvement in jitter noise. When the clock and data samples are combined on the same hardware and share a timing signal, the 86108A can accurately re-time the data.
The 86108A plug-in analyzer module is used with the 86100C DCA-J wide-bandwidth oscilloscope. Prices start at $85,000 for the 86108A analyzer and $19,000 for the 86100C DCA-J oscilloscope.
DPP12500A-4T 12.5 Gbps 4 Tap Digital Pre-emphasis Processor
Synthesys Research
www.bertscope.com
The DPP 12500A-4T digital pre-emphasis processor provides programmable four-tap pre-emphasis from 1-Gbps to 12.5-Gbps for compliance testing to standards such as PCI Express Generation 2 and 3, SATA, DisplayPort, USB 3.0, and 10GBase-KR. Using the DPP 12500A-4T, you can apply calibrated pre-emphasis equalization to a test pattern to emulate the transmitter function required for receiver testing.
Previously, pre-emphasis processors supported only two taps, which limits resolution and reduces the ability to produce the desired frequency response. Newer standards, such as 10GBase-KR (Backplane Ethernet), require the use of three-tap filter topologies. The DPP 12500A-4T supports current standards and beyond.
A key benefit of the DPP 12500A-4T is the ease with which you can adjust the precise characteristics of the pre-emphasis signal being applied to the test device. This is achieved through an intuitive control interface that simultaneously shows the step response, tap weightings, and frequency response of the signal.
The DPP 12500A-4T four-tap pre-emphasis processor costs $49,000. A three-tap version is also available.
NSG 3060 Immunity Pulse Testing System
Teseq
www.teseq.com
Thanks to its modular architecture, the NSG 3060 immunity pulse testing system can be configured for basic testing or expanded to meet the needs of sophisticated test laboratories. The system’s master-slave concept allows users to add new pulse generator modules to the original system configuration as test requirements change.
Individual pulse modules are calibrated separately, with each module’s calibration data and correction factors stored on the slave controller. Users can easily install new modules without having to return the system for calibration.
The multifunction NSG 3060 provides a surge voltage of up to 6.6 kV for testing combination waves, ring waves, EFT pulses, bursts, dips and interrupts, and magnetic fields. Its onboard processors satisfy the coupling requirements specified by ANSI C62.41, making the system compatible with both ANSI and IEC coupling methods.
With the 7-in. touch screen, users can set up test procedures, including the creation of multistep tests, the programming of ramp functions, and the changing of sequence or parameter values. In expert mode, you can change critical threshold values using a thumbwheel while a test is running. By using a SD (Secure Digital) memory card reader, you can perform firmware downloads and save test data for future reference.
Prices for the NSG 3060 start at $20,000.
Precision Resistor Module Family
Pickering Interfaces
www.pickeringtest.com
Simulating a resistive strain gauge in functional test can be a difficult task. The change in resistance value caused by applying stress to a strain gauge is extremely small, typically 0.1%, and requires very fine control of the resistance value. Pickering’s 40-265 provides six channels of strain gauge simulation with high accuracy and fine setting resolution in a single-width 3U PXI module.
Each channel of the 40-265 includes a full bridge circuit with resistance control of better than 2 milliohm in one bridge arm, which allows the module to emulate the operation of a strain gauge bridge circuit. The bridge can be excited by a fixed internal supply or by independent external bridge voltage sources, permitting direct connection to strain gauge measuring systems.
The 40-265 is controlled by simple resistance calls to the variable bridge resistor, and each channel has a stored resistance value at which the bridge is balanced. Users can simply set the bridge to the balance point and then offset the bridge using the fine resistance control of the 40-265 to simulate applied strain. Bridge output voltage is provided directly to the user connector.
The 40-265 strain gauge simulator is part of a family of precision programmable resistor modules and costs $3285.
U1253A Handheld Digital Multimeter with OLED Display
Agilent Technologies
www.agilent.com
Agilent says its U1253A handheld DMM is the world’s first to use an OLED (organic LED) display. With the OLED’s fast refresh rate, the U1253A delivers a 2000:1 contrast ratio, a 160-degree viewing angle, smoothed fonts, and a large display to ensure clear indoor viewing. Handheld DMMs that use conventional LCDs offer only a 15:1 contrast ratio and less than a 140-degree viewing angle, according to Agilent.
The U1253A meter’s smoothing function lets you select up to three reading update rates to suit your application. When the smoothing function is set to slow, the readings are stable even when measuring noisy signals. Without this function, the last few digits of the reading may constantly flicker when signals are noisy, and you will not get an accurate reading.
A 50,000-count resolution on both of the meter’s primary and secondary displays makes it possible to achieve highly accurate readings. Plus, defects are quickly detected with basic DCV accuracy of up to 0.025%. In electrical systems test, the true-RMS measurement capability helps to eliminate errors in non-sinusoidal AC signal measurement.
The U1253A costs $449 with a standard three-year warranty, including free datalogging software and test report.
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