Products

CMC has launched its second-generation EmulationEngine for wireless LAN test. The product handles 802.11a, b, and g, variations and provides control of up to 64 concurrent Virtual Stations for capacity and load testing of a wireless LAN (WLAN). Data can be generated internally or come from a third-party load generator. The external source connects to the emulator over Ethernet and then is mapped to the Virtual Stations by IP address. Price: $6500. Communication Machinery Corp., Santa Barbara, CA. 805-879-1521; http://www.cmc.com .

Housed on a PCI board and packed with applications for IP media monitoring, the Empirix Hammer XP targets users of protocol analyzers who need media monitoring. Its XP filtering application looks to the system like a NIC card but is capable of extracting all the VoIP signaling packets from a Gigabit link. It can handle 1.4M packets/s and automatically discover as many as 30,000 RTP streams. It will display quality metrics such as packet loss, jitter, and voice quality on a per-stream or aggregate basis. The board is a standard NDIS device and comes with drivers for Windows and UNIX. Empirix, Waltham, MA. 781-993-8500; http://www.empirix.com .

Anritsu has introduced the MS2687B spectrum analyzer for handling wideband signals such as W-CDMA and OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing). The analyzer has a frequency range up to 30 GHz with a resolution bandwidth as low as 20 MHz. The instrument's bandwidth and low phase noise (less than –136 dBm/Hz) provide highly accurate burst power measurements over a wide dynamic range. The device uses a 64-MHz A/D and an advanced DSP to allow analysis in both frequency and time domains, displaying multiple waveforms and allowing superposition for comparison. Price: $36,400. Delivery: 6–8 weeks. Anritsu, Richardson, TX. 972-644-1777; http://www.anritsu.com .

Agilent Technologies has introduced frequency coverage to 110 GHz for its PNA Series microwave vector network analyzers. The N5250A PNA provides frequency coverage from 10 MHz to 110 GHz in a single sweep with measurement at 200 µs/point. It has two built-in sources, 32 measurement channels, 64 traces, and can acquire 16,000 points per channel. The unit can connect to the Cascade Microtech Summit analytical probe station for on-wafer measurements. In addition to introducing the latest model, Agilent has given lower-frequency models in the series the ability to perform pulsed-RF and antenna measurements. Base price: $366,331. Agilent Technologies, Palo Alto, CA. 800-452-4844; http://www.agilent.com .

Sunrise Telecom has added an Ethernet module to its SunSet Modular Test Toolkit. The handheld device provides multi-layer diagnostics, allowing users to handle physical, service, and network layers with a single instrument. The Ethernet module provides such tests as wire-speed traffic generation for throughput testing, physical layer testing, and one-button acceptance testing. Dual receivers and a through mode allow monitoring of service levels using live customer traffic. The modular nature of the toolkit allows it to be configured for a variety of technologies. In addition to the Ethernet module for metro networks, available modules include T1, ISDN, ATM, ADSL, and voice frequency (VF) units. Sunrise Telecom, San Jose, CA. 408-363-8000; http://www.sunrisetelecom.com .

International Rectifier has introduced a microelectronic relay that handles frequencies as high as 450 MHz. The high bandwidth helps ATE equipment use higher test-signal frequencies, decreasing test time and improving throughput. It also improves general instrumentation applications involving high-frequency, low-voltage signals. The PVY116 can replace dry or Mercury-wetted reed relays in many applications and comes in a four-pin SOP with gull-wing terminals for surface mounting. The single-pole, normally open relay delivers bounce-free operation, reducing wear to give it a lifetime 1000x that of reed relays. Base price: $2.40 each (50,000). International Rectifier, El Segundo, CA. 310-252-7726; http://www.irf.com .

National Semiconductor has developed a System Test Access evaluation kit for handling multi-card backplane systems using the IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) standard. The kit is a customizable system that allows designers to analyze and simulate backplane test architectures without a need to create dedicated hardware. It is composed of a backplane with three slots and several daughtercards and works with other IEEE 1149.1 technologies, such as FPGAs with configuration access. The kit also supports IEEE 1149.4 (analog) test and IEEE 1532 for in-system programming. Price: $1500. National Semiconductor, Santa Clara, CA. 800-272-9959; http://www.national.com .

The DigiTest EDGE platform provides a combination of physical layer and performance test for DSL, ATM, IP, and HTTP networks, automating the provisioning and maintenance process for DSL service providers. The device works by seizing the line under test and completing a sequence of connection tests, then analyzing failures to diagnose the source and location of the trouble. Optimized to support multiple independent DSLM/DLCs within a site, the unit offers multiple test access points and an integrated four-point terminal server. The unit helps decrease call center handling time and dispatch costs, handling local loop, DSLAM serving networks, and data networks for the service provider. Tollgrade Communications, Pittsburgh, PA. 412-820-1671; http://www.tollgrade.com .

Racal Instruments now provides a 10/100 Ethernet interface for its Flagship switching systems. The interface allows computers to control the switching system without needing GPIB, making them suitable for remote ATE installations. The Model 1256 switch can be configured for RF, microwave, and high-current (13-A) switching, and Model 1257 offers up to 240 channels. Racal Instruments, Irvine, CA. 800-722-2528; http://www.racalinstruments.com .

The R3681 is a hybrid measuring device that integrates the capabilities of spectrum and modulation analyzers with vector signal and arbitrary waveform generators. It has available software that allows it to perform OFDM analysis according to several WLAN standards and can be adapted to handle proprietary schemes. It has an average noise level of –156 dBm/Hz and 26 dBm typical 3rd-order intermodulation distortion, giving it a dynamic range of 142 dBm. Base price: $68,900. Delivery: 6 weeks. Advantest America Measuring Solutions, Edison, NJ. 732-346-2609; http://www.advantest.com .

Tektronix has announced a protocol test platform with application software that handles 3G and existing second-generation mobile networks. The K15 platform can help identify and analyze the source of quality of service degradation under varying traffic conditions. It provides a real-time multi-interface call trace and automatic Iub configuration for UMTS networks. Tektronix, Beaverton, OR. http://www.tektronix.com .