News Briefs

Azimuth Systems (Acton, MA) announced it has entered into an agreement with Meetinghouse, a developer of standards-based network authentication software, to include Meetinghouse's AEGIS Authentication API Suite for Windows XP/2000 into Azimuth's WLAN test systems. The Meetinghouse suite will enable component and configuration testing for WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and WPA2—the current and emerging wireless LAN security standards.

In addition, Azimuth announced that Broadcom has adopted Azimuth's W-Series Wireless LAN test platform for use Broadcom's labs. Broadcom employs the W-Series to validate the performance and scalability of its AirForce Wi-Fi silicon.

The W-Series platform performs system-level testing of 802.11 wireless access points, clients, and devices such as Broadcom's Wi-Fi ICs. Using the W-Series, engineers can configure a WLAN network in a benchtop chassis that affords virtual mobility among devices under test. W-Series plug-in modules feature mini-isolation chambers for PC client cards or IC evaluation boards; larger chambers that sit above the modules accommodate products like phones and access points (APs).

Wireless devices placed in the chambers connect to a network of programmable RF attenuators, combiners, and switches that allow for automated emulation of device motion relative to other clients and APs installed in the system. Devices can be "positioned" under software control so test scripts can exercise protocols such as roaming or rate adaptation on command. Device isolation eliminates external interference, confining signal paths to the programmable attenuators. Isolation between any two devices in a test setup exceeds 110 dB to accommodate the wide dynamic range of 802.11. www.azimuthsystems.com.

The IEEE has approved standard 1451.4, which creates a plug-and-play capability for analog transducers used in networks designed for digital instruments and measurement systems." Standard for a Smart Transducer Interface for Sensors and Actuators—Mixed-Mode Communication Protocols and Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) Formats," creates a standard format for the information that digital networks need in order to identify, characterize, interface with, and use signals from analog sensors.

The standard uses EEPROM chips embedded in sensors to store and communicate details needed for plug-and-play capability. A complete TEDS may contain sections for identification and properties for a given type of sensor, such as an accelerometer, strain gage, or thermocouple. The TEDS may also contain a calibration schedule for the sensor.

The IEEE expects that manufacturers will soon be able to obtain identifiers for chips from a special Internet site. For specialized sensor requirements, users can write template description files and publish them on the site. The standard also allows for virtual TEDS files that reside on the Internet for use when embedded memory is unavailable. www.ieee.org.

Carbon Design Systems (Waltham, MA), which specializes in pre-silicon software validation, announced it has integrated its DesignPlayer engine with Virtutech's Simics instruction set simulator (ISS). The integration will enable customers with processor-based designs to execute OS and application-level software on an accurate model of a chip or system. Carbon also announced that Sun Microsystems has employed the DesignPlayer/Simics combination to boot its Solaris OS.

"Booting an operating system on an RTL-accurate model of a design is now possible without a hardware emulator or first silicon," commented Steve Butler, president and CEO of Carbon. "The Virtutech-Carbon combination provides both the speed and accuracy to debug real software on a virtual system."

"For the first time, a design's RTL implementation can replace an ideal model without sacrificing performance," remarked Peter Magnusson, founder and CEO of Virtutech. "Simics can now be used for architecture development, performance modeling, and software validation on the RTL hardware model." www.carbondesignsystems.com.

PCTEST Engineering Lab (Columbia, MD) has purchased a CDMA 1xEvDO tester from Racal Instruments Wireless Solutions (an Aeroflex company; Plainview, NY). The system tests various features of mobile phones and performs the tests necessary for CTIA certification. With the tester, PCTEST will be able to perform tests in accordance with Revision 4 of the CTIA CDMA Certification Program. The 1xEvDO tester supports cdma2000 tests for signaling conformance and position-location minimum performance.

"The purchase of this test system helps us further our reputation as the 'complete wireless lab.' PCTEST is committed to expanding our test coverage for CDMA mobile phones and all future test cases required for CTIA Certification," said Andrea Zaworski, PCTEST's CATL/SAR/EMC manager, in a prepared statement. www.aeroflex.com.

The editors of Test & Measurement World are inviting test engineers to participate in a new quiz on our Web site. The "World's Smartest Test Engineer" contest gives participants an opportunity to win an MP3 player and also to be entered into a contest for a $1000 cash prize.

The monthly quiz begins September 1 and runs until April 2005. On the first business day of each month, our technical editors will post a new quiz question on the site. Participants will have until the 22nd of each month to submit an answer. From the respondents who correctly answer each month's question, we will randomly select one person to receive an MP3 player, valued at $300 and provided by the contest sponsor, Agilent Technologies. (You may win only one MP3 player during the contest.)

In May 2005, we will invite the eight monthly winners to answer another quiz question and compete for a $1000 cash prize and the title of "World's Smartest Test Engineer." Check out the first question—and the complete contest rules—at www.tmworld.com/quiz.

Mexitronica, October 19–21, Guadalajara., Mexico. An event for Mexico's electronics manufacturing community. Sponsored by CANIETI and ROC Exhibitions. www.mexitronica.com.

NEPCON Texas 2004 with the Assembly Texas Pavilion, October 20–21, Dallas. A comprehensive electronics manufacturing show, including final assembly. Sponsored by Reed Exhibitions. www.nepcontexas.com.

International Test Conference (ITC), October 26–28, Charlotte, NC. A conference dedicated to the electronics test of devices, boards, and systems. Sponsored by IEEE. www.itctestweek.org.

Electronica 2004, November 9–12, Munich, Germany. A trade show for assemblies and components in electronics. Sponsored by Munich Trade Fairs. www.munichtradefairs.com.

Measurement Science Conference, January 17–21, Anaheim, CA. Designed to promote education and professionalism in measurement science and related disciplines. Sponsored by The Measurement Science Conference. www.msc-conf.com.

Optical Fiber Communication (OFC) Conference & Exposition and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (NFOEC), March 6–11, 2005, Anaheim, CA. The colocated OFC/NFOEC 2005 will provide attendees and exhibiting companies with a comprehensive view of optical technology—-both in terms of research breakthroughs and commercial products and services. Sponsored by Optical Society of America, IEEE, Telcordia, and IOOC. www.nfoec.org.

To learn about other conferences, courses, and calls for papers, visit www.tmworld.com/events.