January 17, 2008

Test and measurement giants
Bill & Dave is a must read for anyone associated with Hewlett-Packard or Agilent Technologies. It takes you through the history of the Hewlett-Packard Company, and also gives you insight into how the company's founders thought and acted. Read More

Vote for the Test Product of the Year
Our editors have announced the winners of the 2008 Best in Test Awards. Read about the 12 winners, and then cast your vote for the Test Product of the Year. Voting deadline is February 15.
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Optical power measurements ensure quality bits
Fiber-optic power meters, which test active and passive electro-optic components, are now available in several configurations: stand-alone bench meters, modular systems, and handheld units. Read More

Sensing the needs of test engineers
In a recent interview, David M. Lally of PCB Piezotronics discussed his company's core sensor technology and explained why the company formed an automotive division. Read More

Is SONET fading?
A new report predicts the demise of the synchronous optical network. Read More

LXI plugfest to include open meeting
The LXI Consortium has planned a plugfest and general meeting for February 11-13 in Irvine, CA. An open meeting on February 13 will include presentations entitled "What is LXI and building LXI systems" and "Instrument discovery and system setup." Read More

Microstar puts real-time applications on Windows PC
With DAPstudio software and a DAP board from Microstar Laboratories, each DAP board gives you an additional processor running a real-time operating system that you control from a Windows application anywhere on your network. Read More

PXI and USB modules support MOST bus
Goepel electronic has introduced MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) communication modules for electronic control units (ECUs) in PXI and USB form factors. Read More

Handheld vibration spectrum analyzer works with Windows Mobile
The VSA-1225 vibration spectrum analyzer works with the Windows Mobile/Pocket PC platform. It joins Datastick's line of Palm-based VSAs in enabling companies to use portable vibration analysis in machine-condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, and routine troubleshooting. Read More

January challenges include Environmental Test question
For January, we have added an environmental test question to our challenge line-up. Answer one of our challenge questions correctly, and you could win a prize, courtesy of the contest sponsor.

ENVIRONMENTAL TEST CHALLENGE
During vibration testing, most mechanical failures are blamed on which factor?
Prizes: Two $100 Best Buy gift certificates
Contest sponsor: Cincinnati Sub-Zero

OSCILLOSCOPE CHALLENGE
How can you minimize the effects of probe loading?
Prize: TomTom ONE navigation system
Contest sponsor: Yokogawa

Go to the Challenge page

December/January issue now online
One feature in our December/January issue describes new techniques in failure analysis that enable manufacturers to perform their own imaging and analysis tasks, and another explains how FPGAs can improve machine-vision systems. Read it today.

Industry calendar of events
Upcoming events include OFC/NFOEC (February), Measurement Science Conference (March), and APEX/IPC Printed Circuits Expo (March). For more information about these and other test-related events, visit our online calendar.