January 24, 2008

Software wrapper links Matlab to instruments
Mike Flaherty, an applications engineer at Agilent Technologies, uses Matlab scripts to generate waveforms with an arbitrary waveform generator (AWG). Read More

ZTEC introduces LAN-based oscilloscopes
The new ZT4610 oscilloscopes from ZTEC Instruments are 1U height, half-rack width, rack-mountable instruments designed for ATE, aerospace and defense, and embedded applications. Read More

Excel 2007 has 16 times more rows
The folks at data-acquisition software company JustMeasure report that Microsoft has increased the number of rows in Excel 2007 spreadsheets. Read More

Signal-quality analyzer tests optical receivers
Anritsu's MP1800A signal-quality analyzer combines hardware and software to perform stressed-eye tests on optical receivers. Read More

Rohde & Schwarz releases software for EMI test receivers
The ES-SCAN Windows software is designed for performing electromagnetic interference tests with the company's ESPI3 and ESPI7 test receivers. Read More

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

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

NI introduces USB-controlled RMS RF power meter
The 6-GHz NI USB-5680 power meter features high measurement accuracy and wide dynamic range packaged in a size similar to a typical power head. Read More

RTD thermometer has 48 dedicated ADCs
The DT9872 from Data Translation is a PC-based resistance-temperature detector thermometer that features a dedicated analog-to-digital converter for each channel. 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

Best in Test winners announced in December/January issue
Read our December/January issue to learn about the 12 winners of the 2008 Best in Test awards, and then cast your vote for the Test Product of the Year. Plus, the issue also describes current offerings in optical power meters and links to a comparison chart of available models.
Read it today

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