February 28, 2008

Accelerate and simplify serial data testing
Serial data streams continue to increase in speed while error specifications tighten, which makes testing for jitter tolerance and bit-error rate (BER) ever more important. Several engineers have tackled the problem in different ways. Read More

OFCNFOEC 2008: On to 100G
From listening to the talk at OFCNFOEC 2008, it's clear that the fiber pipelines, once partially dark, now illuminate around the world. People are now talking about the next big step in core-network technology:
100-Gbps Ethernet. Read More

Sometimes, a voltmeter is all you need
Two days before Christmas, our two-year-old DVD player refused to play. Venturing into holiday traffic to purchase a replacement didn't appeal to me. Surely, my collection of test equipment could see me through the repair process? Read More

PCs change quickly; test setups don't
Personal computers have changed drastically since engineers started using them to control instruments. Read More

Flying tests
Engineers at Hawker Beechcraft have developed data-acquisition systems that flight-test engineers use to evaluate design changes. 
Read More

40th anniversary of HP calculator
This makes me feel old. As Steve Leibson reports, "This year marks the 40th anniversary of HP’s entry into the calculator market." Read More

Mixed-signals with fast updates
Agilent Technologies MSO/DSO 7000 series moves the company into the tall and shallow oscilloscope field. Dubbed "InfiniiVision," the oscilloscopes can update their screens at up to 100,000 times a second.
Read More

Module simulates RTDs
Pickering Interfaces has released the 40-262, an 18-channel variable-resistor 3U PXI module designed to simulate PT100 and PT1000 RTDs. Read More

B&K Precision touts multi-range DC power supply
The Model 9110 DC power supply automatically recalculates the voltage/current limits for each setting and provides 100 W of output
power in any voltage/current combination within its rated limits of 60 V and 5 A. Read More

Last chance to take a February challenge
Friday the 29th is the deadline for taking the February Oscilloscope Challenge.

Question: Which statement about active and passive probes is most accurate?
Prize: TomTom ONE GPS
Sponsor: Yokogawa

Take the Oscilloscope Challenge

Feburary issue looks at handling, yield improvement
Our February cover story explains how one provider of mixed-signal ICs employs innovative test-handling techniques to ensure the quality of the devices that it sells into communications, industrial, medical, and automotive markets. Another feature discusses how a combination of DFT and ATE tools can drive yield improvement. Read the issue today

Industry calendar of events
Upcoming events include Measurement Science Conference (March), APEX (April), and SAE World Congress (April). For more information about these and other test-related events, visit our online calendar.