March 11, 2008

Nonsignaling technique improves RF test
Many wireless devices now combine GSM, WCDMA, Bluetooth, WLAN, GPS, and FM technologies while also operating at the high data rates required for mobile Internet. And because customers demand that mobile radio service be available on any continent, many devices also operate in multifrequency bands and support multimode operation. Read More

Nomadic products put power sources to the test
Cellphones and other wireless communications devices can be difficult to test because of the dynamic requirements they place on their batteries. As a result, the power sources that substitute for batteries during test and evaluation need features that often aren't available in general-purpose supplies. Read More

RF book's new edition adds EDA tools, skips test
In RF Circuit Design, 2nd ed., John Blyler and Cheryl Ajluni have updated Chris Bowick's 1982 edition to accommodate changes that have occurred over the last 26 years. Read More

Where switching meets instrumentation
In a recent interview, John Regazzi of Giga-tronics discussed trends in microwave test and switching applications. Read More

Calibrated radio
When a customer needed to reduce the test and calibration time for radio transmitter/receiver cards, Averna built eight production testers that shortened the process from several hours to 20 min. Read More

Ground tests confirm satellite communications for battlefield
Northrup Grumman recently verified the compatibility of the advanced extremely high-frequency (EHF) military communications satellite with user ground terminals. The system ensures that troops engaged in battle will have a reliable communications network. Read More

Anritsu analyzers test HSDPA HDR, W-CDMA Band XI
Two new options from Anritsu bring HSDPA High Data Rate (HDR) and W-CDMA Band XI test capabilities to the MT8820B and MT8815B radio communication analyzers. Read More

Ethernet Alliance forms SFP+/EDC subcommittee
The Small Form Factor Pluggable Module/Electronic Dispersion Compensation subcommittee has been formed to promote 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) by providing information on the new SFP+ form factor and associated EDC host ICs. Read More

ASE Test selects V93000 Port Scale RF
Verigy announced that ASE Test has purchased the Verigy Port Scale RF for testing its customers' highly integrated wireless communications devices. Read More

Challenge yourself: How do you eliminate ringing?
Our latest Oscilloscope Challenge is now live.

Question: What is the quickest way to attempt to eliminate ringing on a measured signal?
Prize: TomTom ONE GPS
Sponsor: Yokogawa

Take the Oscilloscope Challenge

March issue now online
For our March cover story, we visited Littelfuse to learn how the company's engineers subject components to excessive current, lightning, ESD, overvoltage, and extreme temperatures. The issue also includes the PXI Test Report. Read it today!

Industry calendar of events
Upcoming events include APEX (April), the Design Automation Conference (June), and the International Microwave Symposium
(June). For more information about these and other test-related events, visit our online calendar.