September 9, 2008

Designing FMC-test products requires wireless-LAN and cellular expertise
Arranging the marriage of WiFi and cellular networks is far from simple, and Agilent and Azimuth have found that testing the performance of dual-mode equipment requires hardware and software designed by people familiar with the eccentricities of both technologies. Read More

A D V E R T I S E M E N T Learn how to improve the power accuracy of receiver tests Testing to WiMAX™ standards, this application note from Agilent tells how power measurement inaccuracy affects receiver tests, and shows you how to use external variable attenuators to increase both accuracy and speed in power calibration. Click here to learn more and download the note.

RF switches for PXI begin proliferation
Growing interest in PXI as an RF test platform has stimulated demand for high-density RF switching modules. The result has been a jump in the range of switch configurations available, but with one drawback. Read More

An RFIC for the world
When you travel overseas, do you need to switch cellphones because yours isn't compatible with the network? Have you had to replace a phone because your carrier upgraded to a new network? If so, then you'll appreciate the work being done at BitWave Semiconductor. 
Read More

The WiMAX Forum releases an open software testing simulator
The WiMAX Forum's software tool for testing WiMAX equipment allows operators to evaluate network planning, capacity, and product capabilities. Read More

Agilent extends network analyzer capability to 20-GHz
A new option from Agilent Technologies extends the 8.5-GHz frequency range of the E5071C ENA Series network analyzer up to 20 GHz. 
Read More

A D V E R T I S E M E N T New Strategies for Validating RF Receiver Performance This webcast will discuss how it is possible to accurately emulate signal impairment and perform in-depth diagnostics in a lab setting. It will also demonstrate the benefits of record and playback as a valuable asset in reducing time-to-quality for RF products. Click here

EXFO unveils multiservice tester for Ethernet, Fibre Channel
The IQS-8525 and IQS-8535 from EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering, enable research and development, software verification, and manufacturing groups to validate and test Ethernet and Fibre Channel network equipment. Read More

BVS receiver kit targets Mobile WiMAX developers
Berkeley Varitronics Systems offers the Yellowfin-OEM kit for Mobile WiMAX development engineers. Read More

Radvision video test tool checks network readiness
eVident, an enterprise-level video testing software suite from Radvision, can be used to evaluate network preparedness for video and voice communications. Read More

Do you make enough money?
Read the results of our 2008 Salary Survey to learn whether your salary and benefits are competitive with your peers in the test-engineering industry. Read More

New challenge questions posted for September
Answer a challenge question correctly, and you could be eligible to win a prize.

Oscilloscope Challenge:
Question: What is the relationship between an oscilloscope and a time-domain reflectometer, and how can either or both be used to troubleshoot serial buses?
Prize: TomTom ONE GPS
Sponsor: Yokogawa

Data-Acquisition Challenge:
Question: Which type of sensor needs no excitation voltage or current, thus no external power source?
Prizes: Three $100 American Express gift cards (three winners of $100 each)
Sponsor: Data Translation

Go to the Challenge Page

September issue looks at board test
One feature in our September issue describes three projects initiated by iNEMI for improving the quality of printed-circuit boards. Another explains how to measure a control loop's transfer function so you can select the right compensation and power-stage components. The issue also includes the PXI Test Report. Read it today

Industry calendar of events
Upcoming events include the International Test Conferene (October), Electronica (November), and Globecom (November). For more information about these and other test-related events, visit our 
online calendar.