September 25, 2008

Autotestcon sees JTAG diagnostics, RF test, ATEasy release, PXI chassis
Many companies made important announcements at Autotestcon 2008: Intellitech announced a JTAG production-test accelerator, Geotest debuted ATEasy 7.0, Phase Matrix unveiled 26.5-GHz PXI downconverters, Adlink introduced a PXI chassis, Huntron commercialized a near-field RF test system, and more. Read More

A D V E R T I S E M E N T Put a bench in your bag Agilent's paperback-sized USB modular instruments make it possible. With a scope, a DMM, a function generator and the familiar software interface, you'll be ready for measurements at a customer site, an outsourced manufacturing operation, and beyond. Get the full story.

Call for Nominations: T&MW Awards Program
Test & Measurement World is now accepting nominations for the 2009 Best in Test and Test of Time awards. Read More

R&S brings HSUPA test to US lab, debuts new products
Rohde & Schwarz has announced that 7 layers Inc. has upgraded its Irvine test and service center with HSUPA test capabilities. Rohde & Schwarz has also recently debuted millimeter-wave converters and new midrange signal analyzers. Read More

LeCroy jumps into basic oscilloscopes
The WaveAce series of digital storage oscilloscopes from LeCroy takes aim at the Tektronix TDS1000B/2000B and the Agilent DSO3000A with six 2-channel models from 60 MHz to 300 MHz. Read More

A D V E R T I S E M E N T New Webcast: The Fundamentals of Signal Integrity Get valuable insight into solving signal integrity problems in digital systems. Discover their causes, characteristics, effects, and solutions. Learn how to create digital signals with good integrity - signals that have clean, fast transitions, stable and valid logic levels, accurate placement in time, free of any transients. Register now!

Advantech unveils PCI-104 serial communications modules
The Industrial Automation Group of Advantech offers the PCM-3614I and the PCM-3641I RS-232/422/485 serial communications modules with four and eight ports, respectively. Read More

NI's PXI embedded controller increases speed to 2.53 GHz
National Instruments claims that its PXI-8108 embedded controller for PXI and CompactPCI systems offers performance improvements over its dual-core predecessor, the PXI-8106, and its single-core predecessor, the PXI-8196. Read More

Sealevel expands configurable USB-to-serial adapter lineup
Housed in plastic enclosures that can be mounted on walls, under counters, or inside panels, the SeaLINK.SC and SeaLINK+2.SC USB-to-serial adapters from Sealevel Systems provide one and two serial ports, respectively. Read More

Simulate batteries for mobile products
Keithley's Model 2308 Portable Device Battery/Charger Simulator lets you test and characterize battery-operated devices for their power consumption. Read More

A D V E R T I S E M E N T Pre-Register Now for AeroTest America 2008! Running November 18-21, 2008, in Fort Worth, Texas, AeroTest America provides a unique, 100% dedicated showcase of the latest analytical, testing & evaluation, measurement, inspection, monitoring & compliance technologies, solutions, equipment, specialist services & facilities for the demanding needs of the Civil & Military Aviation, Space Engineering & Airborne Defense industries.Click here

Last week to take a September challenge
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

An RFIC for the world
For our September cover story, we visited BitWave Semiconductor to learn how the company's engineers test a software-defined radio IC that supports multiple RF wireless standards. Another feature explains how you can use a function generator and an oscilloscope to measure gain and phase shift versus frequency in a power supply's control loop. Plus, the issue also includes the PXI Test Report. Read it today

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