Agilent DSO90604A Infiniium Oscilloscope delivers unmatched accuracy

Agilent Technologies (www.agilent.com) offers unmatched real-time accuracy with the release of the DSO90604A Infiniium High Performance Oscilloscope, which offers six GHz bandwidth, a real-time sampling rate of up to 20 GSa/s and up to one Gpts memory.

This four channel oscilloscope allows users to use jitter budget on the design and not on the oscilloscope, quickly meet today’s demanding compliance tests and debug even the most demanding compliance tests with confidence.

Offering the industry’s lowest noise floor, the DSO90604A delivers the most accurate real-time jitter measurements. It provides the best oscilloscope solution as it comes equipped with full-bandwidth probing solutions as well as hardware-accelerated equalization and de-embedding techniques.

The oscilloscope’s deep memory of one Gbyte enables it to resolve low-frequency jitter components quickly in just a single measurement, while its statistical accuracy is optimised with more data collection. Its deep memory allows more comprehensive testing while remaining responsive to support pattern lengths up to PRBS23 for accurate receiver and transmitter results.

The oscilloscope offers various applications that help users decode and trigger serial busses, view FFT based spectrum analysis of the signal or iron out the kinks in their memory design. It offers unique serial protocol views and DDR debug tools that support multiple generations of the standard.

Meanwhile, FFT enables users to easily and quickly analyze the signal’s frequency components. The oscilloscope can display and combine both the FFT magnitude and Phase with other Matlab based measurements or math functions.

Standard windowing of Flattop, Rectangular and Hanning are supported together with cursor based power measurements. Users can use the Agilent 89601A Vector Signal Analyzer software when more power frequency domain measurements are needed.

PCB Design, Bringing It All Together

For anyone who has ever turned a PCB it is an obvious thing to ask for but we have all just stopped asking because one might die before it ever occurred: Integration between part manufacturer, distributor, PCB house, and PCB design tools into a development environment for the engineer. The esoteric electronic design automation (EDA) tools for the printed circuit boards of today could use some help. And that is putting it nicely.

In 2007, Sunstone Circuits resolved to pursue higher levels of integration within EDA to better serve their customers. But to do so would require collaboration within the traditionally fractious and competitive world of electronics. They invited the then-unlikely cast of characters to the table and made the pitch to integrate their tools and services for the engineer. 4 years later, in 2011, on my way to ESC Boston I attended a press briefing with Sunstone and partners on their collaborative Circuit Design ECOsystem (CDE), the integrated environment for the PCB developer.

The members of this fellowship are currently Digi-Key, NXP, National Instruments, Screaming Circuits, and Sunstone Circuits.

Roles of each member of the CDE are as follows.

Digi-Key provides real-time pricing and availability for components of the design.

NXP provides access to manufacturer-verified library definitions, datasheets, and simulation models, with the goal that the parts are fully specified within the design before it leaves the CAD tool.

National Instruments provides circuit simulation through NI Multisim while the engineers who use NI’s circuit development environment will benefit from the integration of the PCB development cycle.

Screaming Circuits provides quick-turn PCB fabrication and assembly.

Sunstone provides PCB fabrication, 24/7/365 live support, and the founding leadership behind the CDE.

Throughout the press briefing each member described the company performance, role in the ECOsystem, and next steps. Everyone indicated that business was going well, profits were healthy, and interest in the CDE remained firm. As the meeting progressed, the ramifications emerged and I asked: How can we get this to work?

We discussed the challenges that come with integration of engineering tools, particularly communication, standardization, and scaling.

I could see the Circuit Design ECOsystem approach mature into an intuitive process so that engineers can focus more on what they want to do as opposed to how they need to do it. For instance, “I want to have a switch to control this indicator” as opposed to “wondering whether or not the 3-pin FET package I chose has the right pinout for the 3-pin FETs I ordered in bulk, did I lay this part out on the top or the bottom, am I looking at the top or bottom layer, from which direction am I looking at what layer, which pin is the gate again?” It should not be possible to layout the wrong part after choosing what you wanted in the schematic, which should then guarantee its availability and cost through a distributor such as Digi-Key. This requires communication between the EDA tools and the manufacturer to mine the metadata of the part, which may be accomplished through a distributor that aggregates the data or through all the manufacturers that want their parts to get used in 21st+ century designs. Either way, it behooves everyone to build and agree upon a set of standards before running in N directions and never quite solving any problem better than the pencil and paper equivalent.

As it is now, Sunstone Circuits’ PCB123 is fairly well integrated with Digi-Key. You may select parts that exist in Digi-Key’s inventory, refresh live pricing, build the BOM, and actually place the order from within the program. The Circuit Design ECOsystem website is a bit bare, though it contains some useful links to the partner sites for the relevant step in the design process. For instance, under Part Research you will see NXP with a link to their product selector and Digi-Key with a link to buy parts; Circuit Design you will see PCB123 and NI MultiSim; Fabrication & Assembly you will see Sunstone Circuits for board quotes and Screaming Circuits for prototype assembly; and so on. Walking through the design and order process on CDE, it does not yet automatically populate the Digi-Key order page from your BOM or design files.

Exciting but difficult work ahead for the prototype ECOsystem crew as they look ahead to future-proof the system and prepare for scaling up when they engage more partners into the ECOsystem. I am looking forward to what they do next.

Circuit Design ECOsystem
http://www.circuitdesignecosystem.com/

Digi-Key
http://www.digikey.com/

NXP
http://www.nxp.com/

Screaming Circuits
http://www.screamingcircuits.com/

National Instruments
http://www.ni.com/

Sunstone Circuits
http://www.sunstone.com/

Automated DisplayPort Compliance Testing ideal in Tektronix DPO/DSA 70000 Series oscilloscope

Tektronix, Inc. (www.tek.com) has unveiled a new software and test fixture that deliver fully automated compliance testing support for the DisplayPort 1.2 CTS (Compliance Test Specification). This latest offerings are compatible with an eight GHz or higher bandwidth Tektronix DPO/DSA 70000 Series digital oscilloscope to ensure repeatable and confident test results.

Produced by Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA), DisplayPort is a digital display interface standard that is utilized to connect a video source to a display device such as a television set or computer monitor. The improvements introduced to the DisplayPort 1.2 include multiple independent video streams, doubling of the effective signaling rate to 5.4Gbit/s, increased AUX channel bandwidth, as well as support for more color spaces and for stereoscopic 3D.

“The combined complexity of DisplayPort state control combined with the vast number of configuration permutations of transmitter parameters makes testing to the CTS1.2 specification particularly time consuming and challenging for those not immersed in the specification,” remarked Mike Rizzo, Manager of Oscilloscope Solutions, Tektronix.

“The Tektronix solution provides customers a comprehensive array of conformance measurements while automating the entire process — enabling optimized use of valuable engineering staff time and equipment.”

The DisplayPort 1.2 software option allows engineers and technicians using DPO/DSA70000 Series oscilloscope to perform intervention-free, automated testing of DisplayPort 1.2 designs. Offering simple set-up as well as test execution, the DisplayPort 1.2 solution is implemented with Tektronix TekExpress Automated Compliance Test Software.

LeCroy WaveJet 312A Oscilloscope

LeCroy (www.lecroy.com) has introduced a two channel oscilloscope that offers 100 MHz bandwidth, a maximum real-time sampling rate of one GS/s and 500 kpts memory.

Featuring a footprint of only four inches with a large, bright 7.5-inch display, this compact and lightweight oscilloscope is easy to carry and ideal for use in work environments where space is a premium.

For additional analysis, the WaveJet 312A oscilloscope offers math capabilities that include difference, sum, product as well as FFT. These allow users to easily make measurements on the calculated waveforms using the cursors or the parameters.

The oscilloscope’s 26 automatic measurement parameters enable users to save time making measurements on the signals. Its min/max statistics function allows users to have a more in-depth look on the signals being measured.

The WaveJet 312A also features a replay mode, which enables users to go back in time and isolate anomalies, measure them with cursors or parameters and easily determine the source of the problem.

Its peak detect as well as equivalent time acquisition modes provide the flexibility needed in capturing and measuring signals. With peak detect, the oscilloscope can easily capture glitches as small as 1 ns, while its equivalent time sampling feature allows it to achieve a maximum sampling rate of 100 GS/s.

Knowing that saving screen images and waveforms is an important aspect of documenting results, LeCroy has specifically developed the Wavejet 312A to offer a front panel and a rear panel USB port for saving data to memory stick and printing hardcopies, respectively.

Agilent’s DSO91208A Infiniium low-profile oscilloscope

Agilent Technologies (www.agilent.com) has proudly introduced a low-profile oscilloscope specifically engineered to allow research at the cutting edge of physics – the DSO91208A Infiniium Oscilloscope. Offering bandwidth of up to 12 GHz with 50 Ω front end, this high-performance oscilloscope also comes with eight 40 GSa/s digitizer channels and standard acquisition memory of 20 Mpts.

The DSO91208A oscilloscope is fitted in 7UI high 19 inch rack and based on Infiniium DSO90000A series oscilloscopes. It has been designed to meet even the most demanding requirements by offering the features needed to ensure unrivalled real-time accuracy, fast and reliable measurements, powerful internal capabilities with off-the-shelf software and on-board PCs, as well as fast offload compatibility and speeds with industry standard computation packages.

Aside from custom programmable filter response, the oscilloscope also features the lowest noise floor at 2.8mV at 100mV/div and hardware accelerated de-embedding to allow fast compensation for fixture, probe and channel effects.

The oscilloscope’s eight channel module offers two PCs that deliver standard I/O functionality, while running application software. Its custom Infiniium Data Accelerator (IDA) hardware on the acquisition boards facilitates measurements by requiring math and filtering algorithms. Equipped with various measurement and analysis features, the oscilloscope can be outfitted with various unique software options.

The DSO91208A comes with InfiniiScan event identification function that helps users identify signal integrity issues by rapidly triggering on complex events. Its Serial Data Equalization function allows users to measure at the pin as well as utilize equalization to view a virtual eye on the equalizer’s other side. Model equalization techniques offered include FFE, DFE and CTLE.

B&K 2534 DSO combines performance with value

B&K Precision (www.bkprecision.com) has unveiled a dual channel oscilloscope that provides an unrivalled combination of value and performance, the 2534 Digital Storage Oscilloscopes. This 60 MHz oscilloscope offers a maximum sample rate of 400 MSa/s and record length of 4000 points for each channel.

The oscilloscope’s analog style controls and auto measurement function makes it an easy-to-use device. With advanced features such as digital filtering, FFT function, delayed sweep/zoom, waveform recorder, 24 automatic measurements and mask testing, the oscilloscope offers users with powerful tools for easy debugging of circuits.

The oscilloscope features PC Software, which allows users to easily capture, save and analyze measurement results and waveforms. Unlike other comparable DSOs, the 2534 comes with two high performance 150 MHz passive probes, making it ideal for use in design and debug, education and training, and service and repair.

Its USB front panel host port allows users to conveniently connect the USB flash drive for easy storing and recall of waveform data (csy or binary), screen shots (bmp format) and setups. It also allows users to update the firmware of the oscilloscope.

After identifying the input signal, the oscilloscope’s auto button then sets up the horizontal, vertical and trigger controls to generate a useable display. The oscilloscope also allows users to isolate signals with its advanced triggering functions, which include selectable video trigger and pulse width. Its alternate trigger function enables the oscilloscope to deliver a stable display of signals that are unrelated in time.

3-in-1 Sensor from OSRAM Combines IR LED to Detect Proximity and Ambient Light

The new “3 in 1” SFH 7773 digital sensor from OSRAM Opto Semiconductors makes it easier than ever to install both proximity and ambient light sensing in smart phones and similar devices by combining the functions of a digital ambient light sensor and a digital proximity sensor in a single compact unit. It also simplifies the elimination of crosstalk by combining the emitter and detector chips together – 3 devices in all – eliminating the design requirements that are usually necessary to suppress crosstalk. Now designers no longer have to install a separate IR emitter to enable the proximity sensor function.

The SFH 7773 detects objects up to a distance of 15 cm (5.9 in.) while simultaneously measuring the intensity of the ambient light. Its black package, measuring only 5.3 x 2.5 x 1.2 mm, is barely noticeable behind the transparent covers of smart phones. Thanks to highly efficient OSRAM chip technologies, its power consumption is low – a maximum of 5 μA flows in stand-by mode, 300 μA in operational mode – making it ideally suited for portable devices.

 

Anti-Reflective Design

Proximity sensors detect objects by receiving the reflection of an emitted light signal. But the cover of a smart phone, e.g., also reflects light back to the sensor. This so-called crosstalk is usually intercepted by installing an optical barrier or placing the emitter at a sufficient distance from the cover to prevent the cover reflections from reaching the detector. However, both methods are rather complex and cumbersome. With the SFH 7773, designers do not have to worry about crosstalk because, inside the device, the emitter and the detector chip are located sufficiently far apart from each other and apertures are integrated into the package to prevent crosstalk or, at minimum, significantly reduce it.

User-definable sensitivity

Now, to a large extent, designers are free to select the integration time of the detector and, thus, the detection range of the proximity sensor via the I²C interface. That way, they can also adjust the ambient light sensor to the transparency of the smart phone cover. A variety of sensitivity levels is available, ranging from 3 to approximately 65.500 lux and 0.03 to 655 lux.

“This means that now, for the first time, our customers can optimize the device for their respective application – from the operating distance to the sensitivity of the ambient light sensor,” noted Bianka Schnabel, Product Marketing Manager for the SFH 7773 sensor. “Due to this considerably simplified design and flexibility of use, combined ambient light and proximity functions become more attractive for the mid-price segment of smart phones and other portable devices.”

For more information on the use of SFH 7773 and the topic of crosstalk, check out the application note.

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH
www.osram-os.com

Bourns launches two industrial panel control models

Bourns, Inc. (www.bourns.com), a leading global supplier and manufacturer of electronic components, has revealed its two latest industrial-grade panel control models that are equipped with a rotary switch and push-pull switch.

Dubbed the Bourns Model 54, the half inched panel control is an addition to Bourns Model 51/53 Series with an extra double-pole, double-throw (DPDT) push-pull switch component.

Meanwhile, Bourns Model 56 is another latest half inched panel control. It is also an extension of the Bourns’ Model 51/53 Series with a newly installed single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) rotary switch component.

Both latest products are high-performance substitutes to available consumer-grade potentiometers with rotary and push-pull switches.

The two new products are designed to meet the requirements of various range of medical, industrial and avionics/aerospace applications. They are mostly appropriate for use in communications equipment as well as in test and measurement devices.

The Bourns Model 56 is used in medical laboratory equipment and avionics controls, while the Bourns Model 54 is an optimal solution for professional audio device and medical diagnostic.

According to Chuck Manzano, Product Specialist for Bourns, Inc, “Bourns’ new industrial grade panel controls are significant because they provide the flexibility of a panel control plus push-pull switch or rotary switch in one compact component. In addition, the splash seal provides protection from moisture ingression in a wide variety of applications.”

”The new panel controls provide designers with high-performance alternatives to consumer-grade potentiometers, providing end customers with enhanced reliability and improved performance as required by industrial, medical and avionics applications.”

Fluke Wins TED Magazine 2011 Best of the Best Award

Fluke Corporation was named a winner in the Digital Campaign category of the TED Magazine 2011 Best of the Best Awards. The awards recognize the best marketing practices in the electrical industry.

Fluke won for the “It’s a Tight, Tight World” online promotion for the iFlex Clamp Meter. The program featured a humorous video featuring the iFlex product. After viewing the video, participants received a personalized link, which they used to share the video via email, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites. If their link to the video was used five times, they received an iFlex bottle opener as a prize.

Forty percent of the video’s 30,000 views resulted from participant sharing, exceeding the average of 15 percent for similar programs. The program was an effort at engaging a broad audience through non-traditional media and it successfully generated significant awareness for the iFlex Clamp Meter.

This is the sixth major recognition this year for the Fluke Clamp Meters. The Fluke 381 Remote Display True-rms AC/DC Clamp Meter with iFlex won the EC&M 2011 Platinum Product of the Year, EC&M 2011 Product of the Year Category Winner in the portable measurement equipment category, Gold Award in the Tools category in the ACHR – The NEWS 8^th Annual Dealer Design Awards, 2010 Control Engineering Engineers’ Choice Awards in the portable measurement equipment category, and 2010 Plant Engineering Product of the Year Silver Award in the Maintenance Tools
and Equipment category.

Fluke Corporation
www.fluke.com

Spectris to acquire Omega Engineering for $475 million

Spectris plc, the productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls company, announces that it has signed an agreement to acquire the Omega Engineering business. Omega is a leading supplier of process measurement and control instrumentation across a broad range of categories, including automation, wireless, test and measurement, process control, power monitoring, environmental and lab equipment.

Founded in 1962, Omega has grown steadily and is now an established global leader in the technical marketplace. The company offers over 100,000 state-of-the-art solutions for measurement of temperature, pressure, flow, level, strain, humidity, pH and conductivity, as well as a comprehensive line of data acquisition, electric heating and custom engineered products.

“We are delighted to have reached agreement to acquire the Omega Engineering business, which will bring a significant strategic growth platform to Spectris,” said John O’Higgins, Chief Executive of Spectris. “Omega will continue to serve its customers with innovative products and outstanding service. With its focus on control of temperature, pressure, flow and other common industrial process measurements, Omega is a natural fit for our industrial controls segment and enables us to expand our product offering to customers globally.”

Spectris plc is a leading supplier of productivity-enhancing instrumentation and controls. The company’s products and technologies help customers to improve product quality and performance, improve core manufacturing processes, reduce downtime and wastage, and reduce time to market. Its global customer base spans a diverse range of end user markets.

Spectris operates across four business segments, which reflect the applications and industries it serves: Materials Analysis, Test and Measurement, In-line Instrumentation and Industrial Controls. Headquartered in Egham, Surrey, England, the company employs over 6,400 people, with offices in more than 30 countries.

Spectris plc.
www.spectris.com

Omega Engineering
www.omega.com

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