Temporary wiring is usually associated with construction sites and outdoor concerts. But it also comes into play when test regimes demand that several test instruments be set up outdoors, and when research work must commence in temporary quarters. Here are a few things to know about keeping safe when instrumentation gets plugged into wiring that […]
FAQ
Making measurements with Matlab
Matlab was released in 1984 by Mathworks, an American privately-held corporation whose other major product is the closely-related Simulink. Additionally, Mathworks offers close to 100 other programs, such as Polyspace, SimEvents and Stateflow. Matlab’s main focus is numerical computing, including matrix and algorithm operations, plotting of data and functions and creation of user interfaces. It […]
Test and measurement with LabVIEW
LabVIEW is an awesome product created and maintained by National Instruments. It consists of systems engineering relating to test, measurement and control of instrumentation, devices and machinery, and it is currently used worldwide in numerous applications. Rather than endless lines of textual coding, LabVIEW has a simple graphic interface where devices such as an oscilloscope […]
A look at the instrumentation for trapping atoms, ions, and particles
Enormous gains have been made in quantum research by confining single atoms or small numbers of atoms and elementary particles in electromagnetic traps. For experimental purposes, what is wanted is the ability to confine a single particle in a small container for a long time. The object would be to repeat measurements introducing alternate variables […]
Measuring phase noise and jitter
Generally, whether one speaks of phase noise or jitter depends upon whether they happen to be a radio frequency or digital systems engineer. Both phenomena are random fluctuations of a time-domain waveform in an oscillator or in a clock. Phase noise is best represented in the frequency domain. It is usually defined as the spectral […]
Interoperability testing for the Internet of Things
The Internet of Things might also be thought of as the internet of interoperable things. A systematic testing regime can help uncover problems when devices work in concert. DELMAR HOWARD, INTERTEK GROUP PLC The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing at an exponential rate. In three years, the number of IoT-enabled products is expected to […]
Understanding magnetic resonance technology
Various electronics circuits and human-made or natural phenomena and atomic configurations spontaneously exhibit or can be configured to exhibit resonance. What this means is that when they oscillate, the associated waveform is at a stable fundamental frequency. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) takes place when the isotope of an atom is located within a magnetic field. […]
Megohmmeter measurements and instrumentation for insulation testing
Megohmmeter measurements can now be more accurate, rapid and safer than ever before. JEFF JOWETT, MEGGER A considerable number of electronics personnel working throughout the electrical industry are military trained. And many of them learned on a simple hand-cranked analog meter, properly termed a megohmmeter, or insulation tester. These testers were typically 500-V units that […]
You passed: Getting products through EMC/EMI compliance tests
Pre-compliance tests run in your own lab can avoid bad news when products go into formal conformity checks. DYLAN STINSON, TEKTRONIX INC. EMI regulations are in place to ensure reliability and safety for users of electrical and electronic equipment. With few exceptions, any product emitting or susceptible to electromagnetic interference must be certified for EMI […]
Tips on buying a new oscilloscope
Answers to a few basic questions can help clarify what kind of scope makes sense for your workbench. JAMES MCGREGOR, NEWARK ELEMENT14 For many engineers, the oscilloscope is the most useful and versatile tool on the bench. So when it’s time to buy a new one, it’s important to make sure the scope meets your […]
