In a satellite dish, as sometimes used to receive internet signals transmitted via satellite, the signal transmitted by a satellite transponder is reflected by and propagated through a circular or rectangular tube, which is part of the feedhorn. This tube, like all waveguides, has dimensions based on the wavelength of the signal. Its purpose is […]
Meters & Testers
How to measure current and energy use accurately
General-purpose test equipment can have trouble measuring small currents, particularly if they only happen briefly. New specialized instruments go a long way toward solving this problem. Matt Liberty | Jetperch LLC The direct measurement of current is difficult. It’s usually impractical to count individual electrons, so the two primary techniques for measuring current actually measure […]
Remote Communication with USBTMC
Simple connections employing USB can replace more expensive GPIB setups in test instrumentation. Aaron Fernando, B&K Precision Corp. Engineers from a variety of industries use USB and USBTMC (USB Test & Measurement Class) to remotely control test and measurement instruments from a host computer. It is useful to compare USBTMC to the widely used GPIB […]
Fast interconnect analyzer reveals time- and frequency-domain details in a single acquisition
The WavePulser 40iX high-speed interconnect analyzer allows high-speed hardware designers and test engineers to characterize and analyze interconnects and cables for high-speed serial protocols such as PCI Express, HDMI, USB, SAS, SATA, Fibre Channel, InfiniBand, Gigabit Ethernet, and Automotive Ethernet. Until now, interconnect testing and validation has been bifurcated between time- and frequency-domain testing. For […]
Non-contact handheld scanner inspects wire
The Aeroel HWS.2 Handy Wire Scanner is the world’s first non-contact handheld optical micrometer for measurement of wires, cables and other similar products. The scanner features an embedded display which provides a 3D visualization for placing the wire within the measurement area and to display the measurement result. The measurement cycle is initiated by the […]
Autoranging bench power supplies feature small footprint, large display
A new series of single and dual-output power supplies feature a bench-friendly design with low background noise, small footprint, and a large display. Keysight’s new E36200 series enables engineers to test their designs across multiple industries including automotive electronics, consumer goods, medical devices, power tools, and industrial applications. Keysight’s new E36200 series provides the same […]
System-level tester exercises and validates MIPI devices
The SV4E-DPTXCPTX is a highly integrated system-level tester that facilitates the rapid screening, calibration, and optimization of MIPI Alliance-enabled devices. Such devices include high-resolution display panels or display driver ICs, advanced image signal processors, and microcontrollers used in mobile or IoT applications. The SV4E-DPTXCPTX features a unique dual-mode DPHY/C-PHY analog front-end. It also integrates reconfigurable […]
Teraohmmeter excels at higher voltage insulation resistance testing
The 98x Series of Teraohmmeter/Insulation Resistance testers are designed to meet the emerging higher voltage requirements of electric vehicle battery systems and solar arrays. The 981i offers an output voltage range of up to 6.5 kV and the 983i has a maximum output of 11 KV. Built upon the same DSP technology that has established […]
Clamp meters handle ac currents up to 2,000 A
The Hioki CM4141 and CM4142 AC Clamp Meters are rated for use with currents up to 2,000 A. These new current sensors feature a compact, sturdy jaw design for easy application around existing wiring, robust enough to push and pull wiring. The CM4141 and CM4142 deliver accurate results even when measuring ac current waveforms that […]
Digital caliper, Pt 1: Background and predecessors
Use of electronics and capacitive-based position sensing have transformed the caliper, a fundamental and essential instrument of precision linear-dimension measurement. Making precise measurements across small distances of up to several inches or tens of centimeters is an obvious and fundamental requirement of modern metrology, research, and mass production. But how can that be done accurately, […]
