When discussing total harmonic distortion (THD), the fundamental of the wave in question is known as the first harmonic. Quantifying THD, therefore, begins with the second harmonic. Theoretically, the number of harmonics is limited only by some maximum frequency based on minimum quantum wavelength. In reality, however, we are interested in a relatively small number […]
Morse code, the first serial communication protocol
Today we tend to take for granted the fact that even PC-based oscilloscopes can automatically record and decode packets or frames sent via serial protocols such as 1-Wire, RS-232, and Ethernet. But back in olden times, the decoding of serial protocols was a job for humans. We are speaking, of course, of what was probably […]
New scopes target power, automotive, embedded systems apps
The WaveRunner 8000HD High Definition Oscilloscopes (HDO) are the world’s only 8-channel, 12-bit resolution, 2-GHz instruments. WaveRunner 8000HD leverages LeCroy’s HD4096 High Definition technology and a 15.6-in. touchscreen, high channel counts, and 5 Gigapoints of acquisition memory in critical applications such as high-power/three-phase power conversion, automotive electronics, power integrity and power sequencing, and embedded control […]
The super-cold measurement science of superconductivity
Ordinary conductors such as copper and silver exhibit less resistance as the temperature drops. But even near absolute zero they still have some resistance. With true superconductivity, the resistance of certain materials drops to precisely zero when they hit a certain critical cold temperature. This type of superconductivity is a quantum mechanical process that involves […]
The difference between a pulse generator, a signal generator, an AFG, and an AWG
There are a variety of instruments available to generate electronic signals these days. They go by different names and provide different kinds of outputs. Differences between the various kinds of instrumentation aren’t always obvious, so here is a short primer. Signal generators make available at their outputs sinusoidal waveforms with a settable frequency or amplitude. […]
New app collects/logs scope waveforms, screen captures, and measurements
KickStart 2.1 instrument control software enables quick test setup and data visualization when using single or multiple instruments. This software is now available for use with a broader range of Keithley instruments and for the first time can be used with Tektronix mid-range oscilloscopes. Included with the base KickStart package are four instrument apps: I-V […]
Hot topic: How to measure plasma in a fusion reactor
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) tokamak is an experimental machine designed to harness the energy of fusion. ITER will be the world’s largest tokamak, with a plasma radius of 6.2 m and a plasma volume of 840 m³. The heart of a tokamak is its doughnut-shaped vacuum chamber. Here, under the influence of extreme […]
Op-amps and their most important parameters
The operational amplifier (op-amp) has been one of the most successful integrated circuits. A type of differential amplifier with high gain, the differential inputs and single output enable this small, inexpensive IC to use negative feedback in a wide variety of applications, in which its gain (hundreds of thousands of times higher than the difference […]
Academic discount program supports lab upgrades in educational institutions
A special program is designed to encourage academic institutions to upgrade their laboratory instrumentation. The Vitrek Academic Discount Program is designed to ease the burden of providing researchers and students with the latest in high-performance test equipment by offering reduced prices on Vitrek equipment to qualified university, college and research laboratories. “Our premier instruments are […]
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 […]
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