The May 2025 gathering of the monthly electronics “Flea at MIT” swapfest featured an excessive number of test instruments. We break them down into oscilloscopes, meters, and signal sources. Click on any image to enlarge in a new tab. Oscilloscopes A Tektronix analog modular oscilloscope. The black bezel hides the model number. This unit has […]
Test Equipment
Understanding ADC specs and architectures: part 4
The AC performance of an analog-to-digital converter depends on its architecture. In part 3 of this series, we discussed the integral nonlinearity (INL) error of an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), noting that gain, offset, and INL error all contribute to the total unadjusted error. This metric provides an overall view of an ADC’s DC performance. Q: What about the AC […]
Get your Pickering test equipment calibrated in US
Pickering Interfaces announced a strategic collaboration with Trescal, the global leader in calibration services. Effective May 22, Trescal will officially serve as an authorized service provider for calibration services of Pickering Interfaces products across the United States (USA). This initiative eliminates the need to ship modules to the UK, streamlining support for USA customers. In […]
Understanding ADC specs and architectures: part 3
Integral nonlinearity tracks the cumulative effects of an ADC’s differential nonlinearity. In part 2 of this series, we discussed several sources of error in an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), including gain, offset, missing-code error, and differential nonlinearity (DNL). We concluded with an illustration of a waveform with varying levels of DNL superimposed on the staircase representing […]
Teardown: HP 8112A pulse generator
This 50 MHz pulse generator was built as solid as a rock. It’s almost all metal. We take the unit completely apart and look at it from a system and board level. On a visit to the MIT swapfest in 2024, I came across an HP 8112A 50 MHz pulse generator. For $20, I brought […]
OFC 2025: Test equipment
This year’s OFC in San Francisco featured one thing, or so it seemed: 1.6T. Every company making optical modules was showing them lest they be left behind in the always accelerating data rate race. As with any emerging technology, test equipment must lead the way. After all, how do you know if anything works unless […]
Test lab adds certification for LEV and ESS batteries
SGS announced the expansion of battery testing and certification services at its Suwanee lab near Atlanta, Georgia, USA. As a recognized partner to the battery industry, SGS is delighted to extend its support to manufacturers and operators seeking certification for batteries used in light electric vehicles (LEVs) and energy storage systems (ESS). The expansion boosts SGS’s […]
Automotive data logger syncs timestamps below 100 ns
TTTech Auto announces the launch of the PM-350, the latest addition to its Automotive Data Logger family, designed specifically for Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) verification and validation. Optimized as a new addition to the Automotive Data Logger family for SDVs, advancing the latest evolution of PM-200, the PM-350 represents the latest innovation in capturing high-speed automotive […]
Modular system combines DMM with DAQ
The DAQ3120 from B+K Precision lets you install up to three measurement modules to create a custom system for your bench. Most engineers have a digital multimeter (DMM) for basic measurements such as voltage, current, and resistance. Sometimes, however, you need the flexibility to add channels and log measurements without or without a computer. That’s […]
Modular 4-channel power supply mounts in a test rack
B&K Precision announces the MPS Series. This series delivers up to four output channels and 1200 W of power in a compact 1U mainframe. Users can configure a customized 1-to-4 channel DC power system by selecting from eight interchangeable modules. The modules support various voltage/current output ratings and are capable of generating 100 W (multi-range) […]
