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 […]
Communication Test
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 […]
How to calculate and apply an inverse FFT: part 1
The inverse Fourier transform (inverse FFT or iFFT) reverses the operation of the Fourier transform and derives a time-domain representation from a frequency-domain dataset. In early 2024, EE World published a series on the Fourier transform, which can convert a time-domain signal to the frequency domain (Figure 1, red arrow). The process is reversible (Figure […]
RF cables cover frequencies to 43.5 GHz for test applications
Cables available in three standard lengths with SMA, 2.92 mm, and 2.4 mm end connectors. Samtec’s LL043 Series Nitrowave microwave cable assemblies have performance is optimized from DC to 43.5 GHz with a maximum VSWR of 1.4:1. The 43.5 GHz bandwidth lets the cables operate at 5G mmWave frequencies as well as those used in […]
RF cable tests devices to 43.5 GHz
Samtec, Inc. is announcing the availability of full production quantity for its LL043 Series Nitrowave high-performance microwave cable assembly. Nitrowave is Samtec’s new flexible, low-loss microwave coaxial cable product line that demonstrates outstanding amplitude and phase stability in test and measurement, as well as 5G datacom, defense, aerospace, and computer/semiconductor applications. Nitrowave is easily recognizable […]
Voice testing platform adds satellite communications
GL Communications Inc. addressed the press regarding their Satellite Testing Solutions. These solutions evaluate the user experience across satellite communication networks. As the demand for satellite networks increases for mission-critical applications and rural home internet, GL provides tools that interface with satellite endpoint devices, generate customizable audio, objectively measure voice quality, and produce detailed reports. […]
Free online tools perform RF calculations
RF engineers often need to calculate parameters such as VSWR and RLC networks. Ampleon provides these and other free RF design tools for you to use. Ampleon, a maker of RF components, provides engineers with a free RF online tools page where you can find four sets of useful tools. Each of the four tools […]
Verify, test, and troubleshoot 5G Wi-Fi FWA gateways
By Xiang Li, Keysight Technologies Follow these three steps to ensure your fixed-wireless access designs will be compatible with the Wi-Fi fronthaul and 5G backhaul. Many areas lack the wired infrastructure to bring residential broadband access. Making those connections has become costly and inefficient. Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) has emerged as a compelling alternative to […]
Analog telecom lives, bulk-call generator tests 2 & 4-wire lines
GL Communications Inc. addressed the press regarding their high-capacity analog 2-Wire FXO/FXS or 4-Wire E&M bulk call generator used to test a Central Office, PBX, Analog Telephone Adapter, Optical Network Terminal/Optical Line Terminal, Gateways, and other telecommunications equipment. This system is a compact rack-mount solution that includes server hardware, GL MAPS software, and channel banks, with […]
OFC 2024: How AI and silicon photonics will drive network test
EE World spoke with Sarah Boen, Director of Technology and ASIC Strategy at Tektronix, who spoke at a panel session on how AI and silicon photonics are changing networks and the challenges facing test engineers and reliability engineers.
