Noise measurement, LO substitution, receiver stress testing, power measurement, CCDF and PAPR characterization, and antenna-pattern measurement play critical roles in link budget, bit-error rate, and SNR requirements.
Test Equipment
Test methods for mmWave AiP designs bring tradeoffs
Engineers have several mmWave over-the-air test methods available for evaluating phased-array antennas used in antenna-in-package designs. Each has pros and cons.
IoT devices in private 5G networks bring new verification tests
With private networks connecting to many IoT devices, testing the device’s user interface requires updating test processes. Many IoT use cases rely on private 5G networks because they offer greater network control, better security, more reliable performance, and dedicated coverage and capacity as opposed to using a public network. With these advantages, private networks play…
Water-cooled probe injects disturbances onto power rails
The P2124 from Picotest let’s you inject modulation signals onto your board’s power rails for noise immunity testing.
I’ve got the measurement blues again
Back from a three-year hiatus, I’m covering test and measurement again. This time, it’s for EE World.
What is a Smith chart and why do I need one? (Part 1)
A Smith chart provides insight into RF/microwave designs. Even if you work primarily with low-speed analog and mixed-signal designs, you could benefit from familiarity with the Smith chart as wireless products proliferate and as high-speed-serial data signals exhibit microwave-like effects. When a signal’s wavelength (λ) approaches the lengths of the conductors carrying it, you can […]
Calibrators ease the DMM workload
The 5560A from Fluke Calibration lets you calibrate DMMs to 6½. Other models handle fewer digits.
Engineer ambitiously or be acquired?
Emerson Electric makes a significant offer to acquire NI, which is fighting back.
Development chassis sports mix of VME64x, OpenVPX backplanes
An open-frame enclosure contains multiple configuration options utilizing VME and OpenVPX backplanes. With a vast array of standard VITA 65 profile and power and ground only (unrouted) OpenVPX backplanes available, Pixus can offer a wide range of solutions. Coupled with various standard VME/VME64x backplanes, the company can provide a mix of slot options in both […]
Source measure unit combines four-quadrant voltage/current source with 6.5-digit meter
The AIM-TTi SMU4000 Source Measure Unit Series integrates a fast and agile high-power, four-quadrant voltage/current source with advanced precise voltage/current meters as an all-in-one test solution. Precisely supplying positive and negative voltages, sourcing or sinking power, while simultaneously measuring both current and voltage, makes these instruments candidates for rapid I-V characterization. The PowerFlex autoranging design […]