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 […]
signal generator
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 […]
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 […]
Waveform generators create basic, arbitrary, and RF signals
The T3AWG6K series from Teledyne LeCroy lets you produce fundamental baseband signals, complex analog/digital signals, and RF signals in one box. Today’s designs often need testing through a combination of analog, digital, and RF signals, which can require up to three signal generators. With the T3AWG6K series from Teledyne LeCroy, you can generate all of […]
IMS 2024 roundup: test equipment
Washington, DC — The 2024 International Microwave Symposium took place here in June at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. As always, RF/microwave/mmWave test equipment was all over the exhibit hall. Frequency-domain test equipment — spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, power meters, and signal generators — were, of course, dominant. Other equipment, such as oscilloscopes […]
OFC 2024: Test equipment
Before those 800G links can operate, they need testing. San Diego — The 2024 Optical Fiber Communications Conference (OFC) took place here from March 25 to 28. While companies highlighting their optical transceiver modules, semiconductors, and network equipment all touted how they support AI and data centers, none of that happens without test equipment. Optical […]
RF generators produce test signals to 40 GHz
The SMB100B series from Rohde & Schwarz produces microwave carriers to 40 GHz. Test-instrument manufacturer Rohde & Schwarz introduced a series of four microwave signal generators, the SMB100B. The instruments come with four models depending on top frequency: 12.75 GHz, 20 GHz, 31.8 GHz, and 40 GHz. All models support AM, FM, phase, and pulse […]
Function, arb generators and multimeters enhance test equipment lines
RIGOL Technologies is expanding its family of ultra-portable instruments with the introduction of the DG800 Pro and DG900 Pro Series Function / Arbitrary Waveform Generators, along with the DM858 Series Digital Multimeters. Like their predecessors—the DHO800 and DHO900 Series High-Resolution Oscilloscopes—these new generators and multimeters deliver impressive performance and functionality in a compact and light […]
Review: Electronic bug and hidden camera detectors
Do you want assurance that cameras embedded in everyday devices don’t spy on you? Then you should check for cameras, SD card slots, and Wi-Fi-connections. We reviewed two devices that help you find those lurking spies. While discovering a hidden camera in an Airbnb, VRBO, or hotel is rare, there have been reports of travelers […]
AOC 2023: Exhibits show the latest in military wireless
Washington — The Association of Old Crows (AOC) held its 60th annual convention in Washington during the week of December 11, 2023. EE World was there on December 12. Here is some of what we saw in the exhibit hall. AOC is a defense-oriented conference that focuses on military wireless communications. In addition to product […]
