Curve-trace testing can reveal whether an incoming batch of ICs are bogus without resorting to destructive inspection measures. Alan Lowne | Saelig Making fake “lookalike” integrated circuits which resemble real ones takes minimal skill. It may simply require finding cheap parts in the same package and applying new markings. This problem has arisen due to […]
The complexity of wireless receiver testing
Eric Hsu | Keysight Technologies, Inc. The demand for wireless communications now challenges the physical limitations of today’s wireless communications systems. Interference can easily arise when systems operate in a crowded wireless environment using a shared spectrum. Signal congestion makes the process of designing, testing, and isolating system problems more complex. In the next few […]
Will your Good Samaritanism in the pandemic buy you a lawsuit?
Leland Teschler | Executive Editor If you are one of the individuals voluntarily spending your time on technology to help abate the COVID 19 pandemic, consider the experience of the vacuum cleaner company Dyson in the U.K. Company founder James Dyson estimates his firm spent about $25 million and about 10 days to develop a […]
It may become easier to disinfect with UV-C LEDs
UV radiation in the 200 to 300-nm range (dubbed the UV-C range) can destroy viruses, including the coronavirus. Problem is, doing so requires UV radiation sources putting out sufficiently high doses of UV light. That typically means using a relatively expensive mercury gas discharge lamp. It’s possible to find sources employing LEDs that put out […]
Mobile test gear captures multiple wireless bands
The ThinkRF RF Drive Test System is a complete, multiband, and versatile mobile testing solution employing a single piece of equipment, providing spectrum capturing, technology analysis, and I/Q storage. The RF Drive Test System Incorporates a ThinkRF R5750 Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer with GNSS (plus optional D4000 RF downconverter/tuner for performance up to 40 GHz), CelPlan […]
Unified power supply website has enhanced search and product pages
TDK-Lambda Americas has launched an upgraded website, combining ac-dc, dc-dc, programmable, high voltage and power supply accessories into one location. www.us.lambda.tdk.com can now be accessed using smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices without any loss of functionality. New features have been added to the website including enhanced searches by product part number, type, parameters and […]
Tachometer/auto-sync stroboscope combined in one compact instrument
The integration of an auto-sync laser function gives users two devices in one: a portable stroboscope and a digital handheld tachometer with laser measurement. The tachometer function can be used up to a distance of about 3 m. The laser beam is aimed at a reflection mark. The reflected beam triggers the receiver which is […]
OpenRoaming spec aims to simplify public-guest Wi-Fi connections
The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) today invited all organisations in the Wi-Fi ecosystem to join WBA OpenRoaming and become part of a globally available Wi-Fi federation that offers an automatic and secure connection of billions of devices to millions of Wi-Fi networks. WBA OpenRoaming provides a new global standards-led approach, removing public-guest Wi-Fi connectivity barriers […]
Tabletop enclosures provide -110 dB attenuation for EMI/RFI work
The SFI High Attenuation Frameless Enclosures guarantee more than -100 dB RF/EMI attenuation in a quick-setup tabletop enclosure. The frameless design allows a smaller footprint, easier storage, and guarantees high attenuation than the RF/EMI Shielded Tabletop Enclosure. These lightweight fabric enclosures are also quick and easy to break down, and store. SFI Frameless Enclosures are […]
PC-based scopes boast 5 GSa/sec real-time sampling and 4 GSa-deep memory
The 4-channel PicoScope 6000E Series 500-MHz oscilloscopes provide 8 to 12 bits of vertical resolution and up to 5 GSa/sec sampling rate with 4 GSa memory, allowing these scopes to display single-shot pulses with 200-psec time resolution. The three four-channel models added to the existing eight-channel 6000 series are the PicoScope 6403E with 300-MHz bandwidth […]