Tektronix announced an open-source Python instrument driver package for the company’s test instruments. Available at no cost, the package provides you with a native Python user experience for instrument automation. With integration into daily workflows and utilizing it with a preferred Integrated Development Environment (IDE), engineers use features such as auto-complete, precise type hinting, comprehensive […]
Test and Measurement Tips
Audio analyzer combines analog and digital domains
The APx516B from Audio Precision comes with built-in analog I/O and a slot that adds wired or wireless digital I/O. With so many of today’s devices having audio capabilities, engineeers designing wired or wireless audio into a device need to verify audio quality. Audio Precision, well known for its audio analyzers, has introduced the APx516 […]
High-speed digitizers add pulse generation
After the successful introduction of the Digital Pulse Generator (DPG) option for its medium-speed products, Spectrum Instrumentation has now added the same feature to its ultrafast digitizers (with up to 10 GS/s speed) and Arbitrary Waveform Generators. Available for the entire product line, the low-cost $325 option adds three to four independent digital sources for […]
21-slot PXI chassis features 20 hybrid slots
The 42-927 PXI chassis from Pickering Interfaces saves test-rack space by accepting up to 20 PXI or PXIe instruments and switch cards. No matter how many instruments they hold, large, automated test systems always take up too much floor space. While test racks may have increased in density since the PXI bus was introduced in […]
How do I choose an electric motor, and how do I test it? Part 4
You indeed can measure three-phase power in a motor with just two wattmeters. Part 3 of this FAQ concluded with a simplified diagram showing a test setup that included a programmable power supply, a motor under test, a mechanical load, a power analyzer, and host computer. The programmable power supply could simulate the AC line […]
Moku product line enhanced with added instrument
Today, Liquid Instruments announced major updates for its flexible, FPGA-based Moku test and measurement products. The latest software release delivers numerous enhancements across the company’s three hardware products — from the flagship Moku:Pro to the workhorse Moku:Lab, and the portable Moku: Go — demonstrating the advantages of software-defined test equipment, which enables devices to get […]
How do I choose an electric motor, and how do I test it? Part 3
Motors follow the path of less reluctance to rotate. Thus, you need timing of applied power to get them moving. Part 1 and Part 2 of this FAQ looked at brushed and brushless DC motors, permanent-magnet and wound-rotor synchronous motors, and induction motors. These motors all have drawbacks, including mechanical wear of commutators, slip rings […]
R&S enters eight-channel oscilloscope game
The Rohde & Schwarz MXO 5 series of eight-channel and four-channel oscilloscopes feature fast capture and low-level triggering so you can see signal details.
How to use RF current probes for EMI: Part 2
In Part 2, you will learn how to use an RF current probe to calculate E-fields and troubleshoot EMI emissions from cables. Free and low-cost software tools let you customize the calculations based on your current probe’s data. As I mentioned in Part 1, RF current probes are one of my most useful troubleshooting tools. […]
How to use RF current probes for EMI: Part 1
DIY and commercial RF current probes let you find which cables act as EMI-emitting antennas. RF current probes are one of my most useful troubleshooting tools. Because most radiated emissions failures are due to attached cables acting as transmitting antennas, clamping an RF current probe around a wire or cable will measure the common mode […]
