Matlab was released in 1984 by Mathworks, an American privately-held corporation whose other major product is the closely-related Simulink. Additionally, Mathworks offers close to 100 other programs, such as Polyspace, SimEvents and Stateflow. Matlab’s main focus is numerical computing, including matrix and algorithm operations, plotting of data and functions and creation of user interfaces. It […]
Test and Measurement Tips
Test and measurement with LabVIEW
LabVIEW is an awesome product created and maintained by National Instruments. It consists of systems engineering relating to test, measurement and control of instrumentation, devices and machinery, and it is currently used worldwide in numerous applications. Rather than endless lines of textual coding, LabVIEW has a simple graphic interface where devices such as an oscilloscope […]
Scopes support terabit research with real-time bandwidth to 110 GHz, 256 GSa/sec sample rate
The new Infiniium UXR series is the only oscilloscope series to support terabit research with real-time bandwidth up to 110 GHz industry-leading sample rate (256 GSa/sec) and signal integrity (lowest noise and jitter). As the demand for faster and more data continues to surge, digital speeds increase and consequently, margins decrease. Test equipment has struggled […]
Low-noise programmable, three-channel supplies designed for high-power circuits testing
The Keithley Series 2230G programmable, low-noise, three-channel power supplies deliver up to 375 W in a compact 2U high, half-rack-wide enclosure. They are designed for accuracy and low noise when testing high power, multi-voltage circuits such as LED drivers, automotive, and power-IC circuits. The power supplies’ three channels are isolated, independent and individually programmable with […]
Midrange mixed-signal scope first with 8-GHz bandwidth, 25 Gs/sec on four channels simultaneously
The 6 Series MSO mixed signal oscilloscope extends the performance threshold of midrange oscilloscopes to 8 GHz and delivers a 25 GS/sec sample rate simultaneously on all four channels – an industry first for this class of oscilloscope. Designers can accurately now view up to four high-speed signals at one time. For example, a DDR3 […]
Measuring signals on transmission lines
Reflections typically arise when a beam of light strikes a polished flat reflective body whose surface is perpendicular to the beam of light. Then the transmitted light minus loss in two-way transit, appears at the source. This is similar but not exactly equivalent to an electrical signal traveling through a conductive medium that has an […]
New mmWave radio heads target 5G NR research and system prototyping
Two series of new millimeter wave (mmWave) radio heads for the NI mmWave Transceiver System cover the spectrum from 24.5 GHz to 33.4 GHz and 37 GHz to 43.5 GHz. Both target wireless researchers prototyping 5G New Radio (NR) systems. As the first phase of 5G NR wraps up and the 3GPP finishes defining the […]
Spectrum and vector network analyzer works to 1.5 GHz, carries budget price
The new Model SVA1015X Spectrum and Vector Network Analyzer has frequency ranges from 9 kHz to 1.5 GHz, (VNA frequency range is 10 MHz – 1.5 GHz) and starts at $1,395. This next generation test instrument provides exceptional measurement precision with a wide range of RF measurement functions for RF device testing, broadcast evaluation, site […]
Wideband RF signal analyzers get HIL capabilities for radar, EW apps
IQFlow functions are now part of Tektronix RSA7100A wideband signal analysis instrumentation. This enhancement is said to deliver the speed and flexibility needed to perform real-time digital signal processing (DSP) and support hardware in the loop (HWIL or HIL) test for radar and electronic warfare (EW) systems. The RSA7100A’s real-time analysis for live monitoring of […]
A DIY vector network analyzer? Yes, there is such a thing
Believe it or not, there’s a do-it-yourself vector network analyzer that can be constructed with a few readily available parts which also can provide measurements accurate enough to be useful in professional work. The basis for the VNA is a chip from Mini-Circuits. Mini-Circuits president Ted Heil explained the ideas behind the DIY VNA in […]