Newton’s corpuscular theory of light was the accepted model of light propagation in the 17th and 18th centuries. The double-slit experiment, first performed by Thomas Young in 1801, seemed to revive the wave theory of light. In the modern version of this experiment, a coherent light source such as a laser is aimed at an […]
Test and Measurement Tips
Copper, fiber, PoE, Wi-Fi cable tester fits in a pocket
The LinkXpert cable testers include the LinkXpert TP (Twisted Pair) model for copper wires, as well as the LinkXpert M3 model for three media types: copper, fiber and Wi-Fi. LinkXpert cable testers offer game-changing convenience for end users, packing three media types — copper, fiber and Wi-Fi — into a single device roughly the size […]
When oscillators didn’t contain op amps
Examine a discrete oscillator circuit today and you’ll likely find an operational amplifier with components in a feedback loop that cause the oscillation. In many cases, oscillators implemented with op amps are updated versions of designs that formerly used odd-ball components such as neon bulbs and delay lines to get the required phase shift needed […]
Multiport USB hub sports transfer speeds up to 40 Gbits/sec, charges/syncs up to 10 USB 3.2 devices
The Cambrionix ThunderSync3-C10 Charge/Sync Hub is a Thunderbolt-certified hub which features 10 x USB Type-C connectors and offers 3-A (15 W) charging and USB 3.2 Gen 1 data for each connected device. It is claimed by Cambrionix to be the fastest Thunderbolt to USB Hub commercially available, with the ability to control and monitor each […]
RF test system handles Bluetooth Basic Rate, Extended Data Rate, LE technologies
The FRVS RF test system has been approved by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG), the governing body for Bluetooth technology, for testing Bluetooth Basic Rate (BR), Extended Data Rate (EDR) and Low Energy (LE) technologies. It is estimated by ABI Research and the Bluetooth SIG that about 4.5 billion Bluetooth enabled devices were […]
Scope test regime validates PCIe 6.0 standard transmitters
An oscilloscope software pack implements PCI Express 6.0 compatible Base transmitter tests. PCIe 6.0 is an important and scalable standard for data-intensive markets such as data center, artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), and high-performance computing. To meet ever growing performance demands, PCIe 6.0 standard transitions to PAM4 signaling and new innovative error correcting techniques. The Tektronix […]
What’s all this VNA calibration stuff?
In general, the electrical characteristics of circuits associated with high-frequency instruments vary significantly with time. Signal sources, receivers, and interconnections drift with vibrations, cable flexing, temperature, humidity, and so forth. That’s why vector network analyzers (VNAs) are only treated as being time-invariant over short time periods (a few hours). Thus a VNA must be calibrated […]
New CAN-USB/3-FD module handles data transfer with CAN or CAN FD
A CAN USB module from esd electronics now supports CAN FD. Data rates of up to 8 Mbit/sec can be transmitted via CAN FD and USB 2.0 with the USB 2.0 interface in use being designed for 480 Mbit/sec. The module has a solid and small aluminum housing with status LEDs in the front. It […]
Analyzer performs USB4 compliance tests
A USB4 compliance test option for the Voyager M4x analyzer and exerciser system can be used in conjunction with the USB Implementers Forum’s (USB-IF’s) USB4 Command Verifier (USB4-CV) software to generate traffic conditions and verify responses for the official USB4 logical, protocol, and tunneling layer compliance test specifications. USB4 combines the simplicity of the USB […]
New facility for over-the-air automotive testing
A new company called AeroGT Labs Corp. will provide OTA test and measurement products and offerings with a particular focus on the intelligent connected vehicles, consumer electronics, and satellite and terrestrial instruments segments and verticals. Located in Fremont, Calif., AeroGT is a joint venture by Over-the-Air (OTA) measurement firm General Test Systems (GTS) in China […]