Amateur astronomers like to build their own telescopes, sometimes to the point of even grinding the objective mirrors. This is doable, but involves purchasing the mirror blank plus various grades of grinding abrasives, polishing compounds and specialized tools. The lens must have a precise parabolic profile. It takes special test instruments to figure out whether […]
Test and Measurement Tips
Programmable ac/dc power sources provide up to 4,000 VA
Four new, single-phase ac or dc-output power sources handle ac and dc applications. These new products address a wide range of product development and test applications. Four models at power levels of 500 VA, 1,250 VA, 2,000 VA and 4, 000 VA are available. Output voltage is up to 310 Vac in ac mode for […]
Tool preps fiber-optic cable in multiple diameters
The innovative MSAT-X tool offers engineers unrivalled flexibility for cable preparation. The MSAT-X, part of the Miller range, is the first buffer tube shaver of its kind and is set to future-proof toolkits worldwide. The MSAT-X has been designed and manufactured to offer engineers unrivalled flexibility of use. The midspan tool can be used across […]
Tablet-based scopes feature bandwidths to 120 MHz, up to 14-bit resolution
The Owon TAO3000 Series 2/4 channel 8/14bit Tablet Oscilloscopes are handy portable scopes especially suited for field use. They offer 70, 100, or 120-MHz bandwidth and a 1 GSa/sec signal sampling rate, with a built-in 4 1/2 digit multimeter in the two-channel models. A huge 40 MSa record length allows for deep investigation into glitches […]
Linear dc supplies provide up to 20 A
The DP800 Series of Linear Benchtop dc Power Supplies now include new higher current models up to 20 A. The new DP800 models provide a programmable linear power supply with high current, low ripple, and high precision for many industries and applications such as optical communication module testing, chip and integrated circuit testing, semiconductor testing, […]
Measurements of air velocity, temperature, pressure and humidity combined in one instrument
The iQx instrument system is a device that measures air temperature and velocity, surface temperature, air pressure drop, and humidity. Measurements can be made concurrently or individually. The iQx system is equipped with input ports for up to eight air temperature/velocity sensors, four J type thermocouples, two pressure sensors and one humidity sensor. These can […]
PC-based VNAs get automated E-Cal, TRL/TRM calibration
The PicoVNA 108 8.5 GHz analyzer now includes automated E-Cal calibration and TRL/TRM calibration. The PicoVNA 108 achieves calibration automation through either male SMA or female SMA E-Cal modules. These are USB-powered and controlled to electronically select the various short, open, load and through reference standards as they are needed within the calibration process. You […]
Data logger optimized for monitoring cold chains down to -100°C
The MSR Electronics MSR86 is a compact, reusable temperature data logger that is equipped with an external sensor for covering the range of -100 to +150°C to allow continuous monitoring of storage and shipping temperatures for perishable goods. A built-in multifunction LCD display shows the current temperature reading as well as minimum, maximum, and average […]
What’s all this triplen harmonics stuff?
Unless your background is in ac power, it’s possible you haven’t run into the term triplen harmonic. Triplen harmonics have to do with the third harmonic. Even-numbered harmonics do not normally exist in power systems due to symmetry between the positive and negative halves of the ac cycle. It is the odd-numbered harmonics that engineers […]
RF signal generators cover 10 MHz to 18 GHz range
The Boonton SGX1000 RF Signal Generators are a new series of instruments that combine high performance RF signal generation capabilities with an intuitive user interface. They cover a frequency range from 10 MHz to 18 GHz to provide superior operational performance such as extremely fast frequency switching, phase noise figures as low as -123 dBc/Hz […]