Scope for Change Adding Variety to Test

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Scope For Change Adding variety to test

Strategy Shift Faster Data Test Challenge Open source – New logo heralds – AXIe digitisers – M2M/IoT need – Software platform new approach show the way new solutions for test applications Take your design To producTion

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04 CSP-BUYER-IBCport-210x297-UK.indd 1 02/10/2015 10:34 Contents

Mobile World Congress 2016 10 06 Industry test and measurement heavyweights are preparing for a big week for any company connected to the Mobile world. Keysight Technologies, Rohde & Schwarz and Anritsu will all present developments for 5G testing alongside other wireless test products.

New logo, new strategy 10 Tektronix is moving into 2016 with a new logo which heralds a change in its relationship with customers. Six brand principles have been introduced after extensive global research with customers and within the company. The company will now be looking at a collaborative approach based around customer applications

Customised applications with AXIe products 12 A partnership between Keysight Technologies with a company called 12 Scientific Equipment has produced a 64 synchronous, multichannel data acquisition system composed of eight M9703A AXIe 12-bit high-speed digitisers/wideband digital receivers in a 14-slot chassis.

Testing challenges for cellular M2M/IoT devices 16 Terms such as M2M (“machines talking to machines”) and IoT (“Internet of Things”) have started to invade our daily life, with short-range communication examples such as a watch communicating with a phone via Bluetooth or a Wi-Fi light bulb connected to a home router. 26 Similar machine-oriented concepts are also found in longer-range communications such as smart metering, security monitoring and so on.

4G is still evolving – LTE-Advanced 26 at Release 12 and beyond 32 The LTE/LTE-Advanced standard is continuing to grow and evolve, and new networks are still being rolled out. This article summarises the progress that has been achieved so far, and the leading-edge features that are still being added to 4G to satisfy the market need for ever-increasing data rates and capacity until 5G is ready to be deployed from 2020 onwards.

New Products 32 A round up of the latest products introduced onto the test and measurement market including the HDA125 High-speed Digital Analyser launched by Teledyne LeCroy which expands the capabilities of its oscilloscope range and a new, high-performance model of VirtualBench which has been introduced by National Instruments.

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electronicspecifier.com 3 Mobile World Congress 2016 Barcelona beckons with 5G test advances

essy Cavazos the Industry Director for Test and Measurement at Frost & Sullivan nailed Jit last year in a report looking at the changing dynamics in the test and measurement industry.

One of the most significant changes that will occur over the next 10 years is the move towards high-frequency applications that include 5G applications as well as others, such as automotive radars and WLAN applications at 60 GHz, she pointed out. Keysight Technologies will focus on high- performance design and test solution Today, a large part of market revenue is requirements of the multiple usage scenarios generated by applications that are below of 5G mobile communications. This includes 6 GHz. However, this will change in the enhanced mobile broadband, massive machine- future with the advent of 5G and other type communications and ultra-reliable and low technologies; this is a significant challenge latency communications. from a technological perspective for all market participants. This will become an even bigger The demonstrations will cover multiple challenge as the requirement increases for aspects of the enabling technologies, such as wider signal-bandwidth support in the wireless new waveforms, wideband micro-wave and communications and aerospace and defence millimeter-wave communications, and multiple- end-user industries. In addition to the technical antenna techniques such as Massive MIMO. challenges that high frequencies bring to market participants, there will also be the challenge of Anritsu will show developments for test and meeting costs. measurements of the new 5G air interface R&D, with practical examples including LTE-A At Mobile World Congress in Barcelona a coterie Pro scaled-up to 1GB/s. Rohde & Schwarz of test and measurement companies will be keen will demonstrate its role in 5G development to display how much progress they have made with three different test setups: 5G and WLAN to meeting these goals. All will feature 5G testing signals with bandwidths up to 2GHz, generation in their displays along with other required test and analysis of 5G air interface candidates and technologies for the woreless and mobile industries. 5G channel sounding.

4 electronicspecifier.com Global Oscilloscopes From 50 MHz to 4 GHz: Competitive Strategy Innovation and Powerful oscilloscopes Leadership Award

from the T&M expert. Visit us at Embedded World Fast operation, easy to use, precise measurements. in Nuremberg, ¸RTO: Analyze faster. See more. (Bandwidths: 600 MHz to 4 GHz) hall 4, booth 218 ¸RTE: Easy. Powerful. (Bandwidths: 200 MHz to 2 GHz) ¸RTM2000: Turn on. Measure. (Bandwidths: 200 MHz to 1 GHz) ¸HMO3000: Your everyday scope. (Bandwidths: 300 MHz to 500 MHz) ¸HMO Compact: Great Value. (Bandwidths: 70 MHz to 200 MHz) ¸HMO 1002: Great Value. (Bandwidths: 50 MHz to 100 MHz) ¸Scope Rider: 2 minutes to be sure. (Bandwidths: 60 MHz to 500 MHz) All Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscopes incorporate time domain, logic, protocol and frequency analysis in a single device. Take the dive at www.scope-of-the-art.com/ad/all

15351.022_ScopeFamily7_ElectrSpecifierDesign-Feb16_210x297_e.indd 1 29.01.16 10:48 Uhr Mobile World Congress 2016 3GPP and IoT a focus for Anritsu

At Mobile World Congress (MWC) • Developments for test and measurements of 2016 in Barcelona (Feb 22-25), Anritsu the new 5G air interface R&D, with practical will be demonstrating a range of examples including LTE-A Pro scaled-up to 1GB/s. key product and technologies in its test and measurement portfolio that • Testing the experimental new waveforms, mmW support the latest 3GPP and IoT measurements, OTA and massive MIMO test technology developments and network needs at the air interface, both the new 5G air deployments. In particular they will be interface, and evolution of LTE-A to the LTE-A focusing on some of the emerging test Pro standards of 3GPP Rel 14&15. and measurement issues within 5G, • RF and CPRI testers, optical transport network LTE-A Pro, Connected Home and M2M testing to support new C-RAN technology device testing. deployment, and also SDN and NFV transport network implementation, configuration and maintenance.

• Increased test requirements for both ultra-high speed broadband and enhanced Machine Type Communications (eMTC) requiring the latest UE technology running on the leading MD8430A/ RTD test platform solution, and also the unique applications and connectivity testing methods of the MD8475A.

key discussion point in the mobile industry, and especially in the test and A measurement segment, will be the emergence of new technologies to enable the next generation 5G networks. Although much of the headline discussion is on the implementation of a new air interface, the 5G network will have an impact across the whole “end to end” network and service domains. Anritsu will be addressing the following;

6 electronicspecifier.com Mobile World Congress 2016 Keysight sets out 5G agenda

The latest communications design and test solutions, along with leading edge 5G wireless simulation and test solutions will be shown by Keysight Technologies at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (Feb22-25). The Keysight demonstrations will focus on high-performance design and test solution requirements of the multiple usage scenarios of 5G mobile communications. – the solution offers 8 channels of wide band stimulus and measurement in a single 5 slot AXIe chassis solution. Modulation analysis This includes enhanced mobile broadband, and beam weighting algorithms developed in massive machine-type communications and ultra- SystemVue and deployed into the M9703A reliable and low latency communications. FPGA using the integrated design flow in the SystemVue FPGA Architect. The demonstrations will cover multiple aspects of the enabling technologies, such as new • Latest mmWave design validation and waveforms, wideband micro-wave and millimeter- manufacturing solutions for 802.11ad wave communications, and multiple-antenna characterisation. techniques such as Massive MIMO. Keysight will also be showing the UXM The company will exhibit the following Wireless Test Set – 1 Gbps end to end IP data breakthrough 5G and 802.11ad solutions at the testing with higher order MIMO and Carrier show. Aggregation; executing the leading edge of high-speed downloads with LTE-A Pro using • Multi-channel mmWave OTA testing with three component carriers including 4x4 MIMO S-Series Oscilloscope and M1971E waveguide and 2x2 MIMO. The test set also features 1.6 mixers - quasi-optics radio propagation at 73 Gbps data rates via four component carriers with GHz solution using advantages of remote heads 4x4 downlink MIMO, as well as support for five with standard baseband equipment mmWave component carriers in two UXMs. channel behaviour in presence of blockage, scatters, different polarization of the horn The UXA Signal Analyser will be on show in antennas, etc. Barcelona. It offers end-to-end wideband 5G and millimetre wave generation and analysis • Real-time beamforming measurement with an solution, including industry-leading performance M9703A digitiser, M8195A AWG, SystemVue enhancements with integrated analysis bandwidth W 1462 FPGA architect and W1906 5G library of 1 GHz at millimetre-wave frequencies.

electronicspecifier.com 7 Mobile World Congress 2016 Rohde & Schwarz features radio comms test Rohde & Schwarz will showcase its innovations at two booths. Solutions for device and infrastructure testing can be found at booth C40 in hall 6. At booth B50 in the same hall, Rohde & Schwarz and subsidiary SwissQual will present the latest developments in mobile network testing and also present cybersecurity solutions.

he everyday applications of wireless technologies go far beyond mobile phones, Ttablets and computers. LTE-Advanced is enabling applications with ever increasing bandwidth, and the next generation of wireless communications (5G) is on the horizon.

Highlights in Barcelona include the R&S CMW500 wideband radio communication For the steadily growing number of Bluetooth tester (pictured) designed to drive applications, the R&S CMW platform offers development of enhanced mobile bandwidth outstanding measurement functions for RF applications based on LTE-Advanced. integration of Bluetooth chipsets and modules Comprehensive RF, protocol and end to as well as RF precertification tests. end tests are available for the tester. The latest features include 64QAM uplink, LTE- Conformance and pre-compliancetest systems Unlicensed and 4CC downlink CA with 256 from Rohde & Schwarz are well established QAM and 1Gb/s data throughput. in test houses and in house test labs. In Barcelona, the company will focus on LTE U Manufacturers have to ensure quality of with its R&S TS8980 RF conformance test experience (QoE) for voice, audio, video and system. location based services when designing chipsets and mobile devices. Rohde & Schwarz offers On the way to 5G, it is becoming clear support with test solutions for video streaming, that this next generation will unlock new voice over Wi-Fi and co-existence of cellular and frequency bands in the microwave and non-cellular technologies. millimetre wave ranges for commercial wireless communications. The R&S CMW290 functional radio communication tester is a tailor made solution Rohde & Schwarz will demonstrate its role for cellular IoT tests and meets the special in 5G development with three different test requirements of IoT integrators. It covers cellular setups: 5G and WLAN signals with bandwidths technologies such as LTE as well as Wi-Fi and up to 2GHz, generation and analysis of 5G air Bluetooth. interface candidates and 5G channel sounding.

8 electronicspecifier.com Redefining Automated Test with open software and modular hardware

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Austria 43 662 457990 0 n Belgium 32 (0) 2 757 0020 n Czech Republic, Slovakia 420 224 235 774 n Denmark 45 45 76 26 00 Finland 358 (0) 9 725 72511 n France 33 (0) 8 20 20 0414 n Germany 49 89 7413130 n Hungary 36 23 448 900 n Ireland 353 (0) 1867 4374 Israel 972 3 6393737 n Italy 39 02 41309277 n Netherlands 31 (0) 348 433 466 n Norway 47 (0) 66 90 76 60 n Poland 48 22 328 90 10 Portugal 351 210 311 210 n Russia 7 495 783 6851 n Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia 386 3 425 42 00 Spain 34 (91) 640 0085 n Sweden 46 (0) 8 587 895 00 n Switzerland 41 56 2005151 n UK 44 (0) 1635 517300

©2015 National Instruments. All rights reserved. LabVIEW, National Instruments, NI, and ni.com are trademarks of National Instruments. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies. 23182

23182 Redefining_Automated_Test_Ad 210x297 euro.indd 1 22/10/2015 12:03 Company strategy New logo heralds Tektronix

applications move By Mick Elliott

t is of course an iconic logo, it has been part of The move to a new the electronics industry since 1946. And now it modus operandi has Iis being replaced by a new logo, something that not come out of the suggests faster, stronger. Not an easy decision for blue. Pat Byrne CEO of Tektronix and his management team, but important in terms of how they intend “This hasn’t been a to take the test and measurement heavyweight knee jerk, immediate forward. process,” says Farrell. “We talked to 1200 It is not just about the logo. It is about how customers worldwide Applications focus: Tektronix will go to market, how it will liaise with and undertook 200 Dave Farrell of Tektronix customers, how it will collaborate with customers. internal interviews The days of a sales person meeting a customer, with employees. These provided the catalyst for a selling them an instrument and saying “Here’s to brand refocus in line with our vision.” the next time” as they leave are over. “We need to eliminate barriers. Our customers Customers work to a more hectic schedule where innovate, Farrell asserts. “Very few are working time to market rules. They are integrating their on designs the world already knows about or are products at a faster rate too, and they want their updating current designs.” suppliers of test and measurement equipment to follow suit. “So we looked at refocusing Tektronix and moving the company from a products focus to an Tektronix has noted the trend and it is adapting to applications focus.” meet customer expectations. Out of the customer feedback and internal As Dave Farrell, Vice President Commercial contributions Tektronix created six brand Operations, EMEA for Tektronix points out “The principles. legacy for Tektronix is in oscilloscopes. The company prided itself on having the best A/D “Number one is Simplicity,” says Farrell. “We got converter. We would go into customers confidently the message from customers loud and clear. They with datasheet comparisons. All great, but the are searching for a solution. They want simple world moves on.” explanations and solutions, no complexity.”

Customers care less about the spec of an “Number two is Collaboration. Now we look to instrument and now for example want to know the get into customers early in the design cycle. We answer to the question – “how can you best help want to work with them at the front end of their me move to testing USB 3.1 applications? Oh and product cycle to provide a (test and measurement) by the way I’d like the answer in days not weeks.” solution.”

10 electronicspecifier.com Company strategy

Out with the old In with the new

“Number three is Integration. Customers The new applications driven approach are integrating products at a rapid pace,” encompasses all constituencies within Tektronix. asserts Farrell. “Let’s say we get an approach from a research “They expect the same from the test and institute looking to contribute to a particular measurement equipment we provide. Now market or technology inflexion,” explains Farrell. they are looking for two, three, four instruments “We will engage at an early stage with an across integrated into a single piece of test equipment.” functions collaboration. We may not know exactly what the customer needs. We will pull together a Precision is next on the list for Farrell. “This collaboration that will include our Chief Technology connects with the heritage and culture of Officers applications engineers and sales Tektronix,” he observes. “We pride ourselves on engineers to provide the solution.” the accuracy of our products, you could argue in the past we over specified! But it what customers That information can also be fed back to Tektronix have come to expect from Tektronix and we will research and development teams to guide their deliver it.” thinking.

Insight is the fifth brand principle. “Around the Last year Tektronix announced it had outfitted applications we target, whatever the customers a new optical and wireless communications expectations we will deliver it. “ innovation laboratory at the University of Lille in France with the latest Tektronix high-speed test “So for example we may have a customer solutions.The laboratory will focus on coherent buying a £10,000 to £20,000 piece of test kit optical and THz wireless transceiver technology for a PCI Express Generation 2 application. research while also making its facilities available It’s not new to us, but for a new customer to external companies working to develop high- it can be scary. We ensure we give them speed optical and wireless technologies. The new maximum insight in how to make their process facility is named The Tektronix European Optical a success,” Farrell explains. and Wireless Innovation Laboratory.

“We will support this customer and give as much “Pushing data rates over PB/s is major challenge insight as we will to a customer moving towards that requires the best of the best,” said Nathalie cutting edge PCI Express Generation4. We will Rolland, IRCICA director. “For this new lab, have the answers to their questions.” IRCICA brings its expertise in modelling, optical characterisation and state-of-the-art active and Number six is Velocity. “Product life cycles, design passive fibres manufacturing while Tektronix cycles are much shorter now,” contends Farrell. brings its industry leading next generation test equipment that will enables us to quantify signal “Speed to market is essential.” quality in terms of BER, EVM and eye diagrams.”

electronicspecifier.com 11 Data acquisition Customised applications with AXIe products By Jean-Luc Lehmann, Product Manager for High-Speed Digitisers – Keysight Technologies By providing innovative solutions that realise multichannel synchronization, high-speed ADC technology aims to simplify data acquisition systems and push the limits of processing speed. Keysight Technologies recently introduced a 64 synchronous, multichannel data acquisition system composed of eight M9703A AXIe 12-bit high-speed digitisers/wideband digital receivers in a 14-slot chassis (Figure 1).

he system was developed by Keysight in partnership with Scientific Equipment Tcompany who involved IPrium to build a complete solution for an enterprise leader in satellite telecommunication systems, whose main requirements were for multichannel synchronisation and a FPGA programming capability.

The multichannel multi-board synchronisation for this application was enabled by two key factors: a common clock reference distributed to each module that ensured synchronous clocking of each ADC channel, and a dedicated multi-board synchronisation infrastructure that allowed for phase coherency of each Digital Down Conversion (DDC) Local Oscillator (LO). Dedicated control FPGA The synchronous clocking capability stemmed from the use of a dedicated time-base design that uses a unique Figure 1. Shown here is a highly dense, 64 synchronous multi-channel data acquisition system with unique phase coherency. It’s composed of eight M9703A Keysight IC distribution clock to deliver 12-bit AXIe high-speed digitisers in a M9514A 14-slot AXIe chassis.

12 electronicspecifier.com Data acquisition

an ADC sample clock de-skewing capability with only 25 fs of added jitter. Phase coherency of the DDC LO was managed via a dedicated control FPGA. It allows for system synchronisation of all DPU FPGA located on a single module, and with the control FPGAs of all adjacent modules.

With an on-board FPGA, it is possible to implement dedicated real-time data processing that minimises data transfer volumes and speeds analysis time. To respond to the customer’s need for dedicated Figure 2. Simplified block diagram of M9703A AXIe Digitiser. processing, including both DDC and beamforming capabilities, dedicated AXIe-Enabled Solution FPGA firmware was developed using The 64-multichannel data acquisition system was the Keysight U5340A FPGA Development in many ways enabled by AXIe. AXIe products Kit (FDK). and, in particular the M9703A, provide the ideal infrastructure to implement a beamforming The system functionality relies both on application across multiple AXIe modules. This is the real-time signal processing capability accomplished by leveraging the AXIe local bus of the on-board FPGA and on the multipoint-to-point data transfer capability. The AXIe board scalability of the point-to-point inter- Timing Interface and AXIe Trigger bus provide FPGA data link infrastructure provided the channel synchronisation infrastructure, by the M9703A. With this scalability, the sharing the AXIe CLK100 reference clock to each 64-channel configuration could potentially M9703A and the AXIe SYNC synchronisation be extended up to 104 channels by simply signal. And, thanks to the multiple AXIe chassis increasing the number of M9703A modules available, a large degree of system scalability, within the AXIe chassis. ranging from 16 channels up to 104 can

electronicspecifier.com 13 Data acquisition

theoretically be provided.

In addition to these benefits, modular solutions based on AXIe products are extremely compact, which means that the size of the overall solution can be reduced, while allowing for more acquisition channels. With its innovative design, the Keysight 64- multichannel data acquisition system features eight Figure 3. This system block diagram emphasises the added value of the AXIe local bus, which synchronises digitisers within one the eight M9703A AXIe digitisers and enables inter FPGA communication for beamforming. chassis (Figure 3).

Channel data acquisition • One M9514A AXIe 14-Slot chassis that “The key element of this system is the AXIe provides 13 instrument modules slots plus an multi-channel, multi-board synchronisation AXIe system slot. capability, which makes a high-speed, multi- • One M9521A AXIe system module that provides channel data acquisition with customized, the required system communication and real-time signal processing and unique phase synchronisation functions. coherency possible,” said Pierre-François Maistre, R&D project manager at Keysight FPGA Custom Design Technologies. “We have already validated this Keysight’s 64-channel modular system represents 64-channel data acquisition system according an important achievement in the design of to our customer’s requirements and are now customised applications with AXIe products. looking at increasing it to 104 channels.” As Danil Shendrik, member of the IPrium design The 64-channel modular system is composed of: team that customised the application for the • Eight M9703A AXIe 8-channel, 12-bit high- final client, explains, “Our task was to implement speed digitisers/wideband digital receivers able a 64-channel receiver with the ability to select to capture signals from DC up to 2 GHz at 1.6 the band-of-interest from DC to 400MHz and GS/s. bandwidth from 50kHz to 50MHz. The specific • One U5340A FPGA development kit that challenge of this project was to combine the provides a complete environment for the data of all 64 channels with precise amplitude deployment of real-time, user defined signal and phase control. The M9703A wideband processing algorithms on high-speed digitisers. digitiser is a powerful solution for multi-channel

14 electronicspecifier.com Data acquisition

digital signal processing and, equipped with the U5340A FPGA development kit, allowed us to develop and deploy a complex custom design in very short time period. With the M9703A digitiser, U5340A and IPrium DDC, we managed to create a 64-channel system that met our customer’s requirements without any Figure 4. This block diagram shows the IPrium FPGA custom design implementation. compromise,” (Figure4).

FPGA development kit environment for the design, verification This multichannel data acquisition system and implementation of IP processing with customised, real-time signal processing algorithms, allowing the development of a and unique phase coherency represents complex custom design. This combined an important step towards data reduction hardware, software and people know-how and storage to be carried out at the represents a fast and integrated solution to digitiser level. Furthermore, the U5340A our customer’s requirements in one modular FPGA development kit is a complete and scalable system.

Fairchild_SPM_190x136mm.indd 1 12/18/15 4:58 PM Communications Test Testing challenges for cellular M2M/IoT devices By Francois Ortolan, Regional Wireless Specialist, Anritsu

Terms such as M2M (“machines talking to machines”) and IoT (“Internet of Things”) have started to invade our daily life, with short-range communication examples such as a watch communicating with a phone via Bluetooth or a Wi-Fi light bulb connected to a home router. Similar machine-oriented concepts are also found in longer-range communications such as smart metering, security monitoring and so on.

Low-power wide-area networks

Because of the challenges in implementing machine communications in existing cellular networks, the industry is moving towards dedicated systems aiming to achieve five main goals: • Long battery life • Reduced device cost • Reduced deployment • Support for a massive number of devices optimised for M2M. As a result, we are seeing • Extended coverage. a new stage in the standardisation process known as Machine Type Communication This new class of network is now known as (MTC) (Fig.2). low-power wide-area (LPWA) networks, and is currently moving in two main directions (Fig.1). M2M/IoT cellular The first includes proprietary solutions such as standardisation SigFox or Lora which will require the deployment of new infrastructure on unlicensed bands. The true deployment of LPWA systems The other main direction is the evolution of the must await the deployment by operators of existing cellular infrastructure on licensed bands. the new capabilities (Rel-12/Rel-13) in their networks and the re-allocation of spectrum The main challenge to the adoption of LPWA for MTC use, something that is unlikely to is providing a LPWA architecture that is truly happen until 2016-17.

16 electronicspecifier.com Communications Test

Fig.1. List of main technologies for low-power wide-area (LPWA) networks

In the meantime, Category 1 LTE chipsets optimisation technique known as power are emerging on the market to cover some saving mode (PSM/Rel-12) can be M2M needs. Category 1 is limited to 10 implemented. Mbit/s, but is an important step towards the LTE-enabled Internet of Things (Fig.3). More battery savings Category “LTE-M” provides the further The first wave of LPWA cellular devices is optimisation introduced in Rel-13. It aims to known as Category 0, and is expected in further reduce complexity with more battery early 2016. The first significant work on savings, while also including enhanced standardisation was done in rel-12 (2014) coverage. under the initiative “low cost MTC”. When considered together, Rel-12 and Rel-13 The aim is to achieve the same cost, optimisation could save up to 75% cost over the complexity and power consumption as a 2G non-MTC LTE device baseline. module while achieving higher throughput by: With improved protocol procedures, the lifetime • Reducing the device cost and complexity of an IoT device running on an AA or AAA by using one antenna instead of two. battery can be extended from days to years. • Reducing the maximum peak rate to 1 Mbit/s. • Switching to half duplex operation in FDD (frequency division duplex).

To further increase battery life, a protocol Fig.2. Different tracks in the cellular world for supporting machine communication

electronicspecifier.com 17 Communications Test

Fig.3. Evolution of MTC devices in cellular networks

Increasing coverage focusing on the following areas: LTE-M devices optimised for low cost, • A new type of RF test based on the especially in rel-13 where output power is reduction to one antenna that would reduced, will suffer from reduced coverage. impact the sensitivity and reduce the As a result, rel-13 introduces a number potential coverage. of coverage enhancement features which • Performance testing to ensure that bring an additional 15 dB to the link budget, the maximum throughput of 1 Mbit/s enabling about seven times better area is achieved despite power-saving coverage. optimisation. • Radio resource management and protocol, Release 13 also specifies NB-IoT, a new which are also deeply impacted due to type of devices using new modulation the new power saving modes. The device schemes and bringing even more cost should still be reachable even when it savings by further reducing the bandwidth wakes up after a long “sleep”. to 180 kHz. Functional testing Together NB-IoT and LTE-M enable diverse Usually, a systems integrator will use a pre- applications with higher capacity on LTE-M, certified chipset or modules to facilitate the and slightly lower cost and better coverage development of their product. During the on NB-IoT. integration phase, even though the chipset behaviour is trusted, it is desirable to carry Testing challenges out functional testing in order to troubleshoot Normally, 3GPP defines the specifications potential issues. Typically, testing focuses and a regional body provides certifications on the hardware integration (antenna, (GCF/PTCRB etc.). Once certified, the board design, battery supply etc.) or on the chipset module can then be integrated into protocol/application level (wake-up times, devices. server connection etc.).

3GPP conformance currently defines new One of the main functional testing types of testing for MTC category 0 devices techniques is to use regression testing,

18 electronicspecifier.com Communications Test

which means that, for each hardware or software test, the integrator runs a range of test cases to check that overall performance is not degraded.

For LPWA devices, typical functional tests include: Fig.4. Automated testing of cellular IoT power consumption • Hardware: battery using the Anritsu MD8475A network simulator testing; sensitivity and physical throughput wake-up; server connection (cloud testing storage); application throughput testing. • Protocol testing: device reachability (paging) and acquisition time; mobile Network simulators such as the Anritsu operator specific requirements (carrier MD8475A allow users to test the hardware acceptance testing) and the applications in a reproducible and • Application testing: application initiated controlled environment (Fig.4).

ew16_190x130_Electronic_Specifier_Test_SYN.indd 1 21.01.16 12:13 Multi-purpose instruments Blurring the boundary between bench and field measurement

By Dr Markus Herdin, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Rohde & Schwarz

Technology megatrends are blurring the boundaries between field and lab based measurements. For example, the growth of the Internet of Things has led to complex electronic devices with sophisticated communications interfaces often installed in remote locations. The same engineer is often called upon to look at the power circuit supporting the system, the communications system that connects it and the functionality of the system itself. Troubleshooting these and other systems in the field often requires a variety of measurement functions.

n the past, this would have required at least a universal tool for debugging embedded five separate instruments: scope, a logic designs in the lab as well as for analysing Ianalyser, a protocol analyser, a data logger complex problems in the field. for long-term monitoring of readings and a digital voltmeter. The instruments available to With a base bandwidth of 60 MHz the field service team traditionally would be (expandable to 500 MHz), a sampling rate inferior in terms of performance and functionality of 5 Gsample/s and the functionality of a lab to benchtop models. There was a trade- oscilloscope, the Scope Rider is ideal for all off between portability – a compact, rugged applications where both a portable, rugged battery powered instrument, and the number oscilloscope and the performance of a lab and accuracy of the measurement functions oscilloscope are needed. available. Specially designed front-end and 10-bit Debugging embedded designs A/D converter components ensure the Rohde & Schwarz has turned that thinking highest degree of sensitivity and precision on its head. The R&SScope Rider, the in the signal display, equal to that of a lab company’s first handheld oscilloscope is a lab instrument. The input sensitivity range oscilloscope with the size and ruggedness extends from 2 mV/div to 100 V/div, of a battery-powered handheld device. permitting up to 200 V offset compensation, An integrated logic analyser (Fig. 1) and which is especially important when analysing advanced measurement functions make it power electronics modules.

20 electronicspecifier.com Multi-purpose instruments

Easy operation via touchscreen

A key challenge with multifunction handheld instruments is making sure that all of its functionality is quickly and easily accessible to the user - often working in less than ideal conditions, perhaps wearing gloves.

A touch screen is the ideal Fig 1: The R&S Scope Rider is the first handheld oscilloscope to offer a digital logic interface (mixed solution, allowing the interface signal oscilloscope) and triggering and decoding of serial protocols. to be updated so that the user is only offered relevant options at any point- but in most cases. Last but not least, the intuitive is hard to operate with gloved hands, and can user operation is supported by the 13 languages be hard to see in less than ideal light levels. available for menu entries.

The Scope Rider essentially has two user The one-touch documentation feature interfaces: a touchscreen, plus a keypad and makes it exceedingly simple to save a day’s a multifunctional rotary knob. The oscilloscope measurements for later documentation. can be completely touchscreen or keypad Screenshots, measurement data and operated. configuration files are saved to the integrated SD card or to a USB flash drive by simply pressing a The keys operate on a simple principle: button and can later be transferred to the PC for pressing a key once enables the corresponding documentation or further analysis. measurement function and pressing the key a second time disables the function. Pressing and Crucial issue of safety holding a key opens the setup menu for that Safety is another crucial issue in hand held measurement function. The resulting operation is oscilloscope design. A common application so efficient that deep menu levels are rendered is checking and maintaining electrical drives, unnecessary. power electronics or the electrical power supply to industrial installations. Measurement results Special care was also taken in the development When using conventional oscilloscopes with a of the graphical user interface (Fig. 2). Colour- common ground wire, inadvertently switching coded channel indicators make it easy to the ground and signal wires between two input allocate measurement results to the appropriate channels would immediately lead to a short input channels. Measurement results are easy to circuit and dangerously high currents. read thanks to a font selected for its readability. Measurement and trigger functions as well as Isolated input channels eliminate this risk. all other settings are explained using icons, The differential functionality of the isolated eliminating the need to open the user manual channels provides an additional advantage. This

electronicspecifier.com 21 Multi-purpose instruments

Fig. 2: The carefully crafted user interface usually makes it unnecessary to open the manual.

can mean the elimination of expensive active voltage peaks that the measuring instrument differential probes in many applications requiring must withstand without damage while ensuring differential measurements. the safety of the user.

The oscilloscope’s interface unit containing the digital logic interface and the USB and LAN ports is galvanically isolated from the instrument and from the input channels. This makes it possible to contact higher voltages without risk via the analog measurement channels and to simultaneously analyse digital control signals or remotely control the instrument via LAN (Fig. 3).

An instrument’s measurement category and certified maximum RMS voltage are important safety considerations for an instrument that is used to measure hazardous live Fig 3:: The isolated input channels prevent short circuits caused by inadvertent swapping of ground voltages. These determine the and signal wires at two oscilloscope inputs. Power electronics measurements can be performed safely.

22 electronicspecifier.com Multi-purpose instruments

The Scope Rider was developed for the highest measurement category, CAT IV, and allows measurement of voltages up to 600 V (RMS) in a CAT IV environment or up to 1000 V (RMS) in a CAT III environment.

For dangerous or unpleasant measurement situations, such as occur during high voltage testing or in environmental test labs, the instrument is equipped with a WLAN module. It uses this module to create its own WLAN hotspot. The measurement can be operated directly from the web browser on a notebook, tablet or mobile phone (Fig. 4). Making rare faults visible without triggering The vision, though was not just to build an instrument that was easy to use and safe, but also one that matched benchtop instrument performance. For example, a high acquisition rate is especially important when dealing with an unclear fault pattern. Fig. 4: In potentially dangerous applications, the Scope Rider can be operated It ensures that unexpected and via WLAN directly from a web browser. infrequently occurring signal faults, such as sporadic interference in clock Scope Rider achieves an acquisition rate of signals, are visible without explicit triggering up to 50 000 signal waveforms per second, on the fault state – something that often is not which clearly places it in the lab instrument possible without advance knowledge of the class. Comparable handheld oscilloscopes fault signal. manage only up to 100 acquisitions per second and cannot display sporadic faults By using a dual-core-on-a-chip system, the without explicit triggering.

electronicspecifier.com 23 Multi-purpose instruments

Fig. 5: Two base models are available: the two-channel instrument with additional multimeter channel or the four-channel instrument with digital voltmeter functionality for the oscilloscope channels (shown)

The powerful triggering system simplifies the Conclusion analysis of complex signal waveforms. Fourteen With more than four hours of battery different trigger types – more than offered runtime, the 2.4 kg R&S Scope Rider by many benchtop models – make targeted offers users a high degree of flexibility acquisition and analysis of signal components during installation, maintenance and possible. in emergency situations. The new handheld oscilloscope goes beyond Advanced trigger functions traditional electrical engineering to In addition to typical trigger types such as edge, serve a broad range of industries. glitch and pulse width, the instrument can also be equipped with advanced trigger functions, Technicians and specialists including runt trigger, video trigger for analog can also use it to gain a clear and digital video systems, slew rate trigger and understanding of the condition of protocol trigger. electrical installations, systems and components. For everything from The fully digital implementation of the trigger measurement data acquisition in system eliminates the need for a separate industrial and manufacturing settings analogue trigger path, which increases trigger to repairing shipboard electrical drives jitter, or for a downstream software trigger that and carrying out vehicle test drive can miss trigger events due to its inherent blind analyses, the R&S Scope Rider is time. Instead, the Scope Rider trigger system better suited to the needs of such provides continuous monitoring of the input tasks than any other oscilloscope signal for all trigger types. in its class.

24 electronicspecifier.com It always helps to have a running start. Proven Keysight Reference Solutions will put you in the lead every time.

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Keysight_PXI_and_AXIe_PE_ELECSPEC.indd 1 22/10/2015 18:10 Network performance 4G is still evolving – LTE-Advanced at release 12 and beyond By Nicola Logli, Ngwa Shusina and Phil Medd, Cobham Wireless

With all the current hype about 5G, one might be forgiven for thinking that 4G is a mature technology and about to start declining. In actual fact – staying true to its full name (Long Term Evolution) – the LTE/LTE-Advanced standard is continuing to grow and evolve, and new networks are still being rolled out. This article summarises the progress that has been achieved so far, and the leading-edge features that are still being added to 4G to satisfy the market need for ever-increasing data rates and capacity until 5G is ready to be deployed from 2020 onwards.

hen LTE was first introduced it used To date carrier aggregation has been just a single 20MHz carrier, and its implemented using both two carriers (2CC) Wperformance fell substantially short of and three carriers (3CC), and also by the IMT targets for 4G in real world scenarios. combining time-division duplexing (TDD) These targets only began to be met when and frequency-division duplexing (FDD) LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) features were spectrum. progressively added under the 3G Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 10, and then later Recently Ericsson and China Mobile Hong Releases 11 and 12. The main enhancements Kong demonstrated peak download speeds that have been incorporated into LTE-A are of 272Mbps in a live LTE-A network, using summarised in Figure 1, and key ones are Cobham Wireless TM500 network testers described below. one 15 MHz FDD-LTE block in the 2.6GHz band was aggregated with two TDD-LTE Non-contiguous bandwidths blocks (20MHz + 10MHz) in the 2.3GHz Carrier Aggregation (CA) combines blocks band. Several carrier aggregation application of spectrum known as component carriers scenarios are possible – using one frequency (CC), enabling the use of fragmented to increase coverage and another to boost spectrum to increase data rates. In addition the data rate; using both frequencies to to using multiple component carriers with increase cell throughput; or using one bandwidths up to 20MHz, there is also the frequency to provide macro coverage and ability to aggregate smaller non-contiguous a higher frequency to boost throughput in bandwidths. hotspots.

26 electronicspecifier.com Network performance

Figure 1: Summary of main LTE-A features added at 3GPP Releases 10, 11 and 12 Spectral efficiency Higher Order MIMO (HOM) allows increased cost equipment than using traditional backhaul spectral efficiency, in terms of bps per Hz, to and a second macrocell. The use of relays is be achieved, and is again a hardware upgrade. effectively a trade-off of macrocell capacity in Several clever schemes in uplink and downlink favour of achieving greater coverage. are possible, for both single- and multi-user. MIMO requires multiple antennas to be used Optimising network behaviour on both base stations and user devices eight Self-Organising/Self-Optimising Networks (SON) streams require eight separate antennas on the enables the efficient use of heterogeneous device. In practice other LTE-A enablers are networks (HetNets) while reducing OPEX likely to deliver initial efficiency improvements at (by introducing the possibility of constantly lower cost and complexity than HOM. optimising network behaviour to the operative scenario and reducing the need for human Relay backhaul intervention). Relays are a cost-effective means of extending coverage in areas where wired backhaul is A HetNet is a mixed network that includes small uneconomical, by connecting a repeater unit cells to improve the coverage and capacity that amplifies and forwards the mobile signal provided by traditional macro base stations. between the base station and the mobile unit. Several small cells can be distributed within the The relay backhaul appears just the same area covered by a macrocell, sharing the same as normal user equipment (UE) to the donor frequency bands, to fill in the gaps in coverage macrocell. Relays permit fast rollout, with lower- and to provide extra capacity.

electronicspecifier.com 27 Network performance

Figure 2: 256 QAM is one of the latest Release 12 features already supported by the TM500 network

Some elements of SON, such as CGI In Release 10 this scheme was extended reporting and Automatic Neighbour to include time domain management of the Recognition (ANR), were introduced as interference. This is called eICIC (enhanced early as Release 8, with RLF enhancements ICIC), which is much more effective for users added in Release 9. But it is LTE-A that in close proximity to a small cell. has really made it work by introducing X2 interface exchange of information; improved eICIC is designed to improve cell edge interference coordination between cells; load performance and coverage in HetNet balancing; Minimization of Drive Test (MDT); deployment scenarios where nodes of different self-healing; and energy saving. types – macrocells, small cells and remote radio heads (RRH) have coverage areas that partially Radio resource management overlap, and differs from ICIC in that it is not Interference Management (IM) is another transparent to the mobile handset or UE (User software-upgradeable LTE-A feature, which Equipment). enables increased area spectral efficiency (measured in bps per Hz/km2) to be achieved. Almost blank subframes 3GPP Releases 8 and 9 introduced ICIC (Inter- eICIC requires coordination between each Cell Interference Coordination) to reduce of the network nodes that communicate interference at the cell edges by using radio with each other through the X2 interface. resource management (RRM) techniques in In a typical application, a macrocell whose the frequency domain – using an autonomous coverage area overlaps with that of one scheduler to dynamically distribute bandwidth or more small cells can coordinate its and power resources between cell users. transmissions with these nodes.

28 electronicspecifier.com Network performance

This allows it to reduce the interference expected user experience, and this is slowing caused to the UEs belonging to these cells in HetNet deployment. certain subframes, by limiting the macrocell transmissions to DL Common Reference Signal One of the primary reasons for this is poor (CRS) alone, with no data, during certain cell-edge performance due to the lack of traffic subframes – these are called Almost Blank coordination and interference management Subframes (ABS). between small cells and macrocells. CoMP improves on the use of IM, by coordinating This results in the UEs seeing lower interference transmission and reception between different at the cell edge of the microcell or picocells, and transmitting and receiving cells. gives the microcell or picocells the opportunity to perform a “cell range expansion” (CRE) It achieves this through the use of load to increase the coverage area during these balancing, coordinated scheduling, and the subframes, and to allow load balancing by management of signal power and interference. providing the opportunity to offload UEs from In the downlink, each mobile terminal sees the macrocell to the picocell. improved data throughput, especially near the cell edges, due to reduced interference and an Testing a network employing eICIC means that increase in received power. the network tester must be able to apply the relevant UE measurement procedures in order to Realistic performance tests feed back correct and reliable information to the Similarly, for the uplink, received signal network. quality and cell-edge coverage is improved by simultaneous coordinated reception from The Cobham Wireless TM500 network tester different receiving points on the network side. family can be used to verify the correlation between the measurements reported by the UE The tight synchronisation between multiple and eNodeB signalling (ABS patterns), verifying transmitting and receiving points means that the benefits of interference management. This CoMP is challenging both to configure and includes logging the eICIC specific protocol to validate. The TM500 network tester can messages and physical layer measurements. emulate and validate realistic CoMP usage scenarios in both uplink and downlink, enabling In LTE Release 11, eICIC is evolved to further operators and vendors to perform lab and enhanced ICIC (feICIC). This enables even field trials incorporating realistic performance further cell range expansion of the small cell tests, maximising throughput in their HetNet – increasing the CRE from 6 dB to 9 dB by deployments, and improving user experience focusing on interference handling by the UE under challenging cell-edge and interference through inter-cell interference cancellation. eICIC conditions. and feICIC are especially important when Carrier Aggregation is not used. 256 QAM modulation (Figure 2) has been introduced in 3GPP Release 12. Combining this Poor cell-edge performance modulation scheme with CA and 2 layers MIMO Coordinated Multipoint transmission/reception enables theoretical data rates of up to 600 Mbps (CoMP) was introduced at Release 11 to further in the downlink. This allows network operators enhance LTE-A performance. This addresses the to improve spectrum efficiency for mobile problem that small cells often do not deliver the terminal devices under favourable operating

electronicspecifier.com 29 Network performance

conditions where cells are sparsely populated.

256 QAM is particularly applicable to small cell deployments, where users are close to the base station and high signal-to-noise ratios can be achieved. 256 QAM is supported by the TM500 over multiple aggregated carriers, allowing complex mobility scenarios to be validated, including a Figure 3: Cobham Wireless industry-standard validation mixture of mobile terminals operating to different system adds LTE-LAA support for 3GPP Release 13 3GPP Release standards. This is accompanied by enhanced mobility models to reflect the user scenarios before the features challenging operational and mobility scenarios are introduced on real mobile terminals. that occur with higher modulation orders. 3GPP Release 12 specifications have been Dual connectivity (DC) is defined as network frozen in March 2015, and it is expected operation where a particular UE is connected to be implemented in early 2016. Work to two different network points two distinct continues on Release 13, which will introduce schedulers, located in two eNBs. This technique further new features including Machine Type can increase data rate and boost the capacity Communications (MTC), carrier aggregation of an existing network by using additional enhancements up to 32 carriers, and Licensed spectrum for small cells. The two eNBs are Assisted Access (LAA), which combines the use referred to as the Master eNB (MeNB) and of licensed and unlicensed spectrum. the Secondary eNB (SeNB). Both uplink and downlink data transmission can be performed All of the key features up to and including on both the MeNB and the SeNB connected Release 12 are already supported by the via non-ideal backhaul over the X2 interface. TM500 and others such as Cat-0 (which DC is a similar concept to carrier aggregation, enables low-power M2M applications) are but is particularly applicable where deployment under development. Release 13 features scenarios are not ideal, as is common in EMEA. are also under development, and will be introduced ahead of the market need. This is Conclusion helping operators to continue to provide the From a network test point of view, it is crucial quality of experience their users demand, and that support for new features is made available to cope with increasing demand for data rates for R&D as soon as possible, so that network and capacity right up to, and beyond, the performance can be validated under realistic launch of 5G.

30 electronicspecifier.com Come and try for yourself Booth 4-423 PC OSCILLOSCOPES PicoScope News PicoScope Best News PicoScope 6.11 is now released ALL FOR FREE UPGRADE NOW Users of all PicoScope versions old and new can upgrade to www.picotech.com/downloads the latest software for free, for the life of their product. You can also download the full software to try it for yourself in demo mode. PicoScope Good News GREAT NEW FEATURES INCLUDING: • 16 serial protocols supported as standard: Automotive: CAN, FlexRay, LIN, SENT Avionics: ARINC 429 Computer: Ethernet 10Base-T, 100Base-TX, PS/2, UART (RS-232, RS-442, RS-485), USB (FS, HS) Embedded systems: 1-Wire, I2C, I2S, SPI Lighting: DMX512 Hobby: DCC • Touchscreen functions • Mathematical waveform processing tools • Frequency and duty-cycle v time plotting • Advanced waveform mathematics now includes user-configurable filters: High Pass, Low Pass, Band Pass and Band Stop

SENT focus

Background SENT (Single Edge Nibble Transmission) is a serial interface originally designed for automotive applications. Lower cost than other serial protocols, SENT has become popular in high-resolution sensor applications such as throttle position, pressure, mass airflow, and temperature. Data is normally transmitted as two 12-bit data words in a message frame. The basic unit of time for SENT is a "tick". Each message frame starts with a synchronisation pulse of 56 ticks. Data is transmitted as nibbles - 4 bits of data encoded in the timing of successive falling edges. Nibble time encodes the data in the measured number of tick units. 12 ticks duration = binary 0000 (Hex 0), 13 ticks = binary 0001 (Hex 1), 14 ticks = binary 0010 (Hex 2) and so on up to 27 ticks = 1111 (Hex F). The message frame ends with a CRC/checksum nibble and optional pause pulse.

SENT decoding with PicoScope The first step is to acquire the SENT signal of interest using PicoScope. Then select Serial Decoding from the Tools menu. Click Create and select SENT from the list of available protocols. In the SENT configuration dialog select the PicoScope Data input channel, Tick Time, Sensor Type, and other parameters as necessary. Click OK to see the decoded SENT messages in the PicoScope graph display. If you check the In Table box, PicoScope will display SENT messages in a tabular listing format. Double-click a message in the table to see the same message in the graph display.

www.picotech.com/PS468 Product News High-speed digital analyser probes offer mixed signal solution The HDA125 High-speed Digital Analyser launched by Teledyne LeCroy expands the capabilities of its oscilloscope range. The HDA125 digital acquisition system captures 18 channels of digital data at 12.5GS/s. It can be added to Teledyne LeCroy oscilloscopes by means of the LBUS interface architecture.

lso announced is the QuickLink probing system, featuring low-cost, high-fidelity Aprobe tips that work with both the HDA125 and Teledyne LeCroy WaveLink probes using the new Dxx30-QL QuickLink adapter.

The HDA125 samples 18 input signals at 80 ps intervals (12.5 GS/s) for accurate characterization of the fastest signals. However, sample rate is only half the story – high-speed embedded systems testing often poses challenging signal amplitude conditions. Unlike other “consumable” probe tip solutions that rely on tiny, delicate tips located very close to the The High-speed Digital Analyser meets these DUT, the QL-SI tip has an integral 9-inch lead. challenges with a 3GHz digital leadset, ultra-low probe loading, and industry-leading sensitivity When connected to a WaveLink analogue probe (150mV minimum signal swing). using the new Dxx30-QL adapter, QuickLink tips provide 6GHz of bandwidth and a flat, well- The system ensures the most precise digital controlled frequency response. signal interpretation with a unique hysteresis adjustment capability, and three times better Used for digital acquisitions with the HDA125, threshold accuracy than competing mixed-signal they support 3GHz bandwidth with industry- instruments. leading sensitivity. In both cases, high input impedance (110kΩ, 0.12pF differential) ensures The QuickLink probe tip system is designed from minimal loading of the DUT. the ground up to be compatible with both the HDA125 High-speed Digital Analyser and with Adding the HDA125 allows the DDR command Teledyne LeCroy’s WaveLink series of differential bus to be directly acquired and integrated into the analog probes. This cross-connection capability analysis, enabling advanced command triggering allows a device under test (DUT) to be equipped and sophisticated, searchable bus state viewing. with QuickLink Solder-In (QL-SI) tips at all desired This is complemented by the intrinsic flexibility and test points, enabling swapping of connections performance of the QuickLink probing system, between digital and analog acquisition systems which allows easy transitions between digital and as needed. analogue acquisitions of the signals under test.

32 electronicspecifier.com Product News

Open source test software goes global Mouser Electronics has signed a global agreement with Red Pitaya, manufacturers of the Red Pitaya system, centred on a powerful open-source software development platform for test and measurement applications.

he Red Pitaya product line is designed to help people learn programming and create Tdesigns ranging from simple DIY projects (such as automated lighting and alarm systems) to professional testing equipment.

The Red Pitaya board (available as a standalone board or included in the Red Pitaya Starter Kit and Red Pitaya Diagnostic Kit) packs professional-grade measurement tools in a reconfigurable, open-source software platform that can effectively replace thousands of dollars’ worth of bench equipment. to-digital converter (ADC), two analogue RF The board runs on an FPGA system-on-chip outputs with 14-bit digital-to-analogue converter (SoC) with dual-core ARM Cortex-A9 processor (DAC), Ethernet, USB, and two sets of 26-pin and includes 512MBytes of RAM as well as an extension connectors. SD Card slot. Red Pitaya includes five basic instrument The board features two analogue RF inputs with applications (including an oscilloscope and 125MS/s sampling rate and a 14-bit analogue- spectrum analyser).

Software speeds data acquisition development

The DAQ Series Software Customers can use proven measurement, diagnostics, to simplify and accelerate and supported IP cores condition monitoring and the development of data from VadaTech along with industrial automation. acquisition systems has been open source code to quickly announced by VadaTech. customise a digitiser for their The software offers a Based on a digitiser-client- application. graphical interface for the server architecture, the DAQ simplest development or Series Software leverages Data acquisition systems are can be integrated with open source components to used in applications such as larger applications using the shorten the time developers military signals intelligence Experimental Physics and spend integrating a data (SIGINT), experimental Industrial Control System acquisition system. particle accelerators, test and (EPICS).

electronicspecifier.com 33 Product News DC electronic loads meet variety of applications

A family of compact, standalone DC Electronic Loads has been introduced by Tektronix. The Keithley Series 2380 complement the company’s complete set of power test and measurement solutions. Available in 200W, 250W and represents the industry’s best value in a DC 750W models, the new DC Electronic Electronic Load, and along with our power Loads offer excellent performance, analysers, power supplies, SMUs, DMMs and competitive pricing and the versatility oscilloscopes rounds out our comprehensive to handle a wide range of applications. and cost-effective bench test solution for all types of power conversion device testing.”

These include performance verification, stress Using any of the Series 2380 models engineers test and environmental test of DC power can test their device under multiple working sources, power components and batteries modes using the same instrument. in power electronics, LED lighting, battery research, automotive and alternative energy. The operation modes include constant current (CC), constant voltage (CV), constant resistance Electronics engineers or test engineers (CR), and constant power (CP). developing or testing DC power supplies or batteries use DC Electronic Loads to quickly The new instruments build confidence in and easily simulate real-world loads in order to measurement accuracy with 0.1 mV/0.01mA validate the performance of their devices under voltage/current read back resolution and a range of conditions. 0.025%/0.05% voltage/current read back accuracy. The new Series 2380 DC Electronic Loads feature multiple operation modes and diverse Other features include a built-in CR-LED test auto test modes with up to 25kHz dynamic that can simulate real LED lamps or LED strings, load cycling mode, superior voltage/current integrated facilities for easily measuring the resolution and read back accuracy and voltage rise/fall time of DC power sources and multiple interface choices. an I-Monitor function that simplifies testing/ monitoring of current drawn from the DUT. “In developing this family of DC Electronic Loads, it became clear that engineers are List mode makes it easier to create a wide looking for precision and performance at an range of load current changes and there is a affordable price point,” said Michael Ewald, battery test function that simplifies battery life general manager, Tektronix. “The Series 2380 and capacity testing.

34 electronicspecifier.com Product News

All-in-one instrument delivers more functionality A new, high-performance model of VirtualBench has been introduced by National Instruments. The software-based VirtualBench all-in-one instrument combines a mixed-signal oscilloscope, function generator, digital multimeter, programmable DC power supply and digital I/O.

ith 350MHz of bandwidth, four analogue channels and Ethernet connectivity, it Woffers increased functionality for engineers characterising and debugging new designs or automated test systems. Key benefits include an enhanced mixed-signal oscilloscope with protocol analysis that delivers Users still interact with VirtualBench through free 350 MHz of bandwidth and four analogue upgradable software applications that run on PCs channels for higher performance interactive test or iPads for an easy, unified software experience for and a higher wattage programmable DC power all five instruments. supply with up to 3 A for the 6 V output channel and up to 1 A for the 25 V and -25 V channels Because VirtualBench uses today’s consumer for higher current applications. computing platforms, engineers and scientists interact with their instruments using multitouch There is a convenient, unified view of all five displays, multicore processors, wireless connectivity instruments, visualisation on larger displays and and intuitive interfaces for increased productivity. quick functionality to save data and screenshots, Ethernet connectivity in addition to USB and Simplification and increased capability through WiFi compatibility for distributed measurements software leads to more efficient circuit debugging and the VirtualBench integrates seamlessly with and validation. LabVIEW system design software.

Biomed tester complies with IEC 62353

An upgraded version of its 48V DC operated medical dedicated tester for the equipment such as operating in-service and post-repair tables and portable lighting safety testing of medical installations, the new Rigel electronic devices in line with 62353 Plus tester is equipped the standards required by with an extended range IEC 62353 has been unveiled of insulation test voltages by Rigel Medical. between 50V DC to 500V DC.

In line with changes in As a result, four separate test requirements from insulation test voltages are manufacturers of 24V DC and now provided.

electronicspecifier.com 35 pub microwave 210X297 GB N°1489:Mise en page 1 15/10/15 17:09 Page1

5th edition

The Trade show of Radiofrequencies, Microwaves, Wireless, EMC and Optical Fiber

New location : Paris Expo - Porte de Versailles

23-24, March, 2016