GAO Instruments Inc.

Wireless standards are inundating the market, placing tremendous demands on the test engineer and on the tools necessary to test these new integrated devices. There are two realities in device manufacturing. First, assembly complexity is inversely proportional to the level of integration. Second, functional test complexity is proportional to the number of features and wireless standards to test.

This challenge is compounded, because RF measurements and tests for a particular standard often require specific firmware personalities or modes of operation for the test instrument. Testing multiple wireless standards on a single device requires either purchasing another RF test instrument for that standard (increasing test costs) or reconfiguring the instrument firmware or mode for the next standard (increasing test time and cost for new firmware).

The solution to these challenges is to take a different approach to the architecture for RF test instruments. The two biggest hurdles in building a software-defined RF test system are the processing power necessary to demodulate, decode and analyze acquired waveforms, and the bandwidth necessary to transfer a large enough waveform from the measurement circuitry to the processing circuitry.

Engineers can overcome these hurdles by using a modular, PC-based architecture with a high-throughput bus interconnecting the measurement and processing circuitry. An example of an ideal software-defined architecture is the rugged, CompactPCI-based PXI platform for test, measurement and control. PXI leverages commercial off-the-shelf computer components, such as the latest Intel processors and large memories, and a PCI-based high-throughput bus that links this controller to the measurement module.

The measurement module uses a modular architecture, incorporating a downconverter unit to transfer a block of frequency spectrum to an IF acquired by a digitizer unit, which then transfers this large waveform to controller memory using the 132Mbps bus in the PXI backplane.

An example of software-defined, modular instrumentation is the development of a MIMO-OFDM system. The combination of MIMO and OFDM lies behind many of the latest wireless and data standards emerging, including 4G mobile cellular communications and 802.11n Wi-Fi data networking, designed to increase the number of subscribers and data throughput on cellphones and computers, respectively.

The Wireless Networking and Communications Group (WNCG) at the University of Texas at Austin studied the characteristics of this system to validate the research and benefits of MIMO-OFDM. The WNCG study involved simulation and full hardware integration components, and took six weeks to complete. This was made possible by the high degree of reuse of MIMO-OFDM software simulations and models in the software used to define the PXI-based modular RF vector signal generators and analyzers from National Instruments.

The result of using a modular, PC-based architecture such as PXI is a universal, software-based RF test system that can adapt to any type of measurement and wireless standard. The system also has the ability to test multiple wireless standards and protocols, and adapt to emerging communication standards.

pagesource:http://www.eetasia.com

Tektronix Inc. has introduced a line of mixed-signal oscilloscopes that visualize and analyze analog, digital and serial signals with one instrument. The MSO3000 series offers up to four analog and 16 digital channels, 100MHz to 500MHz bandwidth, 5M record length and 2.5GSps analog sample rate for system debug.

Versatility in test solutions to monitor digital, analog and serial data signals is important when performing system-level troubleshooting across a wide range of integrated components, such as microprocessors and microcontrollers, FPGAs, A/Ds, D/As, serial and parallel buses, embedded audio and switch-mode power supplies. At the same time, design engineers are under pressure to keep a tight rein on costs.

Bob Bluhm, VP, value scopes product line at Tektronix said, “With this latest addition to the Tektronix MSO/DPO Series of bench oscilloscopes, we now provide a full range of performance options combined with a great price point for the majority of engineers who need powerful and easy-to-use instruments to simplify debug of embedded system designs.”

The 16 digital channels offered by the MSO3000 series are tightly integrated into the oscilloscope’s user interface, simplifying operation and making it possible to solve mixed signal issues easily. The color-coded waveform display simplifies viewing of digital waveforms, displaying ones in green and zeros in blue. This makes it easy to recognize the logic state of a signal without having to scroll to a transition. Digital waveforms can be grouped and labeled, greatly reducing setup time. MagniVu high speed acquisition provides confidence when making critical timing measurements on digital waveforms with the acquisition of 10,000 points at up to 8.25GSps (121.2ps resolution), providing significantly finer timing resolution and capturing narrower glitches than comparable MSOs on the market.

Speed at every stage
The MSO3000 series provides a comprehensive set of features to speed every stage of debugging a new design. Embedded system designers can easily discover intermittent problems with a 50,000 waveform per second capture rate and intensity-graded digital phosphor display technology. The designer can then capture signal anomalies and glitches with a complete set of triggers, including parallel data and serial packet content. The trigger is applied across all input channels and automatically time correlates all analog, digital and serial signals.

Wave Inspector controls enable automatic search across all analog, digital, serial and parallel data signals for a specific event of interest. Wave Inspector will automatically mark every instance of the event enabling rapid navigation between them. Finally, the designer can quickly analyze signals with 29 automated measurements, advanced waveform math and specialized application support for serial bus analysis, power analysis and video debug.

For serial bus applications, a single signal often includes address, control, data and clock information. This can make isolating events of interest difficult. The MSO/DPO oscilloscopes offer a robust set of tools for debugging serial buses with automatic trigger, decode and search for I2C, SPI, RS- 232/422/485/UART, CAN, LIN, and I2S/LJ/RJ/TDM standards.

Power analysis
Additional application support packages automate power measurements and perform HDTV and custom video analysis. To meet the need for longer battery life devices and for green solutions that consume less power, power-supply designers can now quickly and accurately analyze power quality, switching loss, harmonics, safe operating area, modulation, ripple, and slew rate (di/dt, dv/dt) and comply with national and regional power quality standards. The DPO3PWR power analysis module provides automated, repeatable power measurements with a touch of a button; no external PC or complex software setup is required. The DPO3PWRBND Power Analysis Solution Bundle combines all of the essential tools needed to perform typical power measurement and analysis tasks with savings up to 25 percent.

With the MSO/DPO oscilloscopes’ fast waveform capture rate and intensity-graded signal view, video engineers can now see more video signal detail and access standard features such as IRE and mV graticules, holdoff by fields, video polarity, and an Autoset smart enough to detect video signals. The optional DPO3VID application module provides the industry’s most complete suite of HDTV and custom (non-standard) video triggers.

All new models are available for purchase and delivery.

pagesource:http://www.eetasia.com

Introduction
The Jones matrix (JM) or linear transfer function (TF) of a fiber-coupled component, when measured as a function of frequency, contains all of the information required to predict final component performance (loss, dispersion, polarization effects, etc.). In this white paper we describe a novel interferometric technique for single-scan, high resolution spectral measurements of the TF of an optical component. In addition, we demonstrate mathematically how the TF is obtained from this measurement apparatus. We then show that highly accurate spectral amplitude and phase information can be extracted from the TF in the form of polarization-averaged group delay (GD), polarization mode dispersion (PMD), insertion loss (IL), and polarization dependent loss (PDL). Data is presented demonstrating greater than 100 dB, 80 dB and 60 dB dynamic range for the polarization-averaged IL, GD and PMD measurements, respec- tively. The elimination of the need for multiple wavelength scans in combination with the accurate and sensitive nature of the interferometric measurement technique yields an instrument ideally suited for high resolution metrology of passive optical components for high bit-rate network applications (e.g. tunable dispersion compensators, fiber Bragg gratings, arrayed waveguide gratings, etc.)

pagesource:http://www.fiberopticsonline.com/article.mvc/Optical-Vector-Network-Analyzer-For-Single-Sc-0003

New $2.5 Million Order Expanding Role of KVH Fiber Optic Gyros in Remote
Weapon Stations
KVH’s precision DSP-3100 FOGs helping improve effectiveness of vehicle-mounted
remote weapons by providing optical and targeting stabilization

MIDDLETOWN, R.I., July 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — KVH Industries, Inc.,
(Nasdaq: KVHI) announced today that it has received a new $2.5 million order
for its precision fiber optic gyros (FOGs) for use in remote stabilized weapon
stations (RWS) from a major defense contractor. Shipment of KVH FOGs for this
order is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.

“Remote weapon stations are playing a critical role in substantially improving
crew safety and weapon accuracy in combat operations overseas. We are very
proud that KVH’s fiber optic gyros remain the sensors of choice for the
leading RWS manufacturers supporting U.S. and allied military forces,” said
Jay Napoli, KVH’s vice president of FOG and OEM sales. “Our affordable
DSP-3100 FOG offers the high reliability, superior accuracy, and exceptional
vibration, shock, and acceleration survivability necessary to ensure optimal
RWS performance. Thanks to this combination of factors, KVH’s FOGs are
increasingly in demand not only for military use but also a broad array of
commercial applications worldwide.”

Remote weapon stations allow gunners to operate, aim, and fire the weapon from
inside the safety of their vehicles, taking the gunners out of turret
positions where they are exposed to hostile fire. KVH’s DSP-3100 FOGs provide
precise optical stabilization and weapon recoil control for RWS units while
ensuring that the weapon stays on target whether the vehicle is stationary or
on the move.

KVH’s fiber optic guidance and sensor systems are used in an array of
commercial and defense-related stabilization, navigation, autonomous vehicle,
and precision guidance applications. KVH’s fiber optic gyro resource page
http://www.fiberopticgyro.com offers additional details regarding KVH’s
fiber optic gyro solutions.

Note to Editors: High-resolution photos of KVH’s fiber optic gyro systems are
available at http://press.kvh.com for download and editorial use.

About KVH Industries, Inc.
KVH Industries is a leading manufacturer of solutions that provide global
high-speed Internet, television and voice services via satellite to mobile
users at sea, on land, and in the air. KVH is also a premier manufacturer of
high performance sensors and integrated inertial systems for defense and
commercial guidance and stabilization applications. The company is based in
Middletown, RI, with facilities in Tinley Park, IL, and Kokkedal, Denmark.

This release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, for example, the
functionality, characteristics, quality and performance of KVH’s products and
technology; and customer preferences, requirements and expectations. The
actual results could differ materially. Factors that may cause such
differences include, among others, delays in customers’ qualification
processes for our products or other delays in shipping, uneven military sales
cycles, changes in military fielding and equipment requirements, and changes
in international situations, as well as those discussed in KVH’s most recent
Form 10-Q filed with the SEC. KVH does not assume any obligation to update its
forward-looking statements to reflect new information or developments.
KVH is a registered trademark of KVH Industries, Inc.

pagesource:http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS100150+15-Jul-2009+PRN20090715

CHATSWORTH, CALIF.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

MRV COMMUNICATIONS, INC. today announced that its Fiber Driver optical multi-service platform delivers a highly energy efficient optical networking solution for carriers when evaluated using the Telecommunications Equipment Energy Efficiency Ratings (TEEER) standard developed by Verizon. MRV is a leading networking company with a full line of packet-optical transport (POTS), carrier Ethernet, 40G networking and out-of-band networking products.

The TEEER score is defined as a direct relationship between the system forwarding capacity and its power consumption, weighted for different operation modes. Verizon’s calculated TEEER value represents the system energy efficiency rating on a scale from one (least efficient) to 10 (most efficient). More information on the TEEER standard can be found at www.verizonnebs.com/TPRs/VZ-TPR-9207.pdf.

In certain configurations, MRV’s Fiber Driver platform achieved a score of 9.78, showing the WDM optical transport system to be a power-optimized solution for carriers. The Fiber Driver platform packs up to 600 Gbps in just 3U of rack space. With a power consumption of three to five watts per 10Gbps interface, it consumes only 20% to 30% of the power that competing optical transport systems need.

MRV’s Fiber Driver product line provides differentiated services including fiber grooming (media conversion, distance extension and signal repeating), converter-based service demarcation, advanced CWDM and DWDM solutions and digital video distribution. The Fiber Driver platform can act as a media converter, a repeater or a WDM transponder with a simple change-out of hot-swappable multi-functional modules. The Fiber Driver provides a wide range of optical transport solutions to enterprise, campus and metro networks with distances of 80-100km.

“Energy efficiency is a concern for all industries today and a lot of vendors are claiming to be green,” said Noam Lotan, president and CEO of MRV Communications. “The beauty of the TEEER standard is that it gives a benchmark that customers can use to compare systems from different vendors in an objective way.”

Verizon’s efficiency rating system is part of its energy consumption standards developed in the wake of government initiatives driving carriers toward more environmentally friendly networks. The goal of the standard is to improve energy efficiency in the equipment the company buys by 20% over today’s networking equipment.

pagesource:http://www.fiberopticsonline.com/article.mvc/MRV-Fiber-Driver-Platform-Delivers-Green-0001?user=20&source=nl:24894