Author Archives: richard wilson

LabView gets audio front-end from Audio Precision

LabView is commonly used for analysing audio systems and now developers can take advantage of a software driver from audio test system firm Audio Precision which makes it easier to integrate its instruments into LabView-based measurement environments.

LabView gets audio front-end from Audio Precision

LabView gets audio front-end from Audio Precision

The company has created a DAQ driver for its APx515 analyser which allows virtual instruments to be created in LabView. These configure hardware settings, including input and output channels, sample rates, trigger conditions, signal generation, and signal acquisition.

The driver, adheres to National Instrument’s standard guidelines, is based on a low-level C++ measurement library.

The DAQ driver supports LabView waveform data type, arbitrary waveform generation and waveform acquisition. It also has audio test functionality, including sine generator with two independent channels; optional dither for digital signal generation and input filters.

It is also possible to analyser as a front end for non-audio LabView applications involving signal generation and analysis from DC to 90kHz. So this could be vibration analysis, acoustic intensity, ultrasound and power quality measurement.

Dave Schmoldt, Audio Precision CEO, writes:

“Our new DAQ driver allows users a fast path to incorporating that instrument into their LabView-based measurement systems, whether audio-focused or not.”

 

 

Richard Wilson

LabView gets audio front-end from Audio Precision

LabView is commonly used for analysing audio systems and now developers can take advantage of a software driver from audio test system firm Audio Precision which makes it easier to integrate its instruments into LabView-based measurement environments.

LabView gets audio front-end from Audio Precision

LabView gets audio front-end from Audio Precision

The company has created a DAQ driver for its APx515 analyser which allows virtual instruments to be created in LabView. These configure hardware settings, including input and output channels, sample rates, trigger conditions, signal generation, and signal acquisition.

The driver, adheres to National Instrument’s standard guidelines, is based on a low-level C++ measurement library.

The DAQ driver supports LabView waveform data type, arbitrary waveform generation and waveform acquisition. It also has audio test functionality, including sine generator with two independent channels; optional dither for digital signal generation and input filters.

It is also possible to analyser as a front end for non-audio LabView applications involving signal generation and analysis from DC to 90kHz. So this could be vibration analysis, acoustic intensity, ultrasound and power quality measurement.

Dave Schmoldt, Audio Precision CEO, writes:

“Our new DAQ driver allows users a fast path to incorporating that instrument into their LabView-based measurement systems, whether audio-focused or not.”

 

 

Richard Wilson

LabView gets audio front-end from Audio Precision

LabView is commonly used for analysing audio systems and now developers can take advantage of a software driver from audio test system firm Audio Precision which makes it easier to integrate its instruments into LabView-based measurement environments.

LabView gets audio front-end from Audio Precision

LabView gets audio front-end from Audio Precision

The company has created a DAQ driver for its APx515 analyser which allows virtual instruments to be created in LabView. These configure hardware settings, including input and output channels, sample rates, trigger conditions, signal generation, and signal acquisition.

The driver, adheres to National Instrument’s standard guidelines, is based on a low-level C++ measurement library.

The DAQ driver supports LabView waveform data type, arbitrary waveform generation and waveform acquisition. It also has audio test functionality, including sine generator with two independent channels; optional dither for digital signal generation and input filters.

It is also possible to analyser as a front end for non-audio LabView applications involving signal generation and analysis from DC to 90kHz. So this could be vibration analysis, acoustic intensity, ultrasound and power quality measurement.

Dave Schmoldt, Audio Precision CEO, writes:

“Our new DAQ driver allows users a fast path to incorporating that instrument into their LabView-based measurement systems, whether audio-focused or not.”

 

 

Richard Wilson

Workshop will present research into quantum computing

Workshop will present research into quantum computing

Workshop will present research into quantum computing

Oxford Instruments is running a one day workshop on ‘Processing for Quantum Computing’, in Delft, the Netherlands on 11th November 2015.

The workshop, which is free, will present recent progress in quantum computing, plus future trends in its development and application.

Dr Frank Dirne, managing director of tquantumhe Kavli Nanolab Delft comments:

“As the exciting area of quantum research develops into a reality, Delft is among other international institutes and organisations developing computer technologies based on quantum theory.”

Lectures will be made by the Centre for Quantum Photonics, University of Bristol; QuTech Advanced Research Centre, TU Delft; Quantum Nanoscience, TU Delft and Oxford Instruments.

Scope of the talks:

·         Microfabrication of quantum processors

·         Fabrication of superconductor-semiconductor nanostructures: A bumpy road towards quantum computation

·         Fabrication of mechanically suspended superconducting films for quantum devices

·         Fabrication technology for QIP

·         Latest advances in ALD process developments

·         Advanced deposition processes

·         Nanoscale etch technologies and applications for QIP

It is expected that talks will include research results from guest speakers.

To book

Richard Wilson

IoT platform comes with Google cloud out of the box

An IoT (internet of things) hardware platform which will connect with mobile services around the world has been introduced by Sierra Wireless.

With connection to Google cloud services for collecting data from connected devices, the hardware, dubbed the IoT Acceleration Platform, is unusual because it will provide mobile connections with Sierra Wireless and third-party network operator SIMs.

The aim, said Sierra Wireless v-p Emmanuel Walckenaer, is to try to reduce “the complexity in building and deploying Internet of Things connectivity solutions is critical for our customers in getting their products and services to market quickly”.

The hardware platform comes pre-connected to the Google Cloud Platform which allows it to be used for data collection with data analytics or full IoT applications.

Sierra Wireless will demonstrate the integration of  Google analytics tools with the IoT Acceleration Platform at CTIA Super Mobility Week, September 9 to 11 in Las Vegas.

Richard Wilson

IoT sensor prototyping board has Bluetooth interface

Panasonic Automotive & Industrial Systems is selling an evaluation kit for its Grid-Eye infrared array sensor, which incorporates a Bluetooth Smart module and a microcontroller.

IoT sensor prototyping board has Bluetooth interface - Grid-EYE

IoT sensor prototyping board has Bluetooth interface – Grid-EYE

The kit is intended for prototyping the infrared array sensor which is a 64 pixel IR camera in a surface mount package measuring 11.6mm x 8mm x 4.3mm, which integrates the MEMS sensor, lens and I2C interface.

The integrated Bluetooth module in the evaluation kit, the PAN1740, draws 4.9mA in transmit or receive operating modes, which means it can be powered by coin cell batteries.

The IR sensor, which was introduced two years ago, has 64 thermopile elements in an 8×8 grid format that detect absolute surface temperature without any contact.

Applications include hot-spot detection, human detection and contactless temperature measurement.

 

Richard Wilson

Dev board puts ECP5 FPGAs in small cells

Lattice Semiconductor is targeting its ECP5 range of FPGAs at small cell wireless basestations and communications terminals and it has introduced a development kit for system prototyping and test.

Lattice Versa dev board

Lattice Versa dev board

The ECP5 Versa development kit allows designers to evaluate system performance against interface standards such as PCI Express, Gigabit Ethernet, DDR3 and generic SERDES.

Lattice has also created a version of its Diamond software suite specifically for the ECP5 Versa kit and this will be available free of charge to all users purchasing the board.

The new Versa development kit is available direct from Lattice at a limited promotional price of $99.

ECP5 FPGAs are inetnded as low cost, low density devices with less than 100K LUTs. The FPGA architecture incorporates small LUT4 based logic slices, dual-channel SERDES and DSP blocks.

Read more Lattice Semiconductor stories on Electronics Weekly »

 

Richard Wilson

Keysight buys UK-based asset management firm

Keysight buys UK-based asset management firm

Keysight buys UK-based asset management firm

Keysight Technologies continues to build its test equipment support services business and it has bought a UK-based repair and asset management services company.

The test services business is new focus for Keysight following last year’s separation from Agilent Technologies life sciences businesses.

Electroservices Enterprises, which is based in Telford, carries out electrical, mechanical and physical calibration, repair and asset management services to defence, telecoms and industrial customers.

“This move demonstrates a commitment to offer customers in Europe a rapidly expanding spectrum of high-quality support services covering their full range of assets,” said Chris Rennie, managing director of Keysight Technologies UK.

Keysight said lats year that it wanted to grow its calibration services business. It also aid it would add an asset management business and training services.

Keysight has identified the services business as a growth opportunity, perhaps growing faster than the hardware test market which has matured to steady, but not exceptional growth rates in recent years.

“We believe the services side of the business will be a big differentiator, it can sustain and support the hardware/software test business,” says Rennie.

See also: NTT Docomo taps up Intel for 5G research

Read more Keysight Technologies stories on Electronics Weekly »

Richard Wilson

TI Delfino MCU gets in-system programming

Texas Instruments’ latest 32-bit floating-point microcontroller, called Delfino, gets in-system programming with the FlashRunner line from SMH Technologies of Italy.

TI Delfino MCU gets in-system programming

TI Delfino MCU gets in-system programming

The in-circuit programming of the F2837xD microcontrollers, which have two real-time control accelerators (CLAs), avoids the limitations associated with traditional programmable devices (On-Socket or Pre-Programmed).

Villotta di Chions-based SMH says the FlashRunner programmer’s open architecture makes its firmware upgradable to also support TI TMS320F2837xD devices.

The dual real-time control subsystems are based on TI’s 32-bit C28x floating-point CPUs with a newly integrated trigonometric math unit are designed to support fast execution of algorithms with trigonometric operations common in transforms and torque loop calculations.

The MCU supports up to 1Mbyte of onboard flash memory with error correction code and up to 204kbyte of SRAM. Two 128-bit secure zones are also available on each CPU for code protection.

The FlashRunner in-circuit programmer is available in the UK from Adaptsys.

See also: TI adds three-phase power capability to Piccolo DSP

Read more Texas Instruments stories on Electronics Weekly »

Richard Wilson

UK manufacturer says semi-flexible RF cables can deliver

UK-based RF connector manufacturer Intelliconnect has decided to supply its own brand of semi-flexible RF cables as alternatives to Multiflex, T-Flex and Flexiform cables used in defence, security and test system applications.

Intelliconnect to supply its own brand of semi-flexible RF cables

Intelliconnect to supply its own brand of semi-flexible RF cables

According to the supplier, any small reductions in performance of semi-flexible cables compared with semi-rigid cables “are more than compensated for by competitive pricing and compatibility with standard semi-rigid cable connectors”.

The manufacturer’s Spiral Strip shielded coaxial cables are flexible alternatives to semi-rigid coax, which use of strip/round braid composite shields to lower transfer impedance levels.

The 50 ohm construction exhibits the same attenuation characteristics as M17/130-RG402 and M17/133-RG405 cables, said Intelliconnect.

The supplier’s I402 and I405 cable types have been designed with diameters over the outer braids of 0.141-inch and 0.086-inch and have an operating temperature range of -55 to +200°C

Roy Phillips, managing director of Intelliconnect, writes:

“Having our own brand of semi-flexible cables continues our aim of providing high-quality, competitively priced RF and waterproof connectors, cables and cable assemblies with assured sources of supply.”

Chelmsford-based Intelliconnect also manufactures a range of coaxial adaptors to facilitate inter-series connection and gender change. Typical applications include MIL and aerospace, marine, oil and gas, medical and general microwave markets.

 

Richard Wilson