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The article discusses implementing automation in microwave system testing, emphasizing the challenges posed by the growing complexity of radar and communication technologies. It explores the impact of these trends on microwave testing and introduces solutions like advanced automation, calibration technologies, and robotic interconnect systems to minimize operator error and enhance testing efficiency and reliability.

5G communications have supported the deployment of mmWave antenna array beam steering technologies at an unprecedented commercial scale. As per 3GPP1 and CTIA2 test specifications, 5G mmWave capable mobile phones must undergo a large number of tests to guarantee adequate performance. The defined measurement methodology relies on far-field over-the-air (OTA) assessments in compact antenna test ranges (CATR). As temperature influences the active electronics in the wireless devices and, hence, the beamforming characteristics, OTA measurements are also required in temperature conditions ranging from -10°C to +55°C, per 3GPP test specifications. For such tests, an innovative realization of a CATR with an embedded thermal compartment meeting conformance and compliance testing needs is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Verifying system performance is important when using chromatographic instrumentation for analyzing both known and unknown samples. Typically, system suitability tests (SSTs) are used to verify performance, which involves running an established method and comparing the results to pre-established acceptance criteria. As two-dimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) becomes used more widely and in regulated laboratory environments, development and implementation of SSTs will be critical for successful routine use of the 2D-LC technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article evaluates the APLC series of signal sources offered by AnaPico, a company based in Zurich, Switzerland.

Massive MIMO (mMIMO) phase and amplitude controlled networks are the key RF technology of 5G. However, available phase shifters and attenuators that provide phase and amplitude control are narrowband, with typical bandwidths of only 200 MHz and have control resolution no more than 7 bits for sub-6 GHz and 6 bits for the mmWave bands. So building test systems to cover the 5G bands requires a significant investment in narrowband equipment, with performance insufficient to meet high test accuracy requirements. This article describes wideband designs for controlling phase and amplitude, offering the widest bandwidth--1.7 to 6 and 24 to 40 GHz--and highest resolution and accuracy commercially available. Two modules cover the 5G microwave and mmWave frequency bands with full 360 degree control and dynamic range to 50 dB and a resolution and accuracy of 0.1 dB and 1 degree sub 6 GHz and 0.2 dB and 2 degrees at mmWave. These phase and amplitude control modules serve as building blocks for beamforming, mMIMO, over-the-air (OTA) and multichannel signal simulator test systems. With their wideband coverage, resolution and accuracy, building test scenarios is simple and fast, reducing cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Fibre Optic Sensing (FOS) has been used for some time in the oil and gas industry to monitor infrastructure and locate leaks, this technology is relatively new in the railway sector. FOS has not been used at all up to now, especially for monitoring the condition of the infrastructure. Therefore, Graz University of Technology and the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) has investigated the application potential of this measuring method for the condition monitoring of the railway infrastructure. To test the system under real operating conditions, an unused fibre of already laid fibre optic cables was used. Furthermore, the position of the fibre optic cable has not been changed and no optimizations have been made to the measuring system. The aim of the potential study was and is not to replace already established measurement systems, but rather to generate additional information about the asset condition in combination with already proven measurement technologies. The first results already show the potential of this technology in the field of infrastructure monitoring and provide valuable information about the condition of the assets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that training provider ATT uses principles that are usually used in computer games for hydraulic training courses. It mentions multiplayer simulation that is used for advanced training in the hydraulics area and construction vehicles are placed in the showroom. It also mentions network connection of the participants do not always play along participants who have nothing to do with computer games.

The article focuses on the use of benchtop instruments to improve the capabilities of modular instruments. It offers information on equivalent test system that can be developed by inserting instrument modules into one chassis. It mentions that modular instruments market rose to 1.12 billion dollars and expected to double by 2023 to 2.11 billion dollars.

The manufacturer of hydraulic measuring and control products, Webtec, has expanded its mechanical hydraulic testing device series RFIK. The new model, RFIK270, has an increased flow capacity of 270 l/min and a reduced pressure drop. Customers have demanded higher flow rates as the previous models were not sufficient. The RFIK270 features a modified load valve that reduces the pressure drop by approximately 35%. It is easy to install and allows for precise testing of hydraulic systems. [Extracted from the article]

The article reviews the GENASYS Semi advanced open-architecture millimeter wave (mmWave) semiconductor test system from Marvin Test Solutions.

The article offers information on various products including THE SENTINEL Blackbelt Pro multi-port test system from Cincinnati Test Systems Inc., the Cat 6A cable from Cicoil Corp., and Master Bond Inc.'s MASTERSIL 156, a two-part, addition-cured silicone system.

This article presents information on the Autotest 2014 show held in Saint Louis, Misosuri in September 2014, which showcased automated test systems for military/aerospace equipment. Products featured during the event include the M9290A CXA-m PXIe signal analyzer from Keysight Technologies, the RouteWarePRO 4.0 software from Universal Switching and the PXI product line unveiled by ADLINK Technology.

The article focuses on the importance of noise sources and analyzers for testing and calibrating radar, communication, and test systems, as well as characterizing electronic devices. Topics include the use of broadband noise sources for measuring the performance of amplifiers and receivers, their applications in electronic countermeasures, and their configurations for generating calibrated noise power levels.

Peptide mapping by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is an essential analytical tool for the characterization of biotherapeutics, such as for the identification and quantification of post-translational modifications, including oxidation. Therefore, is it crucial that the LC-MS system is performing under optimal conditions, ensuring reproducible and accurate quantitative information. A system suitability test is usually performed prior to sample analysis to confirm that the sample preparation and instrument performance are adequate and running as expected. Induced in-source oxidation is a known phenomenon associated with the electrospray process, and can be discriminated from relevant sample oxidation. On-column methionine oxidation can also take place during LC-MS/MS peptide mapping analysis of antibody-based biotherapeutics over long-term column use. This article describes how the monitoring of on-column methionine oxidation as part of system suitability testing can be used to control unintended on-column methionine oxidation of biotherapeutics. This approach minimizes the risk of measuring oxidative artifacts, and helps generate high quality data to provide reliable quantitative information about product-related heterogeneities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a few of these devices, alaptop, a simple GUI, and a USB cord, designers are quicklyconfirming or denying various networking and signal managementtechniques and identifying the best components fortheir unique signal chains. GLO:5z3/01feb20:37n1.jpg PHOTO (COLOR): Lab Bricks developed by Vaunix represent a suite of solid-stateprogrammable RF test devices that include attenuators, signalgenerators, phase shifters, and switches in various RF/microwave bands. gl. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses equipment manufacturers using electric drives as the prime mover for mobile-hydraulic systems instead of internal-combustion engines, Parker Hannifin has begun addressing concerns associated with proving and using emerging technology such as risk. Topics include the Electrification Test Cell uses the flexibility of programmable electrohydraulic pumps to replicate a range of loading and duty-cycle profiles; and the Electrification Test Cell uses a second motor as the load.

The article offers brief information on the eDrive testing solutions for measuring the performance and efficiency of electric motors and inverters from HBM Inc.

The article offers information on several functional test, assembly verification and leak detection systems manufactured by Cincinnati Test Systems Inc. (CTS) over the years including Hydraulic Performance Test Systems, Leak Testing Systems and Flow Testing Systems.

The article reports that Ceta Test Systems uses compressed air and hydrogen as test media.

The article evaluates the Simcenter Testlab software and Simcenter SCADAS hardware developed by Siemens PLM Software for cost effective qualification testing for satellites.

The article describes the new modular hydraulic service control block (M-HSM) from Moog, which is optimized for the hydraulic operation of test systems and actuators. The M-HSM is characterized by high volume flows and precise pressure supply to avoid pressure surges and damage. It can be connected to up to four stations and meets European safety requirements. In addition, Moog introduces the electro-hydrostatic pump system (EPS), which is offered as a complete system without an actuator and is used in various industries. The EPS offers variable delivery volumes and high performance for demanding applications. [Extracted from the article]

The article presents several products inclduing RF test equipment is affordable and compact enough to fit in a backpack perfect for portable from Signal Hound, Growth Initiative Aerospace & Defense from HUBER+SUHNER AG, and Conducted Immunity Test System from AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation.

The presents the K 2019 show in Germany, Packsys Global of Switzerland has showed off new Packsys Global, and capLAB systems for quality control of tamper-evident (TE) closures such as beverage caps.

Rohde & Schwarz offers four versions Rohde & Schwarz offers an option to GLO:5z3/01aug19:46n1.jpg PHOTO (COLOR): At IMS 2019, Rohde & Schwarz displayed this ZNBT40. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the critical automatic test equipment (ATE) requirements for parametric test of optically networked weapon systems. It states that the ongoing test requirements for military applications are unique that require new equipment capabilities to augment current test systems, affecting all stages of test in factories, field and depots.

All agencies have issued varying guidances for the approval of recombinant biosimilars of biopharmaceuticals, and all submittals are considered on a case-by-case basis. This installment of "Focus on Biopharmaceutical Analysis" looks at the best methodologies for demonstrating their analytical comparability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the drive test benches in automotive engineering in Great Britain which highlights the eDrive test system from measurement applications products and services provider HBM Test and Measurement. The eDrive system has offered turnkey test and measuring equipment for the most complex test benches and real-time transfer of data to the automation system.

The article discusses the effectiveness of the Reference Solutions test-system configurations from Keysight Technologies that are recommended for use by manufacturers of electrical devices for commercial wireless communications to reduce cost and improve product performance.

The article discusses the National Instruments Wireless Test System (WTS) for wireless technologies developed by Austin, Texas-based automated test equipment and virtual instrumentation software company National Instruments Corp.

The article offers information on the MTS-209 Common Armament and MTS-3060 SmartCan Universal O-Level Armament Test Sets for airplane weapons from Marvin Test Solutions Inc.

The article evaluates the PXI test system from Keysight Technologies.

The article offers brief information on the TS-323 GENASYS test system from Marvin Test Solutions.

Information on the CML2 compact twin-laser contamination-monitor kit from MP Filtri USA Inc. is presented.

The article reports that Wireless Telecom Group Inc. has demonstrated its own over-the-air (OTA) test system. The test system consists of a noise source, a test chamber, antennas, and a spectrum analyzer. The noise source located outside the chamber is connected to a transmit antenna in the chamber. The receive antennas in the chamber are connected to a spectrum analyzer on the outside.

The article presents the discussion on cybersecurity. It states that cybersecurity is a priority for vendors of electronic test and measurement instruments. It mentions that for box instrumentation, one of the important concerns for end users is the breach of cybersecurity through an infected instrument.

The article offers mergers news briefs as of April 1, 2023 including acquisition of communication firm Linearizer Communications Group by MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, merger of defense firms NI and Set GmBH, and merger of technology firms Infieneon Technologies and GaN Systems.

The Malaysian company AFA Technologies manufactures packaging machines and automated systems for quality testing of disposable gloves. Due to increased demand during the Covid-19 pandemic, the company was able to export machines and systems to Europe and North America as well. AFA's testing systems increase productivity and quality compared to manual testing by three employees. The systems use highly precise valve technology from Festo, particularly the pneumatic valve VUVG, to control the test probes. Festo not only provided AFA with consultation, but also supported them with simulations, calculations, and the provision of test products. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses German test house company Institute for International Product Safety's enhancement of their low voltage test system which involved renewal of the drive on its excitation generator leading to greater energy efficiency and flexibility of the system. It discusses the usage of an asynchronous slip ring motor developed in collaboration with power management company Eaton, the usage of a frequency converter and regenerative unit, and the system configuration.

The article discusses the use of Proprietary modular platforms, which give the supplier more flexibility to tailor mechanical and performance characteristics that are specific to open platforms giving the end user flexibility in creating a modular test system. It also mentions the views of Craig Hughes, senior manager, instruments, Astronics Test Systems, on a modular test architecture as an adaptable design that can add or remove functions by hardware and software methods.

The article focuses on test strategies. It mentions that switching density is always a subject for debate as to how much switching is necessary, particularly in modular test systems because of the fixed physical size of modular devices. It also mentions that switching density is the number of relays that can fit into a unit of measure such as a test-system 19-in. rack unit or a modular instrumentation platform slot.

The artcle evaluates several products incluidng GENASYS benchtop from Marvin Test Solutions; ATS-3100 VRS from Astronics Test Systems; and UXG Agile Vector Adapters from Keysight Technologies.

This document provides information on various new products in the field of microwave technology. Smiths Interconnect has introduced WR12 coupler, loads, and isolators for E-Band terrestrial uplinks to LEO constellations and payloads. Mini-Circuits has developed an RF balun transformer for frequencies ranging from 10 to 24 GHz, as well as a low-noise amplifier for the 71 to 86 GHz range. Pickering Interfaces has released flexible microwave switches for the PXI platform, and Fairview Microwave has introduced G-type mounts for horn antennas to enhance setup and system performance. These products cater to a range of applications such as communications, radar, and test systems. [Extracted from the article]

The companies Wulf-Fertigungstechnik GmbH & Co. KG and ISP Maschinenbau offer customer-specific leak testing systems equipped with modern compressed air components from SMC. These components meet high requirements in terms of performance, quality, and availability. The systems are used for leak testing of products such as charging inlets for electric vehicles. Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG was looking for such a testing system for their CHARX connect charging sockets and awarded the contract to Wulf-Fertigungstechnik and ISP Maschinenbau. SMC supplied the necessary pneumatic components for the project. The system enables reliable leak testing and seamless documentation of the test results. [Extracted from the article]

The article offers brief information on Radio Frequency (RF) and microwave product including dynamic-random-access-memory (DRAM) components from Intelligent Memory, MTS-3060 SmartCan flightline tester from Marvin Test Systems Inc., and Data-Acquisition unit (DAU) from Curtiss-Wright Corp.

Traditional RF/microwave test and measurement (T&M) instruments are dedicated "boxes" built with application specific and general purpose silicon, firmware and embedded software. In contrast, software defined synthetic instruments (SDSI) "synthesize" multiple instruments – spectrum analyzers, digital storage oscilloscopes, RF receivers, signal generators – with digital signal processing (DSP) software and firmware on commercial embedded multicore processors and field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). SDSIs offer advantages over a suite of traditional instruments, dramatically reducing test system life cycle costs. Addressing equipment obsolescence and the portability of test programs are two of their most important benefits, especially to organizations with large fleets of RF/microwave test systems or performing production tests. SDSIs provide a watershed infrastructure for developing test systems that remain stable throughout the test life cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the AeroLab to supersede single-probe radome test systems with a faster, more flexible compact system from MVG.

When evaluating fruit, such as the Nanguo pear, ensuring high quality of the product is a top priority. The quality of a Nanguo pear will directly affect its appearance, taste, and commodity value. Currently, most of the quality detection methods of Nanguo pears are destructive. In this work, nondestructive testing methods for the internal and external quality of the Nanguo pear were studied. First, the spectral curves of the Nanguo pear were collected to establish the internal comprehensive quality indicators. Second, the successive projection algorithm was used to extract the spectral characteristics of samples. Based on the gray level co-occurrence matrix, texture features of the sample image were extracted. Finally, the model was established by fusing spectral and image features together, and good modeling results were achieved. The internal and external quality of the Nanguo pear were detected simultaneously. The accuracy of the external quality assessment was 97.14%. For the internal quality prediction model, the correction set R2 c and RMSEC are 0.959 and 0.483, respectively, and the prediction set R2 P and RMSEP are 0.920 and 0.615, respectively. It provides a theoretical basis for the development of an online nondestructive testing system for fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]