The digital storage oscilloscope, or DSO for short, is now the preferred type of oscilloscope for most industrial applications, although simple analog CROs are still used by many hobbyists. The DSO replaces the often unreliable storage method used in analog storage oscilloscopes with digital memory, which can store data as long as required without degradation. It also allows complex processing of the signal by high-speed digital signal processing circuits.

DSO Comparison Chart

We thought this would be of interest to our readers as we have recently posted about standards in measurement. Currently there is no world standard for electrical use (voltage/frequency) or connectivity.

World Voltage and Frequencies
The information below summarizes electrical systems currently in use around most of the world.

World Electrical Plugs
The original two pin electrical plug and socket were invented by Harvey Hubbell and patented in 1904. The image below shows a variety of the most common worldwide plugs currently in use.

BlueChip Energy starts development of 10 MW solar farm in Florida

BlueChip Energy, a provider of solar energy solutions for residential, commercial, government and utility applications, has started its stage one of the Rinehart solar farm, a 10MW utility-scale solar facility in Central Florida.

The Rinehart solar farm project, located in Lake Mary, Fla, will have a total capacity of 10MW and an annual generation of approximately 1.5millionkw hours. This is equivalent to the annual energy use of roughly 1,100 area homes. It will cover a portion of the 380,000sqft rooftop space and surrounding acreage of BlueChip Energy’s Lake Mary facility.

The solar farm is being built in stages. The first stage is expected to be completed by July, 2010. Stage two is a roof top plant consisting of 500 kW. Subsequent stages will consist of a third, 1.4 MW rooftop system and 8 MW of ground-based systems. (Source: Datamonitor)

Rinehart Solar Farm Lake Mary, FL – Stage one roof top plant 120kW

Project features roof top and ground mount solar arrays for a utility scale solar plant covering a portion of 380,000 square foot roof top space and surrounding acreage. (source bluechipenergy.org)

* Completion: June 2010
* System Size: 120kW
* Number of solar panels: 520
* Solar Technology: 230 Watt monocrystalline panels, Fronius 60kW Inverters
* Green Fact: Prevents 138 metric tons of CO2 emission per year

A fusion splicer installs, repairs, and maintains fiber optic wires that are used in high-speed communications. A professional uses a number of specialized tools and techniques to cut, connect, and test these optical fibers. He or she usually receives specialized training on how to diagnose problems with cables and make delicate repairs. An expert fiber cleaver might work in a consumer electronics manufacturing plant as an assembler and installer, a communications company, such as cable television or Internet services provider as a fiber optic technician. Optical fibers are minuscule wires made of glass or plastic that are capable of transmitting massive amounts of information through pulsations of light. The process of fusion splicing fibers together involves carefully cutting and exposing bare fibers, then joining the ends using specialized crimping tools, glues, and precision arc welders. Bundles of fibers are usually wrapped together into a cable and insulated with a moisture-proof sheath. Professional fiber splicers frequently attach adapters on the ends of finished cables so they may be plugged into computers or other electronic devices.

New Featured Fusion Splicers:

Fujikura FSM-60S

New – Fujikura FSM60S Fusion Splicer The FSM-60S Fusion Splicer sets the standard for core alignment fusion splicing by incorporating a user-friendly…Read More

JiLong KL-300T

New – Fusion Splicer Features Core to core alignment by PAS technology ( PAS:Profile Alignment System) Digital fusion splicer with automatic focus function Fiber core..Read More

Drop Testing The Fujikura FSM-60S

Fiber Optic Fusion Splicing with the JiLong KL-300

LeCroy WaveAce Oscilloscopes – The WaveAce combines long memory, a color display, extensive measurement capabilities, advanced triggering and excellent connectivity to improve troubleshooting and shorten debug time with bandwidths from 40 MHz to 300 MHz. The FFT displays the frequency content of a signal for in-depth analysis and can be viewed in linear or logarithmic scale.

A good oscilloscope should simplify how you work and shorten the time it takes to find and debug problems.The WaveAce combines long memory, a color display, extensive measurement capabilities, advanced triggering and excellent connectivity to improve troubleshooting and shorten debug time. With bandwidths from 40 MHz to 300 MHz, sample rates up to 2 GS/s and waveform memory up to 10 kpts/Ch (20 kpts interleaved) the WaveAce exceeds all expectations of a small affordable oscilloscope.

Fast Fourier Transform Defined
The fast Fourier transform (FFT) is a discrete Fourier transform algorithm which reduces the number of computations needed for N points. If the function to be transformed is not harmonically related to the sampling frequency, the response of an FFT looks like a sinc function.

View and Purchase these great LeCroy WaveAce Oscilloscopes at the following links:

LeCroy WaveAce 112 – 100 MHz, 250 MS/s, 4 kpts/Ch, DSO with 5.7″ Color Display. 500 MS/s interleaved, 1 Mohm Input

LeCroy WaveAce 202 – 60 MHz, 1 GS/s, 8 kpts/Ch, DSO with 5.7″ Color Display. 1 Mohm Input

LeCroy WaveAce 204 -  60 MHz, 4 ch, 1 GS/s per ch, 10 kpts/ch (20 kpts intlv d)

LeCroy WaveAce 214 – Digital Oscilloscope. 100 MHz, 4 ch, 1 GS/s per ch, 10 kpts/ch (20 kpts intlv d)

LeCroy WaveAce 222 – 200 MHz, 2 GS/s, 8 kpts/Ch, DSO with 5.7″ Color Display. 2 GS/s interleaved. 50 Ohm and 1 Mohm

LeCroy WaveAce 224 – 200 MHz, 4 ch, 1 GS/s per ch, 2 GS/s Max, 10 kpts/ch (20 kpts intlv d)

LeCroy WaveAce 232 – 300 MHz, 2 GS/s, 8 kpts/Ch, DSO with 5.7″ Color Display. 2 GS/s interleaved. 50 Ohm and 1 Mohm

LeCroy WaveAce 234 – 200 MHz, 4 ch, 1 GS/s per ch, 2 GS/s Max, 10 kpts/ch (20 kpts intlv d)

On May 16, 2010, Raytheon celebrated 50 years since Theodore Maiman of Hughes Research Labs developed the world’s first working laser. From that early development, Raytheon employees have been central to driving the company’s laser innovation – fostering developments that become cornerstones of laser technology.

Raytheon embraces the power of lasers to deliver innovative solutions that help support customer missions. We focus on driving innovation in laser technology and in constantly seeking new ways to apply lasers within customer solutions.

With dozens of laser firsts to their credit, Raytheon has fielded thousands of laser designators and delivered tens of thousands of laser systems. Raytheon’s laser innovation enables capabilities across sensing, designation, communication and more.

Examples include:

• Adaptive Photonic Phase-Locked Elements – a DARPA development program at Raytheon: APPLE’s goal is to develop a directed energy weapon that achieves high powers through beam combining. This high-power laser may be realized by combining multiple low power beams into one single high power beam. Raytheon’s APPLE program focuses on enabling laser-based weapons applications to be integrated into unmanned aerial vehicles.
• Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared: Laser technology enables Raytheon ATFLIR to locate and designate targets at all times of day and at ranges exceeding 40 nautical miles. These capabilities allow aviators to perform missions in even the harshest conditions.
• Beam Technology Steering Demonstration: The goal of the BTSD project is to develop optical communications for satellite that enable high-bandwidth communication to support war-fighters, such as real-time sensor video. A specific objective is to provide gigabit communication to remote units, as opposed to the megabit communication that is currently possible.
• Directed Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM): Raytheon uses laser technology to protect war-fighters as part of a comprehensive aircraft protection system.
• Experimental Free Electron Laser: In June 2009, the Office of Naval Research awarded Raytheon a 12-month contract to develop the preliminary design of a 100 kilowatt experimental Free Electron Laser for the U.S. Navy that will also demonstrate parameters necessary to scale to an MW-class laser system.
• Laser Area Defense System: Part of a directed energy program, Raytheon LADS uses lasers to improve the precision and accuracy of the Phalanx system.
• Laser Guided Maverick Missile and Paveway Laser Guided Bomb: Raytheon’s munitions with integrated laser technology improve the accuracy and precision of these systems in combat.
• Quantum Sensors: Raytheon BBN is participating in the DARPA-STO Quantum Sensors Program, which is exploring concepts for using quantum states in remote sensing applications. Successful development of such concepts would allow radar, LADAR (laser radar) and other remote sensing systems to exceed the performance limits of today’s technology. (source www.raytheon.com)

Free Function Generator & Arbitrary Waveform Generator Guidebook by BK Precision

Function and arbitrary waveform generators are among the most important and versatile pieces of electronic test equipment. In electronic design and troubleshooting, the circuit under scrutiny often requires a controllable signal to simulate its normal operation. The testing of physical systems and transducers often needs stable and reliable signals. The signal levels needed range from microvolts to tens of volts or more.

Download this Free Guidebook HERE (provided in the Adobe Acrobat PDF format)

BK Precision 4079 High Performance Function/Arbitrary Waveform Generator

The 4079 is a versatile high performance dual channel function / arbitrary waveform generator with the largest arbitrary memory depth in its class. The generator combines the ability to produce nearly any conceivable arbitrary waveform with accuracy and precision and a DDS architecture offering easy to use conventional function generator capabilities. Arbitrary waveforms have 14 bit amplitude resolution, 125 MSa/s sample rate and up to 4 million points of length. Waveforms can be output in continuous, triggered, gated or burst modes. The instrument can be remotely controlled via GPIB or RS232 using SCPI-compliant commands. Extensive features such as waveform summing, internal or external AM, FM and FSK modulation along with versatile sweep capabilities and variable edge pulse generation make this generator suitable for a wide range of applications including electronic design, sensor simulation and functional test.

BK Precision 4086AWG  Laboratory Grade Synthesized Function Generator

BK Precision 4086AWG is a laboratory grade synthesized function generator with arbitrary capability. Direct digital synthesis (DDS) techniques are used to create stable, accurate output signals for all 27 built-in standard and complex (arbitrary) waveforms as well as custom arbitrary waveforms. The 4086AWG produces high purity, low distortion sine waves up to 80 MHz, square waves up to 40 MHz and provides extensive analog modulation capabilities including AM, FM, FSK, PSK, pulse modulation, burst mode and linear/logarithmic sweep combined with multiple trigger modes. The included intuitive Windows Software lets users create and edit custom arbitrary waveforms and download them with a single click to the instrument’s non volatile memory. Unmatched affordability and high performance make the 4086AWG a perfect fit for many applications in Electronic Test and Design, Sensor Simulation and Education and Training.

To recognize the importance of accurate measurements for government, industry and consumers, Test Equipment Connection is celebrating World Metrology Day on May 20. This date in 1875 was the date the Metre Convention was signed. The Convention created the International Bureau of Weights and Measures and set the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement and its industrial, commercial and societal applications.

According to estimates by the National Institute of Standards and Technology Office of Weights and Measures, sales of products or services impacted by weights and measures laws in the United States represent approximately 50 percent of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product.

During World Metrology Day more than eighty countries will celebrate the impact of measurement on daily life, no part of which is untouched by this essential and largely hidden aspect of modern society. This year’s theme is “Measurements in Science and Technology: Metrology – a Bridge to Innovation.” Previous themes have included topics such as measurements in sport, the environment, medicine and trade. The 2010 theme concentrates on how measurement influences science and stimulates innovation. Science and technology rely on being able to measure correctly and to refer measurements to the same international reference standards. A world without accurate measurement is a world subject to fraud, error and uncertainty.

National systems of measurement must rely on agreed standards and units as well as agreed techniques to make consistent, reproducible and accurate measurements. Each national system is linked into a world-wide network of national measurement standards and laboratories coordinated by the International Bureau of Weights and Measures. In industry and commerce, this standardization helps ensure product quality, eliminate waste and raise productivity and trade based on agreed measurements and tests. It also enables scientists to use a common language to underpin their collaboration across the world and ensure uniformity wherever companies operate.

NIST will hold its fourth annual celebration of World Metrology Day  on Wednesday, May 20, 2010. The Metre Convention was signed on 20 May 1875, a date now celebrated as World Metrology Day. The Convention created the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and set the framework for global collaboration in the science of measurement and in its industrial, commercial and societal application. The original aim of the Metre Convention – the worldwide uniformity of measurement – remains as important today, in 2010, as it was in 1875. Join us in celebrating World Metrology Day — a celebration of our core foundation and purpose! The theme for 2010 is Measurements in Science and Technology; Metrology – a Bridge to Innovation NIST research and measurements provide a significant foundation for measurements in support of our global economy.  (source www.nist.gov)

Fluke Calibrators HERE

Martel Calibrators HERE

Kingsine Calibrators HERE

Time Electronics Calibrators HERE

New, Refurbished, Second Hand and Pre-owned Calibrators HERE

PEM or Proton exchange membrane fuel cells, also known as polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC), are a type of fuel cell being developed for automotive applications as well as for stationary fuel cell applications and portable fuel cell applications. Their distinguishing features include lower temperature/pressure ranges and a special polymer electrolyte membrane.

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane
To function, the membrane must conduct hydrogen ions (protons) but not electrons as this would in effect “short circuit” the fuel cell. The membrane must also not allow either gas to pass to the other side of the cell, a problem known as gas crossover. Finally, the membrane must be resistant to the reducing environment at the cathode as well as the harsh oxidative environment at the anode.

Horizon produces extremely compact, lightweight, PEM fuel cells at varying degrees of complexity and performance, as well as deliver hydrogen storage and on-site hydrogen generation solutions that are suitable for many specialty and mainstream applications, including consumer electronics, portable emergency power, stationary back-up power, aerospace systems, and clean transportation solutions.

H-4000 4kW PEM Fuel Cell System

Check out Horizon’s new H-4000 4kW PEM Fuel Cell System is the lightest, most compact (and most competitively priced) 4kW system in the world. Data Sheet HERE

Horizon supplies systems to engineers and researchers within large corporations, government organizations, research institutes and universities around the world. They are known to be the world’s lightest, most compact, and most affordable units worldwide. Horizon’s fuel cells are simple, air-breathing, air-cooled, self-humidified systems that limit peripherals to the bare minimum. The semi-integrated unit comes in a kit format for more integration flexibility.

Watch as Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies shows off a handful of devices at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show that turn ordinary tap water into electricity, which can then be used to supply power to a range of devices – from notebook computers to mobile phones. TechWebTV’s David Berlind interviews the company’s co-founder Taras Wankewycz to find out how the Singapore-based startup has managed this bit of magic.

Lake Mary, FL USA – Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies and Test Equipment Connection Corporation Enter into Distribution Sales Agreement

Test Equipment Connection Corp. announced today that is has entered into a Distribution Agreement to market and sell new Horizon Fuel Cell Technology H-Series Fuel Cell Systems and Greenhub Powerbox UPS solutions. Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies manufactures a wide range hydrogen fuel cell UPS stand by power systems.

“Horizon Greenhub UPS stack systems are compact, self-dehumidifying and self-regulating, ” said President and COO Mike Novello. “The GreenHub line ranges from 500W to 2kW and includes innovative remote control features via GPRS using iPhones or PDA’s. The H-Series PEM Fuel Cell Systems are also known to be the most affordable clean power solutions of its type worldwide.”

About Horizon Fuel Cell Technology Pte. Ltd.

Horizon Fuel Cell Technology Pte. Ltd. has emerged as the world’s leading producer of fuel cell products, establishing its brand as an innovator and industry leader. Horizon products in the market today are the result of technological achievements combined with a passion for product design and marketing. Many of Horizon’s zero emissions fuel cell products are already found in larger-scale complex industrial and aerospace applications. Horizon pioneered the sale of next-generation fuel cell power products in small consumer products, while developing larger-scale clean power solutions for practical applications in portable remote power, light-duty transportation and aerospace-defense. Horizon is the first company to bring advanced fuel cell technology out of the laboratories and into the mainstream market.

About Test Equipment Connection Corporation

Test Equipment Connection Corp., Test Equipment Connection Pte. Ltd., and TE Connection Asia Limited are industry-leading suppliers of new, refurbished and second-hand electronic test and measurement (“T&M”) equipment. The companies sell, buy, lease, rent, trade, repair and calibrate over 315 manufacturers including Anritsu, Rohde & Schwarz, Agilent, Tektronix, Advantest, LeCroy, Chroma and Fluke, with thousands of products available. The companies are a single source supplier with in-house calibration laboratories assuring that customers receive only the highest quality T&M equipment and support. Test Equipment Connection Corporation has over 250,000 customers, a 45,000 square foot warehouse and repair facility in the US, and 17 years of profitability and financial strength. Visit www.testequipmentconnection.com  or email sales@testequipmentconnection.com for more information.

Test Equipment Connection Corporation
30 Skyline Drive
Lake Mary, FL 32746 USA   (800) 615-8378 x 141

Test Equipment Connection Pte. Ltd.
6 Battery Road
#31-00 Standard Chartered Bank Building
Singapore 049909
Telephone: 65-6320-8596

TE Connection Asia, Ltd.
Unit 13, 16 / FL Fotan Industrial Centre
26-28 Au Pui Wan Street
Fotan Shatin N.T. Hong Kong   Telephone: 852-2690-1360

Download this Press Release in PDF format – HERE