Megger introduces the new DLRO10HD Low Resistance Ohmmeter and here is what they have to say about it:

We listened to your feedback and we know that no amount of testing is as valuable as what you have to say. For this reason, we will always look to you, our dedicated customers, to tell us what is working and what isn’t so we can continually make improvements. Our customers use the DLRO Series for its recognized versatility, its impressive power capability and the ability to offer turnkey testing solutions. With your comments you encouraged us to create a heavy-duty, low-resistance ohmmeter that combines rugged construction with accuracy and ease of use.  And that is what you have in the new – Megger DLRO10HD.

Improvements include:

Rechargeable battery or line power supply, and maintains continuous operation, even with a dead battery.

Always be ready to test even if you forget to charge the battery!

The Megger DLRO10HD now comes with a large, clear LCD display with backlight and contrast adjustment. Using the DLRO10HD gives you the perfect view of all your testing results.

Rugged construction and a heavy duty case.  With some of the highest ratings in the the industry, IP65 lid closed, IP54operational (battery operation only), the DLRO10HD can work in outdoor environments and partial submersion.

And for a limited time, when you purchase a DRLO10HD get a 2 year warranty and certificate of calibration. Ask a sales representative for more details.

Additional Features for this great Dual power 10 A Low Resistance Ohmmeter:

• High or low output power selection for condition diagnosis
• Rechargeable battery or line power supply, continuous operation, even with dead battery
• 10 A for 60 seconds, less time waiting to cool, great for charging inductance
• High input protection to 600 V, inadvertent connection to line or UPS voltage will not blow a fuse
• Heavy duty case: IP 65 lid closed, IP54 operational (battery operation only)
• Rotary switch selects one of five test modes, including auto start on connection, giving ease of use

Equally at home in the laboratory, the workshop or in the field, on the bench or on the ground, Megger’s new heavy duty DLRO10HD low resistance ohmmeter combines rugged construction with accuracy and ease of use. It features an internal rechargeable battery and can also operate from a mains supply, even if the battery is completely flat.

The DLRO10HD In Use

Florida High Tech Corridor

Major corporate players in the Corridor include G.E. Power Systems, Harris Corporation, Jabil Circuit, Mitsubishi Power Systems, Raytheon Systems Co. and Siemens Westinghouse Power Corp., among others.  Even more significant are the small companies and start-ups throughout the 23-county region developing revolutionary advancements in the field.  UF spin-out, Sinmat (http://www.sinmat.com) is applying the company’s tested methods to make robust, resilient semiconductors, while Planar Energy Devices (http://www.planarenergy.com) in Orlando is creating next generation batteries that are lighter, more durable and longer-lasting.  Both have taken advantage of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council’s Matching Grants Research Program to advance their technologies.

The partnerships forged by these companies and institutions create a dynamic atmosphere for progress in the Corridor’s microelectronics and nanotechnology sector.

About The Florida High Tech Corridor Council:
The Florida High Tech Corridor Council was established by the Legislature in 1996 to attract, retain and grow high tech industry and to help develop the workforce to support those industries in the 21-county service areas of the University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida. In January 2005, the Council welcomed the University of Florida as a full partner of this unique economic development initiative, merging the strengths of three world-class universities and bringing the number of Corridor counties to 23.

The Corridor Council is a partnership involving more than 20 local and regional economic development organizations (EDOs) and 14 community colleges serving the 23-county region. The Council itself is made-up of the presidents of the three state universities, the presidents of two of the community colleges who serve on a rotating basis, the president of the Florida Institute of Technology, and up to 24 representatives of high tech industry. Those partnerships have resulted in a strategic approach to high tech economic development that involves matching funds research, workforce development, cultivation of technology communities and a marketing program leveraging governmental, EDO, and corporate budgets on a regional rather than local basis.

Corridor partners cooperate to identify and initiate pro-industry legislative and tax incentives, develop and provide innovative credit and non-credit training programs, and invest in infrastructure-building projects to increase Florida’s strength as a nationally-recognized, high-technology region. Since 1996, the Florida High Tech Corridor Council has partnered with more than 250 companies on 800 research projects. The Council’s investment of more than $50 million has contributed to more than $170 million in total research that has been used to retain more than 1,500 graduate and doctoral students.

The high technology focus areas of the Council are based on key strengths of the universities, and include:

• Agrictechnology
• Aviation & Aerospace
• Biotechnology
• Digital Media & Interactive Entertainment
• Financial Services
• Information Technology
• Life Sciences & Medical Technologies
• Manufacturing Design
• Marine Technologies
• Microelectronics & Nanotechnology
• Modeling, Simulation & Training
• Optics & Photonics
• Sustainable Energy
• Telecommunications

PHABRIX Ships World’s First Portable 3G Eye & Jitter Test And Measurement Instrument At IBC 2009

July 28, 2009

Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom – PHABRIX Ltd., a leading UK based test and measurement provider for video systems, announced the release of the PHABRIX SxE, the world’s only hand held portable eye and jitter test device operating at 3G-SDI, HD-SDI and SD-SDI to be shown at IBC Amsterdam.

With IBC just weeks away, PHABRIX, a leading provider of test and measurement instruments, will be shipping its revolutionary PHABRIX SxE in Hall 8 E23 at IBC. Offering 3G-SDI, HD-SDI, and SD-SDI analysis with eye and jitter measurement on a handheld platform, this world’s first is sure to be one of the big hits of the show.

This remarkable new unit has all the features of PHABRIX’s 2008 IABM award winning PHABRIX SxA with a combined generator, analyser and monitor enabling the user to generate at one standard and analyse at another. With AES support and 16 channels of audio, the PHABRIX SxE has already been pre-ordered by many existing companies delighted by the PHABRIX SxA. The PHABRIX SxE offers automatic measurements, multiple eyes, dedicated jitter screen, histograms and decade filters – features more associated with expensive bench bound products.

OB companies particularly will see the PHABRIX SxE as a much needed tool with eye measurements and error detection on cables as well as cable length parameters.

It is not often that a product is released that encapsulates so distinctly the essence of British ingenuity however the new SxE hand held test and measurement instrument with eye and jitter functionality from PHABRIX may just have set itself in that mould.

Having successfully launched the PHABRIX SxA, a three in one portable testing device at IBC2008, offering a combined generator, analyzer and monitor supporting three generations of SDI signals (3G-SDI, HD-SDI and SD-SDI), this UK based company demonstrated its 3G eye and jitter advancement on its stand at BVE2009 in February and now plans to launch the PHABRIX SxE officially at NAB2009 in April.

Phillip Adams, PHABRIX’s owner and Managing Director commented, “Eye and jitter measurement at 3Gbps is seen by many as the ‘Holy Grail’ of SDI interface testing, and the challenges of designing such functionality into a product, let alone a hand held one, are considerable. From the outset we set ourselves the task of creating a product which would not only address the needs of the industry to be compliant with SMPTE specifications but which would also offer the analysis tools required to determine the possible sources of non-compliance.

“One of the most significant challenges was the need to ensure low power consumption and to achieve this we had to go back to fundamental design principles. Space too was a factor and of course keeping the cost down was also essential. In the whole design we have tried to leverage mobile technologies – the processor, battery and power management circuits. Like all good innovators we have incorporated leading edge technology from other industries.

“In pure engineering terms the challenge required an eye sampling system with an analogue input bandwidth in excess of 7.5 GHz. The fundamental frequency of a 3Gbps signal is 1.5 GHz and to accurately represent that signal you need at least a third harmonic and preferably a fifth. Imagine the cost of an oscilloscope with this kind of input bandwidth and you can begin to understand the challenge.

“Another major challenge was to create a sampling clock with extremely low jitter, the creation of which is also pushing technological boundaries. At 3Gbps we have just 337 picoseconds across the eye which must be sampled with a clock with significantly better than 33 picoseconds peak to peak jitter.”

The PHABRIX SxE is available in a standard form with tools focussed on confirming compliance to SMPTE specifications. A single screen displays an eye diagram and jitter thermometers providing the engineer with a quick go/no-go indication and is intended as a fast, portable device for engineers. Applications include OB trucks, transmission stations through to large broadcast installations.

The analysis option for the PHABRIX SxE adds an additional jitter screen plus enhancements to the eye display and is focussed toward broadcast manufacturers who have a need for high end analysis tools at an affordable price. Here the PHABRIX SxE uses hardware and software algorithms usually associated with very expensive bench-bound equipment.

Histograms give statistical information which can be used to accurately measure rise time, fall time and amplitude. These automatic accurate measurements can then be logged for extended periods of time. Measurements like rise time and fall time are notoriously difficult to make with SDI signals and here the PHABRIX SxE excels, providing user friendly automatic measurements even in the presence of excessive jitter.

In addition to the standard timing and alignment jitter filters, decade filters are provided allowing an engineer to analyse the frequency content of any jitter present. The number of eyes displayed is adjustable from one eye up to one frame of eyes – a very useful feature for detecting source related power supply problems.

Multiple eye selection also enables analysis when serialiser jitter is present: Products process video in either a 10 or 20 bit parallel data domain which is subsequently transmitted as a single bit serial data stream. By triggering every 10 or 20 eyes you can reveal repetitive parallel clock domain jitter in equipment being analysed.

The separate jitter analysis screen incorporated into the advanced option enables the engineer to analyse the nature of jitter present using a graph of jitter versus time. Again, the decade filters are present and the time base can be adjusted from 1 line through to 1 frame. By analysing jitter in this detailed way an engineer can determine if a signal is in or out of specification and also get a feel for where any problems lie. A spiky waveform could indicate power supply noise and these visual clues aid the diagnosis. Vertical gain and horizontal magnify controls are provided to help further identify problems.

With all the generation, analysis and monitoring tools of the highly successful SxA, the PHABRIX SxE with eye and jitter is set to create quite an entrance at NAB2009. Held within a newly designed extruded aluminium case with its distinctive PHABRIX brand end caps, the PHABRIX SxE will be on every broadcast engineer’s wish list – and the price is comparable to a single option on many of its high end competitors’ products.

In a new announcement, PHABRIX will also be releasing it’s PHABRIX SxD, a dual link version of the range targeted at high end post facilities and studios offering 3G Level A and Level B support. Philip Adams, PHABRIX’s founder and managing director said: ‘The PHABRIX SxE is a key technological advance for the broadcast industry and for PHABRIX. We’ve a lot to shout about on our stand this year with the PHABRIX SxE, PHABRIX SxA and PHABRIX SxD all available.’ (Source: PHABRIX Ltd.)

In November 2001, the U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Northrop Grumman Space Technology (Formerly TRW Space & Electronics) a $2.698 billion contract to begin the System Development and Demonstration (SDD) phase of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (Advanced EHF) Program. The Advanced EHF Program is the next generation of global, highly secure, survivable communications system for Warfighters within all services of the Department of Defense.

The SDD phase will deploy two Advance EHF satellites and the Advance EHF mission control segment. The new mission control segment will support both Milstar and AEHF. Lockheed Martin will serve as the developer of the ground segment, satellite bus provider, space vehicle integrator and overall systems integrator and prime contractor. This role builds on Lockheed Martin’s successful experience on Milstar and DSCS. Northrop Grumman will provide the payload and associated components (digital processor and RF equipment).

The MILSATCOM Program Office, located at the Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the Advanced EHF contract manager and lead agency for ensuring the secure communications capabilities of this system are made available to the warfighter. The Advanced EHF Program is the follow-on to the DoD’s Milstar highly secure communication satellite program, which currently has a four-satellite operational constellation. The last Milstar satellite was successfully launched in April 2003. As envisioned by the Pentagon, the fully operational Advanced EHF constellation will consist of four crosslinked satellites providing coverage of the Earth from 65 degrees north latitude to 65 degrees south. These satellites will provide more data throughput capability and coverage flexibility to regional and global military operations than ever before. A fifth satellite built could be used as a spare or launched to provide additional capability to the envisioned constellation.

Advanced EHF satellites will provide 10 times greater total capacity and offer channel data rates six times higher than that of Milstar II communications satellites. The higher data rates permit transmission of tactical military communications such as real-time video, battlefield maps and targeting data. To accomplish this, Advanced EHF adds new higher data rate modes to the low data rate and medium data rate modes of Milstar II satellites. The higher data rate modes will provide data rates up to 8.2 million bits of data per second (Mbps) to future Advanced EHF Army terminals. That rate is more than 150 times faster than the 56 kilobit-per-second modems of today’s personal computers. Each Advanced EHF satellite employs more than 50 communications channels via multiple, simultaneous downlinks. For global communications, the Advanced EHF system uses inter-satellite crosslinks, eliminating the need to route messages via terrestrial systems.

AEHF Mission

The Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) System is a joint service satellite communications system that provides global, secure, protected, and jam resistant communications for high-priority military ground, sea, and air assets. The system consists of three satellites in geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) that provide 10 to 100 times the capacity of the 1990s-era Milstar satellites. A constellation of three AEHF augmented by a Transformational Communications Satellite (TSAT) will provide continuous 24-hour coverage. Advanced EHF will allow the National Security Council and Unified Combatant Commanders to control their tactical and strategic forces at all levels of conflict through general nuclear war and support the attainment of information superiority. The AEHF System is a follow-on to the Milstar system, augmenting and improving on the capabilities of Milstar, and expanding the MILSATCOM architecture to enable Transformational Communications and Network-Centric Warfare. AEHF will provide connectivity across the spectrum of mission areas including land, air, and naval warfare; special operations; strategic nuclear operations; strategic defense; theater missile defense; and space operations and intelligence.

AEHF Description

The AEHF system is composed of three segments: space (the satellites), terminals (the users), and ground (mission control and associated communications links). The segments will provide communications in a specified set of data rates from 75 bps to approximately 8 Mbps. The space segment consists of a cross-linked constellation of three satellites. The mission control segment controls satellites on orbit, monitors satellite health and provides communication system planning and monitoring. This segment is highly survivable, with both fixed and mobile control stations. System uplinks and crosslinks will operate in the extremely high frequency (EHF) range and downlinks in the super high frequency (SHF) range. The terminal segment includes fixed and mobile ground terminals, ship and submarine terminals, and airborne terminals, including the Family of Advanced Beyond Line-of-Sight-Terminal (FAB-T), used by all of the Services and international partners (Canada, Netherlands and UK). The AEHF satellites will respond directly to service requests from operational commanders and user terminals, providing real-time point-to-point connectivity and network services on a priority basis. On-board signal processing will provide protection and ensure optimum resource utilization and system flexibility among the Armed Forces and other users who operate terminals on land, sea, and air. The AEHF system will be integrated into the legacy Milstar constellation, and will be backward compatible with Milstar’s low data rate (LDR) and medium data rate (MDR) capabilities, while providing extended data rates (XDR) and larger capacity at substantially less cost than the Milstar system. Each satellite will be launched on an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) with the first launch planned for April 2008. The AEHF Satellite Communications System will augment and replace the Milstar constellation, improve DoD EHF capability, and enable Transformational Communications and Network-Centric Warfare. The MILSATCOM Systems Wing is responsible for the development, acquisition and sustainment of the AEHF Program.

General Characteristics

Primary function: Global, secure, survivable satellite communications

Primary contractor: Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company Satellite Bus: A2100 line

Weight: Approximately 14,500 lbs at launch, 9,000 lbs on-orbit

Orbit-Altitude: 22,300 Miles (geosynchronous)

Payload: Onboard signal processing, crossbanded EHF/SHF communications

Antennas: 2 SHF Downlink Phased Arrays, 2 Crosslinks, 2 Uplink/Downlink Nulling Antennas, 1 Uplink EHF Phased Array, 6 Uplink/Downlink Gimbaled Dish Antenna, 1 Each Uplink/Downlink earth coverage horns

Capability: Data rates from 75 bps to approximately 8 Mbps

Number of Terminals Supported: 6,000

Reconfigurations Time: Minutes

Launch Vehicle: Delta IV and Atlas V EELVs

Inventory: 3 satellites ordered

Unit Cost: Approximately $580 Million per satellite

Test equipment utilized for projects of this type includes spectrum analyzers, network analyzers and oscilloscopes.

Four-in-One Vector Network Analyzer that Covers Microwave Applications

Rohde & Schwarz R&S ZVL13 – The Four-in-One Vector Network Analyser that covers Microwave applications

Cost-Efficient ▪ Multi-Purpose ▪ Compact ▪ Future-Proof Instrument

Reasons to Consider the R&S ZVL13 Vector Network Analyzer

• Addresses microwave applications up to 13.6 GHz
• Measures uplink frequencies of satellite Ku band at 15 GHz overrange
• An option (ZVL-K1) to enable a full spectrum analyzer (R&S FSL)
• Completely bidirectional two-port network analyzer as a standard
• Calibrate cables, antennas, and coupling networks for conducted measurements using low start frequency at 9 kHz
• Portable for field applications via DC/battery power operations
• 4-in-1 instrument shortens design and production times, andsimplifies single connection component / device testing

How The R&S ZVL Will Meet Your Needs
Research & Development Small Design Labs Friendly – ZVLs help small design labs to optimize bench space and to remain within capital expenditure budgets.

Production High Throughput – Remote controlled switchover from VNA to SPA, and vice versa; and 500 kHz bandwidth supports short measurement times.

Satellite Communications Ku band Uplink supported – With 15 GHz overrange, ZVL13 measures 14 to 14.5 GHz uplink frequencies of DVB-S (Astra or fixed svc. satellite).

Mobile & Wireless Comm. Spurious Emissions Measurements – Dynamic range of >100 dB and 13.6 GHz frequency range is ideal for manually tuning diplex filters.

Field Use / Mobile Applications Light Weight & Compact Form Factor – 15.4 lbs (7 kg), battery and DC operations support portable and mobile uses.

Installation & Service Multi-Purpose Instrument – Combination network analyzer, spectrum analyzer and power meter in a single instrument increases work efficiency.

R&S ZVL13 Applications Include:

• Satellite Communications – support of uplink frequencies in Ku band
• Mobile Communications – manually tuning of diplex filters of base stations
• Universities – wide range of functions supported on one instrument with a low price
• Small Design Laboratories – multi-function instrument
• Manufacturers – cables, connectors, combiners, diplexers, switches, etc.
• Field Services & Installation – small form factor and lightweight

What Makes the R&S ZVL Vector Network Analyzers a Great Value?
All R&S ZVL instruments operate as Network Analyzers, Signal Analyzers, Spectrum Analyzers and high accuracy Power Meters in one. The 9 kHz start frequency addresses the commercial EMC standards, and are important in calibrating cables, antennas or coupling networks for conducted measurements.

The new R&S ZVL13 going up to 13.6 GHz addresses the stop band attenuation of filters for base stations, and measures uplink frequency of Ku band satellite systems.

As multi-function instruments ZVLs serve to reduce design time and improve production throughput. Portability with DC and battery operation in a compact and light weight form factor, makes it just the right instrument for mobile applications, such as field installation and on-site service & maintenance.

Embedded usually means DC-powered electronics sometimes run by batteries. But military systems are different: They can require high DC voltages (28 VDC for vetronics) and even high-current AC in many airborne platforms. Alternating current is more efficient in these instances and is eventually converted into DC for the electronic suites. Chroma Systems Solutions offers a way to rig three 18 KW 1- and 3-phase units in parallel to source up to 54 KW. The lab testing-oriented 61501 and 61601 are programmable and use advanced DSP algorithms to generate very clean sine waves with a total distortion that’s less than 0.5 percent at 50/60 Hz. Designed to test aerospace systems in accordance with MIL-STD-704F, RTCA DO-160D, and ABD100, the units offer power line disturbance simulation, programmable output impedance, wave-shape synthesis, and the ability to simulate harmonic components in the waveforms to simulate dirty power often found in deployed applications. Front-panel programmability includes an LCD and keypad, along with remote control via GPIB, RS-232, USB, or Ethernet. LabVIEW drivers are even available. (source Military Embedded Systems)

Chroma Systems Solutions 61500 Series High-power AC power source 12K VA – 18 KVA

• 1 – 3 Phase

• Highest performance ACS source with power analyzer functions built-in

• Provides 0-300 VAC or 0-424VDC output from a single source

• Built-in DSP provides for voltage transient simulations, harmonic current measurements and compliance testing to many IEC and military standards

Chroma 61500/61600 series are able to provide precision measurements such as RMS voltage, RMS current, true power, power factor, current crest factor and so on. By applying the advanced DSP technology, model 61511/61512 can measure THD and up to 40 orders of current harmonic components. And 61511/61512 can easily simulate power line disturbance  (PLD) by LIST, PULSE and STEP modes. They also allow users to compose different harmonic components to synthesize their own harmonic distorted wave-shapes. Besides that, users can program a sweeping frequency component incorporate with fundamental voltage to find the resonance points of UUT. To simulate the natural waveform, the 61500 series also provides an external analog input to amplify the analog signal from arbitrary signal generator. Thus, it is capable of simulating the unique waveform observed in the field.

On 15 June, tens of thousands of people from around the world joined in celebrating the enormous benefits of wind power during the first ever Global Wind Day. In a joint effort between the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) and many national wind energy associations, over 200 events and activities were organised in 35 different countries, spreading the Wind Day messages to around a million people. Ranging from wind farm open days, conferences, exhibitions, workshops and information days to regattas, sporting contests and theatre shows, there was something for everyone, everywhere.

On Global Wind Day Megger riders raised wind power awareness and scholarship money by participating in a 180 mile motorcycle ride. On Monday, June 15 Rodney Vargas and Jeff Hyde of Megger joined riders from North Texas in the first annual Ride for Wind. The ride, organized by Shermco Industries, Inc. a leader in wind generator repair and maintenance was part of Global Wind Day 2009.  Rodney, Jeff and the other riders braved 100+ degrees of pavement heat to raise money for a scholarship fund offered by Women of Wind Energy (WoWE). The ride started at 10 a.m. in Tin Top, Texas and ended 180 miles later at Possum Kingdom Lake passing wind farms in North Texas along the way.  “We were happy to raise around $1800 for the WoWE group to help fund a scholarship,” Rodney said.

Infrared electrical inspections are safe, fast, and reliable when conducted with an infrared camera. Infrared cameras are non-contact instruments so inspections can be performed at any time without shutting down operations at the facility being inspected. Thermal inspection of commercial and residentional buildings enjoy the same advantages too.

Electrical Safety Inspections
Identify overloaded circuits, loose/corroded connections, and failing breakers in electrical panels
Identify blown fuses, overloads, phase imbalance, and harmonics problems
Identify hot spots from high resistance connections

Energy Efficiency Surveys
Identify inefficient heating and cooling transfer
Identify draft sources from missing insulation in rafters/walls/floors
Identification of problem areas helps reduce heat gain/loss and carbon footprint

Infrared Cameras Assist in the Detection of Swine Flu
Several major airports in Asia discovered the benefit of infrared cameras in conjunction with the outbreak of SARS a couple of years ago and now use infrared cameras to scan whether arriving travellers can be contaminated with the N1H1 virus (AKA swine flu).

Infrared Cameras Help Firefighters Save Lives
Infrared technology is recognized as essential in fire rescue operations where lives are at stake and are a symbiotic fire fighters tool in their efforts to gain real-time tactical data. Infrared technology designed to sense and display heat signatures, the cameras provide  “night vision” or the ability to see in dark places as well as smoke filled environments, which is priceless in the decision making process. Infrared thermal imaging systems are being integrated globally into fire control, management and firefighting services throughout the world.

These powerful tools are also used for locating moisture problems in buildings. Instead of searching with a moisture meter an inch at a time, an infrared camera provides the ability to scan an entire room in a matter of minutes. By locating the thermal changes from evaporative moisture cooling in drywall, carpet, ceiling tiles, etc., inspectors can moisture map the entire building and isolate problems before providing an estimate for repairs.

Building and Preventive Maintenance
Discovers sources of moisture in roofs and areas behind walls
Checks air distribution for blockages in pipes, damaged duct work, and insulation gaps
Check fluid distribution for stuck valves and burst pipes

Some Popular Infrared Cameras / Thermal Imagers include:

Fluke FLK-INSXS-20

FLIR EX320

Ideal Industries HeatSeeker P-2856

Martel BetaGauge PI

The BetaGauge P. I. Digital Pressure Test Gauge takes the concept of an analog Test Gauge, and brings it to a new level, as only Beta Calibrators can do. The BetaGauge P. I. combines the accuracy of digital technology with the simplicity of an analog gauge, and achieves performance, ease-of-use, and a feature set unmatched in the pressure measurement world. Setup of the BetaGauge P. I. is fast and straightforward, through a menu-driven display, with minimal text, and intuitive functions, that is simple enough to allow the gauge to be used anywhere in the world, without the need for multilingual displays.

Martel BetaGauge PIR

As with the original high accuracy BetaGauge PI gauges, the BetaGauge PIR takes the concept of a simple analog Test Gauge and combines it with the accuracy of digital technology. The new Reference Class gauges provide exceptional performance with ±0.04% of reading accuracy, especially when operated below 50% of their range. The Reference Class BetaGauge PIR digital test gauges are available six ranges – 30 psi Compound, 30 psig, 100 psig, 500 psig, 1,000 psig, and 3,000 psig. Setup of the BetaGauge PIR is fast and straightforward, through a menu-driven display, with minimal text and intuitive functions, that is simple enough to allow the gauge to be used anywhere in the world without the need for multilingual displays. Pressure readings are displayed in any one of 18 standard engineering units, or in user-defined custom units, eliminating tedious conversion calculations. Readings are displayed on a 5-1/2 digit, 0.65″ high digital display and companion percent-of-range bar graph. Accuracy is temperature-compensated over a 0 to +50 °C range. The internal temperature sensor measurement can be displayed in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit.

Crystal XP2i

The new and improved XP2i has all of the innovative features of the XP2 digital pressure gauge and more. Now Intrinsically Safe, Class I, Division I, Groups A, B, C, and D, temperature code T4 with a backlit display. Available with optional dual line pressure display to view peak and live pressure simultaneously – ideal for relief valve testing

About Martel Calibrators:

Martel Electronics, founded in 1987 by David DeVries Sr. and Thomas Fatur, is a major manufacturer of test and measurement equipment, including calibrators. Our calibration products are used in the installation and maintenance of industrial instrumentation and OEM applications. With our strategic partnerships with leading OEMs serving the process industry, allows us to incorporate the latest technology and maintain high quality standards. Our products are sold through a network of expert and knowledge distributors.

Accuracy Comparison Chart for Martel Betagauges Models – PI, PIR vs the Crystal XP2i

A phase fluctuation of a signal is an oscillating movement with an amplitude and a frequency. Wander is defined as the phase error comprised in the frequency band between 0 and 10 Hz of the spectrum of the phase variation. If this frequency is higher than 10 Hz, it is known as Jitter. Jitter is the time variation characteristic of a periodic signal in electronics and telecommunications, often in relation to a reference clock source. Jitter may be observed in characteristics such as the frequency of successive pulses, the signal amplitude, or phase of periodic signals. Jitter is a significant and undesired factor in the design of typically all communications links. Jitter can be quantified in the same terms as all time-varying signals (RMS, Peak-to-Peak Displacement), also like other time-varying signals, Jitter can be expressed in terms of spectral density. Jitter period is the interval between two times of maximum or minimum effect of a signal characteristic that varies regularly with time. Jitter frequency, the most common figure, is its inverse. Very low Jitter frequency is not a standard interest in designing systems, and the low-frequency cutoff for Jitter is typically specified at 1 Hz.

Types of Jitter

• Random Jitter or Gaussian Jitter, is an unpredictable electronic timing noise.

• Deterministic Jitter is a type of clock timing Jitter or data signal Jitter that is predictable and reproducible. (AKA Periodic Jitter, Data-Dependent Jitter or Duty-Cycle Dependent Jitter)

Testing for Jitter and its measurement is of great importance to electronics engineers because of the ever increasing clock frequencies in digital electronic circuits aimed at achieving higher device performance. Testing of device performance for Jitter tolerance often involves the injection of Jitter into electronic components with specialized test equipment. Jitter is measured and evaluated in various ways depending on the type of circuitry under test and the goal of Jitter measurement is to verify that the Jitter will not disrupt normal operation of the circuitry.

Some popular T&M equipment used for Jitter testing:

Lecroy WavePro 715Zi Digital Oscilloscope with the Jitter and Timing Analysis Package (WPZi-JTA2) WPZi-JTA2 adds Specialized timing parameters measure period, cycle-cycle, half period, width, etc. Jitter on a variety of signals. Use the three views of Jitter (statistical, time, and frequency) to understand root cause and to debug problems. Histograms provide understanding of statistical distributions. Tracks provide a means to show time-correlated peaks of Jitter, and compare to other signals. FFTs provide the ability to debug root causes of high in-circuit Jitter.

Agilent 37717C Communications Performance Analyzer can be configured as a dual standard SONET/SDH analyzer for BER and Jitter tests which makes it the ideal tool for testing network equipment in a manufacturing environment.

Rohde & Schwarz UPV Audio Analyser includes Jitter analysis and interface testing.

Tektronix CSA7154 Communication Analyzer offers complete Eye Pattern Measurements Suite Including Extinction Ratio, Q-factor, Eye Height/width, Jitter and Noise