Handheld tester suits process control. Half the size of a cellular phone, the RE-57 measures liquid flow rates in industrial and medical environments. The handheld, battery-operated instrument performs such functions as frequency and duty-cycle or proportionate measurement, frequency generation, and real-time flow-rate calculations (computed by entering a constant via the keypad). The RE-57’s standard output is a square wave; optional expansion modules yield sine-, triangular-, and sawtooth-wave output. Prices range from $1400 to $1649. Regal Electronics Inc, Magnetics Division, Santa Clara, CA. (408) 988-2288.

Functional tester targets telecommunications industry. The GR3000 communications test and measurement system performs functional tests on telecommunications products, ranging from voice to optical. Functional verification is provided for such technologies as SDH/SONET, ISDN, primary rate (DS1/E1), PBX, multiplexer, and analog line cards. GenRad Inc, Concord, MA. (508) 287-7000.

Test stations debug mixed-signal devices. Two test stations, the MTS Blazer and MTS FT, target high-speed data converters and other mixed-signal devices requiring critical timing analysis. You can configure MTS test stations for digital data rates as high as 200 MHz and having as many as 448 digital I/O pins. Each station provides analog-signal distribution at a 1-GHz bandwidth and 64 analog channels for testing mixed-signal devices from dc through RF. A typical MTS station configured to test 16- to 18-bit converters costs $225,000. Integrated Measurement Systems Inc, Beaverton, OR. (503) 626-7117.

Test system handles large pc boards. The Z1884VP board test system provides as many as 5120 nonmultiplexed driver channels. It comes with four card cages and accommodates as many as 40 32-channel driver/receiver cards. A vector-performance option with 4 Mbytes of memory permits efficient handling of long vectors for testing VLSI, ASIC, and boundary-scan devices. The price of the Z1884VP with 1536 pins starts at about $230,000. Teradyne Inc, Boston, MA. (617) 482-2700.

Production tester checks network equipment. The HP TS-2000 functional test system is a hardware and software platform for the production test of synchronous-optical-network/synchronous-digital-hierarchy or broadband ISDN elements at rates as high as 2.5 Gbps at all standard telecommunications interfaces. Like other HP TestSpan products, the TS-2000 comprises preconfigured systems, off-the-shelf test equipment and VXI-based instruments, a mass-interconnection system to minimize fixture design and development, and prewritten software utilities. Typical system prices range from $100,000 to $200,000. Hewlett-Packard, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 452-4844, ext 9965.

Spectrum analyzer spans 1 to 1250 MHz. A portable microwave spectrum analyzer covers frequencies from <1 MHz to 1250 MHz with a sensitivity of [> or equal to] 95 dBm. Accessories for the PSA-65B include the BNG-1000A tracking generator for swept measurements, the RFP-24 preamplifier for increasing sensitivity to <1 µV, the LPA-1000 log periodic antenna, and 1250-MHz-wide frequency extenders. Internal options include a 10-kHz resolution bandwidth, an FM demodulator, and an AM detector. The PSA-65B costs $2930. Avcom of Virginia Inc, Richmond, VA. (804) 794-2500.

Signal-conditioning modules enhance PC-based data acquisition. Four members join the DBK series of signal-conditioning and -expansion modules for use with IOtech’s Daq PCMCIA, DaqBook, and Daq-Board products for portable and desktop PC-based data acquisition. The DBK50 is an eight-channel isolated high-voltage-input module, and the DBK51 is an eight-channel low-voltage-input module. The DBK23 and DBK24 are 24-channel optically isolated digital input and output modules, respectively. Prices range from $495 (DBK23/24) to $1995 (DBK50/51). IOtech Inc, Cleveland, OH. (216) 439-4091.

Data logger affords wireless communications. The RTU-1 micropower data logger records and transfers data from analog and digital sensors to a PC across a radio link. The RTU-1’s Windows-compatible remote-control module consumes 50 µA at 12V dc and operates for several years before you have to recharge the battery. In addition to an internal wireless modem, the RTU-1 comes with four analog-input channels, two digital-input channels, two contact-closure output lines, a solar-panel regulator, and a battery charger. Introductory prices start at $750. Synetcom Digital Inc, Redondo Beach, CA. (310) 379-2000.

Pressure sensor is customizable. The 20PC series of miniature pressure sensors offers sensing capabilities ranging from 0 to 0.5 psi to 0 to 250 psi. Straight, barbed, threaded (M5 or 1/4-28 UNF), 90°, and needle ports ease integrating the sensor into pressure-measurement systems. Most configurations cost <$10 (OEM). Honeywell Micro Switch Division, Freeport, IL. (800) 537-6945.

Acquisition software runs under Windows 95 and Visual Basic. Visual Test Extensions (VTX) V1.02, a set of custom controls for Windows-based data acquisition, works with Microsoft’s Visual Basic V4.0. running under Windows 95 and Windows 3.1. The software lets you collect, analyze, and graph data with point-and-click graphic programming tools and ensures a smooth transfer of existing 16-bit data-acquisition applications to the latest version of Visual Basic. VTX consists of three modules, sold separately or in a bundle. Respective prices for the DAS base, analysis, and graph modules are $199, $169, and $169. The bundled price is $399. Keithley Metrabyte, Taunton, MA. (508) 880-3000.

Detector warns of carbon monoxide. Lifesaver carbon-monoxide detectors incorporate solid-state circuitry that samples and clears the sensor of gases every 2½ minutes, virtually eliminating false alarms. The seven detectors in the series range from the FYCO-1N, a 120V model that plugs into an electrical outlet, to the LCD-equipped FYCO-6N, which displays carbon-monoxide presence in parts per million. All units have an 85-dB alarm. Prices range from $39.99 to $59.99. Fyrnetics Inc, Roselle, IL. (708) 893-4592.

Board acquires 16-bit data over PCI bus. Joining the PCI-EZ family of data-acquisition boards for the PCI bus, the DT3004 provides 16-bit A/D resolution and is fully compliant with the Windows 95 Plug-and-Play configuration standard. The board offers 16 single-ended or eight differential-analog input channels and a throughput rate of 100 ksamples/sec on one channel or 50 ksamples/sec on all channels. Also included are two analog outputs and eight digital I/O lines. The DT3004 costs $1450. Data Translation, Marlboro, MA. (508) 481-3700.

Device checks computer monitor. Insert the dc power cable of your fixed or multiscan monitor into the 2.25×2.18×0.65-in. Data Sync tester to verify monitor operation and locate video display faults. The unit supports MDA, CGA, EGA, VGA, SVGA, and XGA monitor types and is offered in versions with either an outlined color bar pattern for diagnosis and repair or a sequenced red, green, and blue screen for extended burn-in testing. Each model is equipped with a dc-power jack and the appropriate female D-sub connector. Prices start at $24.95. Data Sync Engineering, Newton, MA. (201) 383-1355.

CD SEM system processes 40 wafers/hour. The KLA 8100, a CD SEM system, employs a Schottky field-emission source to perform submicron IC imaging and critical-dimension measurement with a resolution of 5 nm at 600 eV. The throughput of the system is greater than 40 wafers/hour at five measurement sites/wafer. Increased signal acquisition speed is achieved through a technique that minimizes sample exposure to the electron beam. The KLA 8100 costs $1.4 to $1.8 million. KLA Instruments Corp, San Jose, CA. (408) 434-4200.

Function generator comes on half-size XT/AT card. The PCI-303 function generator provides a method for generating analog waveforms in PC-based test systems. The half-length XT/AT card delivers sine, triangle, square, and dc waveforms over a frequency range of 10 Hz to 5 MHz. Amplitude, frequency, and offset controls have 3-digit resolution. The frequency stability for option 303-PLL is 2.5 ppm/°C. The board is bundled with BenchCom software, which includes programmer’s libraries, DLLs, utilities, and GUIs. Prices for the PCI-303 and 303-PLL option are $695 and $195, respectively. PC Instruments Inc, Twinsburg, OH. (216) 487-0220.

Module for SONET-test set provides ECL interface. An option for the VX4610 SDH/SONET analyzer, the ECL interface module is a transparent extension of the I/O plug-ins used in the VX4610. The single-width C-size VXI module accommodates inputs across the full range of SDH/SONET transmission rates and issues them as either negative or positive ECL levels. Output signals appear in single-ended or differential form, determined by front-panel switch settings. The interface module, called Option 02 ECL, costs $2500. Tektronix Inc, Beaverton, OR. (800) 426-2200.

PCMCIA cards offer digital I/O and serial links. Joining the DASCard line of PCMCIA-based portable data-acquisition products is the PIO-12, a board that provides 24-bit parallel digital I/O. The PIO-12 works with Visual Test Extensions (VTX), the vendor’s custom data-acquisition controls for Visual Basic. The DASCard 232 and 422/485 let you add standard serial interfaces to notebook computers. Respective prices for the DASCard PIO-12, DASCard 232, and DASCard 422/485 are $199, $229, and $229. Keithley Metrabyte, Taunton, MA. (508) 880-3000.

Graphing software redesigned for Windows 95. Fully compatible with Windows 95 and NT, SigmaPlot 3.0 scientific graphing software provides 32-bit performance with multitasking, as well as full support for the Windows interface, including tool tips and long filenames. For Windows 3.1, the program includes the Microsoft 32s system update, which allows 16-bit systems to run 32-bit SigmaPlot. The software also adds polar plots and category axes to its list of graph types, along with 3-D scatter, mesh, trajectory, and bar charts. SigmaPlot 3.0 costs $495; the upgrade price is $199. Jandel Scientific Software, San Rafael, CA. (415) 453-6700.

EMC analysis tool runs under Windows 95. The SpectralSim spectrum analyzer provides insight into the sources of radiated emissions on your high-speed pc-board layouts. The software, which is compatible with Windows 95, NT, and 3.1, is offered as an option for the BoardSim time-domain signal integrity simulator. SpectralSim provides selectable bandwidth and center frequency, a choice of log or linear vertical scale, and simultaneous display of frequency and time-domain results. The software costs $995. HyperLynx Inc, Redmond, WA. (206) 869-2320.

VMEbus controllers move data across MXIbus. Members of a family of VMEbus controllers based on the MXI-2 architecture form a software-transparent bus that links PCI- or ISA-based computers to the VMEbus. The VME-PCI8010 for PCI computers, the VME-AT4010 for EISA or ISA computers, and the VME-MXI-2 mainframe extender for VME mainframes all employ custom ASICs that provide direct connections to the PCIbus, VMEbus, and the MXIbus. The VME-PCI8010 transfers data across the MXIbus at a sustained rate of 23 Mbytes/sec and at a peak rate of 33 Mbytes/sec. Prices for the VME-PCI8010, VME-AT4010, and VME-MXI-2 are $3400, $3100, and $1895, respectively. National Instruments, Austin, TX. (512) 794-0100.

Capacitive sensors accommodate external sensing element. Self-contained sensors that generate a low-power capacitive field can detect intrusion into the field with a dielectric constant higher than one. The Model PC40 offers switched npn and pnp outputs and the PCA40 provides an analog output. Both sensors can accept an external expanded sensing element to enhance the sensitivity of the 1.5-in.-square internal sensor or meet application-specific sensing requirements. Operating voltage is 10 to 30V dc; operating current is 12 mA. The PC40 costs $88; the PCA40 costs $110. Gorden Products Inc, Brookfield, CT. (203) 775-4501.