Windows 95 software stops viruses.

F-PROT Professional for Windows provides real time protection against >7000 known viruses, including Boza, and unknown viruses that can corrupt Windows 95 programs. The program is certified under the National Computer Security Association guidelines. A single user version costs $170; a 25-user site license sells for $995. Command Software, Jupiter, FL. (407) 575-3200.

VXIbus module adds programmable filtering.

A filter and amplifier module for VXIbus data-acquisition supplies eight channels of four or eight-pole, 8 bit programmable filtering with a 100-dB attenuation floor, sufficient for 16-bit ADCs, in five tuning ranges from 1 Hz to 102.4 kHz. The C sized module also offers jumper-selectable signal gain factors of 1, 10, 100, and 1000, accurate to within ±2%. Channel to channel crosstalk is -96 dB max at the corner frequency. The board, which conforms to the VXIplug & play Systems Alliance, costs $4980 and $6500 for the four and eight-pole versions, respectively. Frequency Devices Inc, Haverhill, MA. (508) 374-0761.

Software speeds client/ server GUI testing.

A suite of integrated tools for testing Windows-based client/server applications automatically creates and executes tests. TestSuite 4.0 includes 32-bit Windows 95 and Windows NT versions of WinRunner and TestDirector. WinRunner's Script Wizard navigates the graphical user interface (GUI) of the application under test to automatically develop GUI test scripts. TestDirector, a test planning and management tool, employs a Plan Wizard that generates a test tree from which you can structure a test plan. Prices start at $3495. Mercury Interactive Corp, Sunnyvale, CA. (408) 523-9900.

5-kV source caps output voltage noise.

The Model 248 voltage supply comes in a 3.5-in. high, half-rack package and delivers as much as ±5 kV at a maximum output current of 5 mA. Voltage set accuracy is ±(0.01% of setting plus 0.05% of range). The instrument provides low noise on the output voltage and programmable output filters. Without filter, ripple (10 Hz to 100 kHz) is <0.002% of full scale rms voltage. With filter 1, output is limited to 3 kV at 5 mA with maximum noise of 3.5 mV. Filter 2 limits the output to 5 kV at 3 mA with noise of 5 mV-rms maximum. The Model 248 comes with an IEEE 488 interface and costs $2395. Keithley Instruments Inc, Cleveland, OH. (216) 248-0400.

Windows software displays real-time instruments.

Windows 95 versions of LabTech Notebook, Notebookpro, Control, Controlpro, and LabTechnet permit real time data acquisition and process control on a PC. The software supports 32-bit object-linking and embedding (OLE) controls (OCXs), plug and play operation, and long file names. V9's OCXs let you incorporate acquired data into any OLE 2.0 Windows 95 application. LabTechnet moves OCXs across the Internet, LANs, or wide area networks for local dynamic display. Prices range from $295 to $3495. Laboratory Technologies Corp, Wilmington, MA. (508) 657-5400.

Software predicts hardware reliability.

The Relax software program comes in versions for Windows, Macintosh, and DOS. The program helps you evaluate hardware reliability, predict MTBF, and pinpoint areas that need improvement. The program supports the Bellcore Reliability Prediction Procedure Issue 5, MIL-HDBK-217, and French CNET standards. It includes updated reliability models for nearly all components, including ICs, resistors, capacitors, and inductors, as well as expanded parts libraries with the NPRD-95 database. Prices start at $995. Innovative Software Designs Inc, Greensburg, PA. (412) 836-8800.

Upgraded device programmer increases ESD protection.

For use with Microchip's line of PIC16/17 8-bit microcontrollers, this enhanced version of the Pro Mate universal device programmer provides three levels of overcurrent protection and ESD immunity as high as 15 kV for rugged environments. The Pro Mate II also supplies four auto-alignment pins, a smaller and lighter power supply, and an improved LCD. Software enhancements include a safe mode that prevents accidental corruption of master code in production environments. The PC-hosted Pro Mate II costs $695. Microchip Technology Inc, Chandler, AZ. (602) 786-7200.

Voltage-reference instrument keeps 0.1% accuracy.

Based on a Thaler VRE305 5V-dc reference IC, the Model 304 and 304X provide outputs of ±10V dc, a 10V p-p square wave at 1000 Hz, and a 10V-rms, 1000-Hz sine waveÑall accurate to within 0.1% after a 30-minute warm-up. Long-term stability is within 1 mV/1000 hours. The Model 304 comes in an aluminum cabinet and accommodates an internal voltage divider, and the 304X uses an external divider. Both types cost $149.95 each (unassembled and without the voltage divider). TDL Electronics Inc, Las Cruces, NM. (505) 382-8175.

Transformer programs output voltage from in-put current.

When connected to a data-acquisition or -control system, the B5303 series of current to voltage transducers converts a 0 to 200A, 50 to 400 Hz current measurement into a programmable control or instrument voltage as high as 0 to 10V ac. An external fixed or variable load resistor determines the output voltage range. The B5303 is a toroidally wound transformer with a 0.7-in. inside diameter and a 2-in. outside diameter. The unit costs $10 in large quantities. Bicron Electronics Co, Canaan, CT. (860) 824-5125.

Pressure sensors come in corrosion-proof housing.

Intended for use in harsh environments, the 19C series of pressure sensors comprises 28 devices in seven measurement ranges, from 0 to 15 through 0 to 500 psig in absolute and gauge pressures. The laser trimmed sensors, which come in a 19 mm stainless steel housing with a 4-in., flat ribbon cable, deliver a 100-mV full scale output accurate to within ±1%. All devices are temperature-compensated to limit typical thermal shifts to within ±1.0%/8C from 0 to 508C. Combined linearity, hysteresis, and repeatability are within ±0.50%. Prices start at $40.25 (100). SenSym Inc, Milpitas, CA. (408) 954-1100.

Miniature accelerometer measures 5000g impacts.

Designed for measuring high-impact levels during crash testing, the Model CTA-1 strain gauge accelerometer weighs <1g, minimizing the mass added to the measured object. The device has a frequency range from dc to 2500 Hz and a peak-measurement range of 5000g. The accelerator's four active arms have a full-scale output of 400 mV. A rugged, anodized aluminum housing and overload protection of 2.5 X the full scale capacity give the device added durability for operating in industrial environments. The CTA-1 costs $505. Sensotec Inc, Columbus, OH. (614) 486-7723.

Discount packages bundle acquisition hardware/software.

Value Packages reduce the price of combined data-acquisition hardware and software by as much as 50% over the cost of purchasing the components separately, according to the vendor. The DAS-1201 Value Package bundles the DAS-1201 data-acquisition board, an ASO board driver, and VTX-DAS 1.1 application-development software for $389, representing a savings of $458, or 54%. Similarly discounted bundles of ASO and VTX software come with DAS-1400, DAS-1600, DAS-1800, and DASCard-1000 series cards. Keithley Metrabyte, Taunton, MA. (508) 880-3000.

Memory tester checks 168-pin DRAM DIMMs.

An adapter for the SIMCheck Plus memory tester lets the unit test 168-pin dual-in-line memory modules (DIMMs) with basic configurations of X 64, X 72, and X 80 bits. Simply plug the DIMMCheck 168P adapter into the 40-bit port expansion slot of the SIMcheck tester, insert the module, and press F1 to initiate the fully automatic test. Test results identify the size, speed, type, and structure of the DRAM module. The DIMMCheck 168P costs $295. Innovations Inc, Houston, TX. (713) 879-6226.

Software performs feature prototyping.

Running on a PC or Unix workstation, Altia Design software simulates real components in an interactive prototype. Release 2.0 offers a control editor that lets you create functionally complete prototypes without a complex programming or scripting language. The control editor works with the vendor's behavior and graphics editors to prototype features before development. The software also provides a DXF reader for importing CAD data. The PC version costs $5900; Unix versions cost $9900. Altia, Inc, Colorado Springs, CO. (719) 598-4299.

Windows graphing program lets you drag and drop.

With the Axum 4.1 technical graphics and data-analysis package for Windows, you can create graphs by dragging and dropping data from any object-linking and embedding-compliant application, such as spreadsheets and word-processing programs. The program lets you create a range of 2 and 3-D graphs, including surface mesh, linear and nonlinear curve fitting, automatic error bar, and color filled contour. Axum 4.1 also melds seamlessly with Mathcad 6.0 technical calculation software. The program costs $349.95. MathSoft Inc, Cambridge, MA. (617) 577-1017.

PC/104 modules target embedded control.

Conforming to PC/104 standards, the PC4 series of data-acquisition and industrial process-control modules provides a choice of ADCs; DACs; digital I/O; dual-drive flash, EPROM, and SRAM disks; SVGA controller; and timer/counters for embedded applications. One board, the PC4-1010 ADC, offers 16 single-ended or eight differential channels at 12-bit resolution, along with two channels of analog output, eight channels of digital input, and eight channels of digital output. The modules also include software drivers for Basic, C, Pascal, and Windows. Prices start at $595. CyberResearch Inc, New Haven, CT. (203) 483-8815.

Data-acquisition software adds block-diagram functions.

V3.0 of the Education Version of Visual Designer, a Windows based application generator for PC-based data acquisition and control, adds >20 function blocks to let you develop custom applications by drawing a block diagram. New functions include a runtime debugger, select case and do while blocks to implement conditionals and looping structures, and a SubGram block that allows other blocks to nest within it. The Education Version of Visual Designer (PCI-20908S-1) costs $49 for students and faculty. Intelligent Instrumentation Inc, Tucson, AZ. (520) 573-0887.

Portable spectrum analyzers target wireless applications.

Weighing <23 lbs each, the MS2651A and MS2661A portable spectrum analyzers operate over a frequency range of 9 kHz to 3 GHz for testing digital mobile radio communications systems. The instruments offer a span accuracy of 2.5% with 501 sampling points, and an autocalibration function provides an overall level accuracy of ±1.1 dB. Options include a high speed time domain sweep function and frequency counter capabilities with 1-Hz resolution. The MS2651A costs $11,550; the MS2661A, $14,150. Anritsu Wiltron, Morgan Hill, CA. (408) 776-8325.

Position transducer measures stroke to 60 in.

The PTX101 position transducer is <2-in. high when retracted. It measures strokes as long as 60 in., providing a voltage-feedback signal that is proportional to the linear movement of the transducer's traveling stainless-steel extension cable. The device's potentiometric output has virtually infinite resolution, with linearity varying from 0.25% for short ranges of 2 to 5 in. to 0.1% for full-stroke ranges of 20 to 60 in. The sensor's compact housing fits into tight areas, and the measuring cable is routed via conduit or pulleys. The PTX101 costs $50 to $100 (OEM). Celesco Transducer Products Inc, Canoga Park, CA. (818) 884-6860.

Source and digitizer modules extend capabilities of VXI systems.

Two modules for mechanical and acoustical measurement join the vendor's VXI hardware and software platform. The HP E1433A is an eight channel digitizer that has a 196k-sam- ples/sec sampling rate and an 88-kHz bandwidth. The second module, the HP E1434A, is a four channel arbitrary source that provides multichannel stimulus for modal analysis, vibration control, road simulation, and acoustic characterization. Respective base prices for the HP E1433A and HP E1434A are $11,700 and $7500. Hewlett-Packard Co, Santa Clara, CA. (800) 452-4844, ext 1491.

Software analyzes ARINC 629 data bus transmissions.

Compatible with all of the vendor's Aeronautical Radio Inc (ARINC) 629 cards, the DD-62991S0-300 Windows-based data bus analysis program lets you connect to the ARINC 629 bus and communicate with other systems on the bus and simultaneously simulate data transmission from multiple aircraft line-replaceable units. You can use the data-bus analyzer to define and transmit static and dynamic data and to inject as many as 629 bus errors. You can view filtered receive data in real time on a PC monitor or log it to a disk file in the order that it was received. The software costs $3000. ILC Data Device Corp, Bohemia, NY. (516) 567-5600.

Digital-communication test sets expand test functions.

With Option B8, the CMD57 test system for Global System for Mobile, digital-communications systems 1800, and personal communications systems (PCS) 1900 base stations lets you run in-service tests without disconnecting the base-station transceiver from the network. An option for the CMD80, a complete code-division/multiple access tester for digital cellular and PCS-mobile telephone equipment, issues Rate Set 2 PCS data rates (equivalent to a 13-kbps vocoder rate), which tests mobile phones to their full rated parameters. Prices for the CMD80 start at $39,995. Option B8 for the CMD57 costs $4500, and system prices start at $36,080. Tektronix Inc, Beaverton, OR. (800) 426-2200.

Data-acquisition software works with Visual Basic, Windows.

An en-hanced version of Visual Test Extensions (VTX) software lets you build test-and-measurement applications under Windows and Visual Basic. V1.1 adds a counter/ timer controller that counts, measures frequency, and generates pulses, and a text controller displays a grid or single value by simply wiring the control into the application. VTX V1.1 comprises the DAS base module, an analysis module, and a graph module, which cost $299, $169, and $169, respectively. Prices for upgrades begin at $99. Keithley Metrabyte, Taunton, MA. (508) 880-3000

Pressure transducer's output accurate to 0.1%.

The SP200 family of isolated diaphragm pressure transducers measures pressure changes in corrosive fluids over a range of environmental conditions, achieving 2.5% better accuracy than do conventional diaphragm type transducers. You can choose from ranges of 0 to 50, 100, 150, 200, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 5000, and 10,000 psig with accuracies of ±0.2% and ±0.1% over the sensor's full scale of measurement. The transducers withstand 500V ac or dc without any sustained effects. Prices start at $150 (500). Patriot Sensors & Controls Corp, Simi Valley, CA. (805) 581-3985.

Test board permits FPGA prototyping with PC.

The APS-X84 test board connects to a PC and lets you develop circuit prototypes based on Xilinx and AT&T FPGAs in 84-pin PLCCs. You program from PROMs or from the PC using bit files. Onboard I/O connectors accept ribbon cables or daughterboards. The APS-X84, including downloading software, costs $225. Associate Professional Systems, Abingdon, MD. (410) 515-3883.