Test & Measurement

In the digital age of today, new technologies are continuously developed. But new applications are vulnerable to the increasing threat from cyber-attacks and interception – especially when being tested on a live satellite network. Data transferred over an unprotected link can be intercepted, which is increasingly exploited by hackers. The number of cyber-attacks doubled in 2017, which led the Online Trust Alliance (OTA) to name last year as “the worst year ever in data breaches and cyber-incidents around the world.”

Software options have been released for Anritsu’s Signal Analyser MS269xA series that provide support for measuring the RF Tx characteristics of fifth-generation (5G) mobile communications base stations and terminals. These options support signal analyses and measurement of RF characteristics by supporting 3GPP-compliant sub-6GHz uplink and downlink signals and specifying 1 Component Carrier (1CC) up to a bandwidth of 100MHz.

UK customers of IDEAL Networks have a new way to purchase a wide range of data cable, network and CCTV testers with the launch of a dedicated online shop. With the newly launched online store, Network Technicians, Systems Integrators and Cable Installers across the UK are now able to purchase testers and accessories directly from IDEAL Networks, as well as their preferred distributors. 

Element Materials Technology (Element) has made a significant investment at its European Radio and Telecommunications Testing Centre of Technical Excellence in Hull, UK to meet rising demand of radio testing for wireless products. Capacity at Element Hull is increased by one third with an additional radio frequency testing semi-anechoic chamber.

The RSA500 family of rugged, battery powered USB-based spectrum analysers from Tekronix has been extended with the addition of the RSA513A and RSA518A offering 13GHz and 18GHz frequency range respectively. Along with their higher frequency support, these instruments provide the ability to stream I & Q data for customers to perform analysis consistent with software-defined radio functionality.

Digitisation and the reliability of accurate measurement data are inherent to the constantly expanding demands of the energy distribution and production industries. And consumers are also demanding more accurate and traceable data to protect them from damage and costs as well as to continuously optimise their energy consumption. But what if systems or transformer stations are not yet linked to the digital world and time-critical data still has to be available?

Protocol decode, triggering and analysis support for the MIPI Alliance’s System Power Management Interface (SPMI) has been announced by Tektronix for its 5 and 6 Series MSO mixed signal oscilloscopes. The software option takes advantage of the oscilloscopes touch-based setup, 15.6in. HD display for showing multiple buses and low-noise power rail voltages.

The JTAG/Boundary Scan controller SCANFLEX II Cube from Goepel electronic now has an optional Wireless LAN interface. Previously, the controller had USB 3.0 or LAN interfaces as standard. With the new option, another control interface is now available. SCANFLEX II Cube is a modular JTAG/Boundary Scan controller.

NI and Spirent Communications have announced a collaboration to develop test systems for 5G New Radio (NR) devices. The collaboration will allow 5G chipset and device manufacturers to validate the performance of 5G NR smartphones and IoT devices in the lab without requiring access to expensive and complex 5G base stations (gNodeBs). 

What is said to be the industry’s first solution capable of conducting extensive characterisation of the differential noise figure of differential devices used in high-speed wireless communication systems has been introduced by Anritsu.