Quebec's EXFO develops industry-first carrier Ethernet test products

EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc., Quebec, has developed test enhancements for its FTB-8510B/G and IQS-8510B/G Packet Blazer Gigabit Ethernet (GigE) and 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 GigE) test modules.

These now support Provider Backbone Bridge - Traffic Engineering (PBB-TE) and Internet Protocol, Multi-Protocol Label Switching (IP/MPLS) functionalities in a single module, allowing network service providers (NSPs) and network equipment manufacturers (NEMs) to fully validate carrier Ethernet services and network equipment.

"Our Packet Blazer test modules continue to evolve with market needs through the industry’s first field-test solution that supports PBB-TE and MPLS and strengthens the ability of NSPs to expand their Ethernet infrastructures in a cost-efficient, quality-assured manner," Etienne Gagnon, EXFO Vice-President Product Management and Marketing, says. "The successful deployment of Ethernet services depends on carrier-grade scalability, reliability and quality of service (QoS). PBB-TE and IP/MPLS are two choice technologies enabling NSPs to efficiently deploy Ethernet services with high levels of configurability and resiliency."

The new software also introduces a number of testing features, including support for advanced multi-stream traffic filtering techniques and 1X and 2X Fibre Channel testing. These new capabilities on the FTB-8510B/G, combined with full-line rate TCP throughput testing and bi-directional RFC 2544 measurements, offer NSPs a comprehensive and portable tool for deploying, maintaining and troubleshooting next-generation Ethernet services, EXFO says.

The modules, designed for portable field-test applications, are compatible with the FTB-200 Compact Platform and more advanced FTB-400 Universal Test System. The IQS-8510B/G modules, purpose-built for manufacturing and R&D test applications, are hosted inside the IQS-500 and IQS-600 platforms. All of these platforms support a wide range of additional test modules, including optical, transport and datacom, at various transmission rates reaching up to 43 Gbit/s, EXFO says.

The firm says it is the second-largest provider of portable test and measurement products in the global telecommunications industry and is positioning itself in next-generation network (NGN) testing and monitoring applications.

Its Telecom Division, which represents about 85% of the company's business, provides a full suite of test products and monitoring systems to network service providers, cable-TV operators, and network equipment and component manufacturers.


http://www.exfo.com/

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Multi-Channel Transceiver Offers 5-km Range

With a 500-mW (+27 dBm) RF output power and a receiver sensitivity of –118 dBm (for 12 dB SINAD), the BHX2 multi-channel narrowband transceiver sports a range of up to 5 km. Standard operating frequency is 458.5 to 459.1 MHz, but factory-tuned custom versions can cover any 5 MHz switching band between 420 and 480 MHz. The transceiver's 25-kHz channel spacing allows a total of 128 channels, configurable via an RS-232 interface. Using a supply voltage of 5.5 to 15 V, the BHX2 draws 350 mA while transmitting and 30 mA for receiving. The module offers a 5-kbit/s data rate and incorporates a 1200-baud half-duplex modem that is compatible with that used by the company's other devices. An automatic noise squelching function activates when there is no RF at detectable levels or when the non-coherent noise is high enough to block out weak signals. The module comes in an 85- by 39- by 13-mm package and conforms to both the EN 300 220-3 and EN 301 489-3 standards. RADIOMETRIX LTD., Harrow, UK. +44 (0) 208-909-9595.

Company - RADIOMETRIX LTD.
Product URL: Click here for more information

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L-Band VCO Features Low Second-Harmonic And Phase Noise

Operating in the L-band from 1560 to 1580 MHz, the CLV1570B-LF voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is well-suited for microwave radio applications that require superior second-harmonic suppression and very low phase noise. The device's tuning voltage range is 0.5 to 4.5 V dc. It has a typical phase noise of –108 dBc/Hz at a 10-kHz offset and a typical tuning sensitivity of 25 MHz/V. Second-harmonic suppression is typically –25 dBc. The VCO uses a 5-V dc supply, drawing 24 mA (typical) over a –40°C to 85°C range. The RoHS-compliant CLV1570B-LF comes in the company's industry standard MINI package with low shield measuring 0.50" by 0.50" by 0.13". It is available in tape-and-reel packaging for production requirements. The CLV1570B-LF is also well suited for automated surface-mount assembly and reflow soldering. Z-COMMUNICATIONS INC., San Diego, CA. (858) 621-2700.

Company - Z-COMMUNICATIONS INC.
Product URL: Click here for more information

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Allegro MicroSystems Europe A4935 automotive-grade 3-phase MOSFET pre-driver IC

The A4935 is targeted at the rapid growth in 3-phase brushless DC motor applications in the automotive and industrial sectors.

This third-generation device includes enhanced performance and operational features, and is ideal for systems that use sinusoidal control of the motor phase currents. This commutation method provides smooth operation, reducing audible noise and minimising torque ripple at the load.   

The new device integrates a regulating charge pump which provides full gate drive capability for battery voltages down to 7 V and reduced gate drive for battery voltages as low as 5.5 V.

Also included are performance enhancements of the current sense amplifier, as well as better fault diagnostics and reporting to decode and identify faults. Features such as top-off charge pump and bootstrap charge management make the A4935 much easier to manage in terms of ensuring an adequate bootstrap capacitor charge under varying PWM conditions.

Other features include cross-conduction protection with adjustable dead time and a low-current 'sleep' mode.

The A4935KJP-T is supplied in a small-footprint 48L eLQFP small profile thermally efficient exposed-pad package which is lead (Pb) free with 100% matte tin leadframe plating.

More information: www.allegromicro.com

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Tantalum capacitor achieves new CV ratings

High-capacitance cathode construction designed for harsh environments

The TWA wet electrolytic tantalum capacitor features a patented high-capacitance cathode construction that enables previously unavailable CV ratings of 2,200 µF at 25 V and 1,000 µF at 60 V — exceeding the values specified in the MIL-PRF-39006 shock and vibration standard. With a welded tantalum can and header assembly providing a hermetic seal in harsh environments, the capacitor operates in temperatures from –55° to 125°C.

The capacitor is available in a variety of case sizes and ratings, including a T1, A case offering up to 10 µF at 125 Vdc through a T4, E case offering up to 150 µF at 125 Vdc. Custom capacitance and voltages are also available. (From $35 ea/50 — available now.)

AVX, Myrtle Beach, SC
Dan Lane 843-946-0483
dlane@avxus.com
http://www.avx.com

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Rohde & Schwarz application firmware for Wimax MIMO measurements

Rohde & Schwarz has added a suite of application firmware for Wimax MIMO measurements in line with IEEE 802.16e-2005.

The FSQ-K94 option is designed to run on the FSQ and FSG signal¬ analysers. It also supports a combination of several analysers for testing up to 4x4 MIMO systems.

The application firmware can be used for testing semiconductor components such as Wimax MIMO chipsets, amplifiers and mixers, as well as complete products such as Wimax basestations or pico stations.

A large number of measurements required for testing MIMO systems can be performed by means of a single vector signal analyser. To test the interaction between the individual components, however, two instruments may sometimes be required.

In this case, the user can combine several R&S FSQ or R&S FSG analyzers to create a flexible test solution made up of standalone signal analyzers for testing 4x4 MIMO
systems, for example.

See http://www.press.rohde-schwarz.com

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Alpha Micro MatchPort b/g Pro for remote secure control

Alpha Micro Components has added the MatchPort b/g Pro to its line of networking products.

The MatchPort b/g Pro allows a range of machines to be managed and controlled remotely over a network with an added level of security.

The secure embedded WiFi networking module features SmartRoam that continuously tracks the radio signal strength of access points within range. Pre-authentication and caching enables smooth and automatic transition to an access point with a stronger signal, enhancing mobile reliability while minimising communication disruption for the user.

MatchPort b/g Pro handles the most computationally demanding or data intensive applications effortlessly with a 32-bit, 159 MIPS (Dhrystone 2.1) 166MHz processor.

With 8 MB of SDRAM and 8 MB flash, it provides enough memory capacity for OEM customisation, loading web pages, and data 'store and forward' applications.

It features two serial input ports with 230kbit/s data rate capability, seven control pins (CP/GPIO), and a wide operational temperature range of -40 to 70 deg C, with the option to operate up to 85 deg C with lower MTBF (mean time between failures).

See http://www.alphamicro.net

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