Tips, Tools and Applications for the Electronic Industry in Europe

Introducing A2B Bus Monitor

Posted on 2017/08/15 by George

Today’s automotive infotainment designers are facing a difficult challenge. They are being asked to do more with less. Consumers are demanding better quality audio and video, and better vehicular fuel efficiency.

Analog Devices heard the demand and is leading the charge in the solution through the introduction of the Automotive Audio Bus® (A2B) digital audio technology, which delivers high fidelity audio for automobiles while significantly reducing the weight of existing cable harnesses (by upwards of 75% in key applications) – resulting in improved vehicle fuel efficiency.

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Comparison Table for Siglent SDS1202X-E

Posted on 2017/08/14 by George

What differs the Siglent's SDS1202X-E from other competitive oscilloscopes?

SIGLENT’s new SDS1000X-E Series Super Phosphor Oscilloscope is available in 200 MHz only. It has a maximum sample rate of 1 GSa/s and a standard record length of 14 Mpts. For ease-of-use, the most commonly used functions can be accessed with its user friendly front panel design.

 

 

Download SDS1202X-E comparison table

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How to set up the Total Phase USB Power Delivery Analyzer

Posted on 2017/07/19 by George

Learn how the USB Power Delivery Analyzer connects in-line between two Type-C products, and passively captures all communication between them, on both the CC1 and CC2 signals.

Get your USB Power Delivery Analyzer here

 

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A Whole New Way to Introspect: Active Probe Solution for Emerging High-Speed Links

Posted on 2017/07/11 by George

Simple, Non-Proprietary Interface Enables Active Probing Using Any 50 Ohm Instrument

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Data Center 6.73 now available

Posted on 2017/06/26 by George

We are pleased to announce the latest release of Data Center Software v6.73. This release now supports PD 3.0 when used with the USB Power Delivery Analyzer. With extended support for the USB Power Delivery protocol, Data Center now includes enhanced decoding of PD messages including:

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Total Phase announces The LAB eShop as Premier Distributor

Posted on 2017/06/21 by George

For international customers, Total Phase relay on robust Distributor Network to provide sales support and fast order fulfillment. This level of support for international customers has recently improved with the introduction of the Premier Distributor Program.

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How to ease hardware integration with embedded software

Posted on 2017/06/13 by George

Embedded systems.  Often the hardware is designed by one group and then handed to the software team to design the other half of the project. This can lead to assumptions about hardware functionality that may result in a difficult debugging process.

In the article Minimizing risk: embedded software and today's medical devices, Stephen Olson describes a specific instance where this problem of disconnect between hardware and software has occurred and describes how it could have been prevented.  In this case, the connectivity of a USB port failed causing data loss. All functions of the embedded chip were activated, causing it to send intermittent signals through the bus that in turn caused the host computer to shut down the USB port.

In essence, embedded hardware was overdriven by software. The data was being collected from a patient who was being analyzed with a complex medical system. The system had to be reset requiring the patient to reschedule the appointment for another day. It’s not hard to see why this is a problem for the end user – it costs time and money, our most valuable resources.

But why did this happen? The software had been written with the assumption the USB controller would never fail. The process of collecting data was directly related to transmitting data. The system needed the ability to actively store data while tracking the test, even in the event of power loss or system shut down.  But due to the assumption the USB controller would never fail, this use case was considered during software design.

How would you fix such a problem should it occur? Rigorous testing through a variety of use cases would likely have identified this issue.  What happens when an issue is identified with device operation but the underlying cause in unknown?  This is when debug tools, such as protocol analyzers, can become useful.  In this case, a USB protocol analyzer, such as the Beagle USB 480 Power Protocol Analyzer would have provided great value.

We have worked with a medical device company facing a similar issue, only their problem was found during extensive lab testing. They were seeing total shut down of the USB bus during certain test sequences but were unable to determine the cause, thus preventing them from resolving their issue.  In the field, there is little room for medical device failure or unexpected shutdown so fixing this problem was of the utmost importance.

After learning about the issue, we introduced the Beagle USB 480 Power Protocol Analyzer  - Ultimate Edition.  This tool is designed specifically to track both USB data transfers as well as VBUS power events.  This allowed them to correlate the bus shut down, power loss, with the data communication occurring at that time – allowing them to identify what test condition was causing the failure.  Additionally, the Ultimate edition has Advanced State-Based Triggering that allowed them to set up conditions and run repeatedly through tests until the failure occur.  At that time, the trace would capture the most recent set of data for analysis. Through the use of the Beagle USB 480 Power analyzer, the issue was identified and resolved within weeks, allowing production to move forward.

Wondering if a protocol analyzer or other development tool could help solve your problem?

 

Measure VBUS in correlation to USB protocol

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Siglent SSA3032X Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments

Posted on 2017/06/06 by George

Review on Siglent's SSA3000X series spectrum analyzer and all the options. There is some RF information for beginners and usage experiments are also performed.

Firmware version 1.2.8.2.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

0:00 Intro
0:33 Unboxing and discussion of inputs
1:24 Screen
1:59 Build quality, fan noise, user interface
5:35 AM and FM demodulation
6:18 Average noise measurements
9:11 Phase noise
9:46 Spurious readings and possible shielding issue
12:25 Amplitude accuracy
12:40 Tracking generator evaluation and experiments
15:35 Advanced measurement kit option
16:13 EasySpectrum software and EMI measurement option
17:47 Introduction to measuring antenna performance
19:30 Reflection measurement software and hardware experiment
21:35 Reflection bridge hardware directivity discussion
22:36 Limitations of directivity experiment
24:18 Final judgement and conclusion

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Perfect time for a New Moon

Posted on 2017/05/30 by George

Did you know, on May 25, the Moon will be located on the same side of the Earth as the Sun? In this position it will not be visible in the night sky making it easier to observe faint objects such as galaxies and star clusters.

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Siglent SDS 1202X-E Unboxing and Review Teaser - Part 2

Posted on 2017/05/09 by George

The second part of Siglent SDS1202X-E unboxing and review. Enjoy watching!

SIGLENT’s new SDS1000X-E Series Super Phosphor Oscilloscope is available in 200 MHz only. It has a maximum sample rate of 1 GSa/s and a standard record length of 14 Mpts. For ease-of-use, the most commonly used functions can be accessed with its user friendly front panel design.

Siglent SDS1202X-E details

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