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Readers Select the
The selection process began by compiling a group of products representing ATE, Communications Test, Data Acquisition, EMC, ESD, Instrumentation, and Software. In part, the determinations were based on the number of responses that each product received during the year. While voting wasn’t conducted using sophisticated touch-screen computers, our voting process was very simple, and the results were just as immediate and accurate. A group of EE readers, selected at random, were e-mailed an invitation to vote. The invitation included a URL that linked the invitation to the ballot plus accompanying information on the selected products. In addition, the ballot was available to visitors to our website. And following are the results. For more information on these products, use the rsleads URL listed at the end of each product write-up.
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Engineering |
Recently,
we challenged our readers with a difficult task:
In
the ATE category, Keithley Instruments wins for the Model S600DC/RF
Automated Parametric Test System used to test communications and high-speed
digital devices at the wafer level. The system provides repeatable RF
measurements of two-port/four-terminal power parameters that correlate with
results from other RF parametric test systems. Capabilities include 1-kHz
frequency resolution, DC precision of 1 pA and 10 µV, and <0.3-dB
insertion loss. 
The
13-GHz 2394 Spectrum Analyzer from IFR Systems takes the award in
Communications Test. Designed for applications such as mobile handset
production testing, handset repair verification, and base-station
transmitter testing, the 2394 includes a large color LCD, a fast processor,
and a memory that stores up to 1,000 screen traces and 2,000 operational
states. The 50-W input accepts signals between +30 dBm and -110 dBm while
providing protection up to 50 VDC. 
IOtech
captured the honors in Data Acquisition with the WaveBook/512A™, a
portable DSP-based data acquisition system that achieves a 1-MHz sample rate
at 12-b resolution. Eight built-in channels can be expanded to 72 channels
with a variety of programmable signal-conditioning options. It handles
applications requiring high-speed sampling and advanced triggering including
multichannel, pulse, and digital-pattern triggering and supports external
clocking to synchronize transducer inputs from rotating parts. 
From
the entries vying for top honors in EMC, the clear choice is the Laplace
Instruments Model ESA-2000 series of EMC analyzers. The analyzers process
simultaneous measurements of the neutral and line currents to separate the
differential-mode and the common-mode conducted emissions components over a
range of 10 kHz to 1.1 GHz. Peak, quasipeak, and average detectors; an
optional preselector; 9-kHz and 120-kHz IF bandwidths; 0-dBµV sensitivity;
and a true 70-dB dynamic range are included. 
The
2002 standout product for ESD is the battery-powered Model ESD 3000
Simulator from HV Technologies. The hand-held simulator generates 32-kV
pulses. High operational flexibility results from having no base unit,
external power supply, or power supply tether cable to hinder positioning of
the hand-held unit. A full range of R-C discharge values is available. 
The
winner for the best Instrumentation product is the Tektronix TDS6604, a
silicon germanium, four-channel, real-time digital storage oscilloscope. It
has a 6-GHz bandwidth, a simultaneous 20-GHz sample rate on two channels,
and triggering features that support clock recovery at data rates up to 2.5
Gb/s and serial pattern trigger up to 1.25 Gbaud. The DSO incorporates the
Open Windows® platform providing access to industry-standard peripherals,
networking elements, and analysis tools. 
ATEasy
4.0, the latest version of the Geotest-Marvin Test Systems open-system
architecture test development software and test executive, is the victor in
the Software category. Features include an easy-to-follow framework to help
create reusable components modeled after real-world test systems. The
modular structure facilitates the debugging and validation process by
isolating the test programs in individual modules. A just-in-time compiler
gathers only the necessary code to be executed independently without running
an entire application. ATEasy 4.0 supports Component Object Model, DLL, and
DDE.