EADS North America Defense Test & Services Expands Product Portfolio With High-Density Racal Instruments™ VXI High Dynamic Range Instruments

EADS North America Defense Test & Services introduces a new line of high dynamic range instruments designed for legacy compatibility while adding state-of-the-art performance. These new high-density instruments were originally developed for the Agile Rapid Global Combat Support System (ARGCS) which is comprised of a core of standard and tailored VXIbus-based modular products. These new products include:

The Racal Instruments 6084-104-DMM features a 10-bit, 4 GS/s four input digitizer and a 7.5 digit DMM in a single VXI slot. The digitizer comes complete with an IVI-COM driver which implements the signal analysis capabilities provided in a broad spectrum of legacy scopes and digitizers. The digitizer has two unique input channels switched to four inputs in pairs. These inputs may be combined to sample at up to 4 GS/s on a single channel or up to 2 GS/s on two channels. The 10-bit resolution of the digitizer provides the dynamic range and accuracy required when one needs to replace the various 8-bit ranges of older units. The DMM, with it’s +/- 24 million count architecture, like the digitizer, has the dynamic range and accuracy needed to replace older units, including those with different ranges. The DMM features AC voltage measurements at frequencies up to 1 MHz as well as measurement of temperature, inductance and capacitance. It has built-in programmable AC and DC sources which may be used for device characterization.

The Racal Instruments 2367 System Resource combines two channels of system trigger timing generation up to 100 MHz with trigger distribution and system status monitoring. This System Resource can be fitted with up to two 100 MHz timing generators with sub-nanosecond edge placement. It provides RF distribution of these signals so that even a large test system can be synchronized. The 2367 also includes a system monitor which detects system-wide events and allows the system software to react.

The 3156B Dual Channel Arbitrary Waveform Generator employs both DDS and arbitrary sampling techniques. The Racal Instruments 3156B Generator duplicates all legacy CASS and RT-CASS trigger (18 modes) and modulation modes (sweep, AM, FM, FSK, and frequency hopping), and even the stroke video modes. State- of-the-art 16-bit DAC architecture means that the 3156B has more dynamic range compared to older 12-bit designs by a 14 dB margin.

The Racal Instruments 3164-2 (dual) and 3164-4 (quad) family of waveform generators package full-featured, independent 125 MS/s Arbitrary Waveform Generators (AWGs) into a single VXI slot. Each generator can drive both standard and arbitrary 14-bit waveforms from 10 mV to 16 Vpp into a 50 Ohm load. This enables these waveform generators to replace four full-size, high power generators in ¼ the volume. High performance features include sweep, AM, software calibration, built-in self-test, waveform sequences, ping-pong buffers and multi-channel synchronization that enable the 3164 family to solve the more demanding electronic test stimulus problems.

The Racal Instruments 3352 Rubidium Reference combines 50 parts per billion per month frequency stability with optional features such as a GPS receiver (for additional frequency stability), frequency and trigger distribution, and digital I/O. The reference can be connected to an external DC power source to keep the Rubidium stable even when the system powers down. The digital I/O and trigger distribution options are used to increase test system density and to reduce weight and cost.

The Racal Instrument 2461-Cm series of timer counters extend standard counter features to incorporate legacy military arming, triggering, and hysteresis modes. In addition, the module accommodates a 5 Watt programmable load instrument. The load provides a precision resistance from 1 Ohm to 100 kOhm and is the only solution available which provides 100% of the CASS protection circuitry. It also features in-system software calibration, high repeatability, and automatic over power, over temperature, over voltage, and over current shutdown.

“The exacting legacy military requirements of the ARGCS program inspired the creation of instruments with the dynamic range, accuracy, and functionality to replace yesteryear’s military system components with a core set in a small footprint,” stated Dr. Mark Minot, Vice President of the Instruments Business Unit. “In addition, the VXIbus form factor provided EADS North America Defense Test and Services with the space, power, cooling, and modularity needed to create a core set of analog instruments for the US joint services.”

EADS North America Defense Test and Services designs, manufactures, sells, and services electronic test and measurement equipment, systems, and software to leading high-technology customers throughout the world. The company offers an extensive range of products and services, from modular instruments to turnkey automatic test systems, which are ideal for use in a wide variety of applications, including commercial functional test and measurement, laser diode burn-in and production, microcomputer production, and jet engine test.

EADS North America Defense Test & Services is an industry leader in providing automatic test solutions and service excellence to military and civil aerospace automatic test markets. The company works with core customers to define test requirements and deliver support solutions by providing general purpose ATE products, designing and building unique ATE, enhancing and integrating software offerings, and establishing nationwide OEM and military test engineering services. Key market sectors which the company serves include Military, Aerospace, Marine, Medical, Telecommunications, Semiconductor, and Commercial Manufacturing.

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