Introduction

Highlights of this issue include new product releases from STMicroelectronics, AWR, Aeroflex and Anritsu Company; design features on the philosophy of jitter and cancellation of sensor-wiring error with bias-current modulation; test and measurement-related design ideas; schedule of the Twentieth International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors and the Eurosensors XXIII conferences; and research studies on global smart metering.
 

23 July 2009

Single and two-axis MEMS gyroscopes
STMicroelectronics has introduced a family of single and multi-axis MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) gyroscopes. Underpinned by the company’s micromachining technology, which utilises the advanced mechanical properties of silicon by producing structures within the semiconductor chip to measure movement, the new gyroscopes deliver high performance and reliability for angular-motion detection in human-machine interface applications, personal and car navigation systems, and image stabilisation for digital still and video cameras.
STMicroelectronics


AWR Connected
AWR has introduced AWR Connected, which integrates the capabilities of Rohde & Schwarz WinIQSIM2 simulation software within AWR’s VSS (Visual System Simulator) system analysis software. The complete range of digitally-modulated signals generated by WinIQSIM2, along with those already present within VSS, ensure that the same real-world test signals can be used throughout the design cycle.
AWR


High-power and compact RF signal generators
Aeroflex has expanded its flexible PXI modular test platform with the addition of two 3020 series high-power and compact RF signal generators. The RF signal generators feature integrated dual-channel arbitrary waveform generators. They are suitable for R&D manufacturing and design verification of RF components and systems.
Aeroflex


Broadband vector network analyser
Anritsu Company has introduced the VectorStar Broadband ME7828A vector network analyser system that produces better dynamic range, measurement speed, and calibration and measurement stability over a frequency range of 70kHz to 110GHz. Anritsu Company
 

Test & Measurement World: The philosophy of jitter
When Altera began developing its 40-nm Stratix IV FPGA, the company’s engineers faced daunting challenges on many design and test fronts. Dr Mike Peng Li, Altera’s principal architect and distinguished engineer, explained that device-level jitter has to continue shrinking so that you can maintain a BER of 10–12 at the physical layer while also providing sufficient margin as the UI (unit interval) gets smaller.

Cancel sensor-wiring error with bias-current modulation
The approximately -2-mV/°C temperature coefficient of diode junctions is a popular means of temperature measurement, especially in cryogenic applications (Figure 1). Diode temperature sensors are compact, stable, robust, sensitive and inexpensive, and, unlike thermocouples, they require no reference junction.
 

Use alternative approaches to evaluate dc/dc synchronous buck converters
A number of methods exist for dc/dc-converter analysis. The one you choose depends on your proficiency as an engineer, the circuit requirements, and the availability of software tools. Before going into the analysis, however, you need to understand the make-up of these circuits, which are linear systems with feedback des.


Two instrumentation amps make accurate voltage-to-current source
Many designs require precise voltage-controlled current sources, especially in the presence of variable loads. Common approaches, which use a few op amps and a handful of passive components, have inherent errors due to non-ideal component characteristics, such as finite open-loop gain, common-mode rejection, bias current, and offset voltage.

 

Twentieth International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors, 5-9 October, 2009, Edinburgh, UK
This conference covers all topics related to fibre-optic, guided-wave and optical sensing devices, systems, theories and techniques for research and applications. The conference will include sessions on physical sensors, distributed sensors, interferometers and gyroscopes.


Eurosensors XXIII, 6 - 9 September 2009 at Lausanne, Switzerland
The Eurosensors series of conferences covers the entire field of sensors, actuators and microsystems. The conference provides an opportunity to bring together European scientists and engineers from the academia, national research institutes and companies to present and discuss the latest results in the general field of solid-state sensors, actuators, micro- and nanosystems.

 

Global Smart Metering
The metering industry is undergoing a transformation as it reaches for the vision of the smart grid. Open architectures, increased regulation, and evolving standards are challenging the status quo and resulting in new alliances. Energy directives and billions of dollars in smart grid funding are driving hundreds of smart metering initiatives worldwide.
 

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