Best-in-Test 2014 finalists: Handheld/Portable Test

01/21/2014

Very soon we will get to know who has managed to win Best-in-Test Award annually held to announce innovative developments worthy to become the best in test and measuring world. Winners will be rewarded on January 29 in Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara, CA, USA.

Here are the winners in category Handheld/Portable Test.

FlexTester3 Handheld ODTR, AFL Global

AFL’s FLX380 FlexTester3 family of handheld OTDRs let network installation and maintenance technicians verify and troubleshoot both PON and point-to-point broadband optical networks. Each FlexTester3 includes a two- or three-wavelength OTDR with integrated optical light source, optical power meter, and visual fault locator. They measure insertion loss, optical return loss, splice loss, connector loss and reflectance, as well as locate excess loss and reflections due to dirty or damaged connectors, poor splices, fiber breaks or macrobends.

FlexTester3 OTDRs provide industry-leading dynamic range, enabling users to test point-to-point networks up to 160 km in length, and FTTH PONs with splitters up to 1:128. FlexTester3 OTDRs also provide best-in-class dead zones, enabling users to detect closely spaced events hidden in the longer dead zones of less capable OTDRs.

FLX380 OTDRs automatically detect and measure PON power levels on in-service PONs, prevent initiation of service-disrupting OTDR tests at 1310nm or 1550nm, while allowing non-disruptive OTDR tests to be completed using out-of-band 1625nm or 1650nm wavelengths. OTDR testing at 1310nm or 1550nm may be completed from the same OTDR port on out-of-service networks.

The FlexTester3’s power meter automatically synchronizes to wavelengths sent from a Wave ID source, eliminating setup errors and reducing insertion-loss test time up to 80%.

AFL Global

FieldFox Remote Control Capability, Agilent Technologies

FieldFox's remote control capability, Option 030, enables viewing and control of the instrument via the Remote Viewer iOS application. With a wireless LAN or cellular broadband data connection using an iOS device, the FieldFox analyzers can now be placed in areas where users don't want to stay long due to harsh or unsafe conditions. Additionally, if one technician or engineer has trouble making a measurement or determining the source of a problem, another can step in to remotely troubleshoot and solve the problem. Plus, professors in a classroom or teaching lab can easily demonstrate how to make microwave measurements with a FieldFox - right from an iPad or iPhone.

Once users launch the Remote Viewer, they can easily access FieldFox demo videos and technical literature such as user guides, application notes and datasheets. Access to this information also makes the app ideal for training and educational purposes.

FieldFox's iOS remote control capability (Option 030) and remote viewer iOS app make it possible for FieldFox analyzers to be operated right from an iPad or iPhone. When Option 030 is paired with the iOS remote viewer app found in the Apple Apps Store, users can quickly access FieldFox and make it easy to monitor, share, and control from a distance.

Agilent Technologies

Wire Integrity Tester (WIT), Astronics DME

Astronics DME’s Wire Integrity Tester (WIT) is a portable, self–contained test platform used for testing, fault detection, isolation and repair of metallic wiring. It can test and verify the integrity of wiring from field to factory. It features a simple, intuitive user interface and weighs less than 8 lbs. Features include:

• Spread Spectrum Time Domain Reflectometry (SSTDR)
• Low Energy High Voltage (LEHV)
• Uses a safe high voltage charge
• Pulse Arrested Static Discharge (PASD) – Optional
• Velocity of Propagation (VoP) calculation mode

The WIT can detect and locate hard and soft faults with a typical Distance to Fault (DTF) accuracy of 1-ft. over a 150-ft. wire path. The WIT works on both controlled and uncontrolled impedance wiring and will automatically calculate the DTF on aircraft, ground vehicles, boats/ships, or interior/exterior wiring/cabling.

Astronics DME

Versiv Cable Certification Testers, Fluke Networks

The Versiv family of cable certification testers help data communications installers achieve system acceptance for copper and fiber jobs. It's a powerful platform offering interchangeable modules for copper, fiber, and Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) testing, as well as new software innovations that speed test time and accuracy, and simplify testing setup, planning and reporting.

The testers includes a ProjX management system that helps ensure jobs are done correctly the first time and helps tracks progress from set-up to systems acceptance, making sure all tests are completed correctly for all media and test limits. Its Taptive user interface is the most advanced interface for a field tester. With Taptive, technicians and project managers can do more, faster with fewer keystrokes, swiping, pinch-to-zoom and easier access to data. The Taptiv interface simplifies set-up, eliminates testing errors, and speeds troubleshooting.

Versiv also includes LinkWare Management Software. With it, project managers can monitor workflow and consolidate test results. LinkWare pulls data together into a single report that is easy for customers to understand. LinkWare also provides automated statistical reports that turns test results into charts to reveal performance. The report summarizes your entire cabling and fiber infrastructure in one compact, graphical format, so it is easy to verify margins and anomalies.

Fluke Corporation

PicoScope 5000 Series Oscilloscopes, Pico Technology

The majority of oscilloscopes in the field today are made around the goal of filling the high speed demand. But, high-speed oscilloscopes often have too high of a noise floor to truly display a sensor's raw signal. The PicoScope 5000 Series has a different approach due to its new internal ADC design. For the first time in an oscilloscope, you can configure the instrument on the fly from 8-bit to 16-bit resolution. Thus, the engineer no longer has to make a choice of instrument between high speed and low noise.

The PicoScope 5000 series combine this with a 200MHz bandwidth, 1GS/s sampling rate, enormous memory buffers up to 512Msamples. The oscilloscopes also have onboard arbitrary waveform generators so you don’t have to pack another bench into your luggage. The units can be powered from your computer's USB ports so you can carry it to remote sites. The oscilloscope is also only 7.5x6.7x1.5 in. thick, so will slide right into your bag next to your laptop.

Pico Technology

EDN Network, www.edn.com