Microwave Journal
www.microwavejournal.com/articles/20020-clean-up-your-test-bench-with-a-little-help-from-vaunixs-lab-bricks-at-ims-2013

Clean up your test bench with a little help from Vaunix’s Lab Bricks at IMS 2013

June 3, 2013

Vaunix Technology Corp., (www.vaunix.com), a manufacturer of USB controlled and powered test equipment, is pleased to announce they’ll be displaying their latest models of USB powered Lab Bricks at the International Microwave Symposium (IMS) in Seattle, WA June 4-6th in booth #2042.  

Controlled and powered through the USB interface of a computer, these signal generation, digital attenuation, and switching devices set a new standard for cost, size, and simplicity of microwave test equipment. Signal Generators through 20 GHz offer advanced features such as phase-continuous linear-frequency sweeping and optional pulse modulation. Eight new models to their LMS Series of Signal Generators have been added in the following bands: 70-450 MHz; 250-1500 MHz; 600-3200 MHz, and 1000-4000 MHz. Attenuators are easily programmable for fixed attenuation or swept attenuation ramps directly from the included GUI. LDA Digital Attenuators are now available with popular N-Type Connectors and with input power up to 2 W.

The new Lab Brick Solid State Switch product family features 10 W power handling capability and offers reliability and high isolation in both single pole double throw and single pole four throw configurations. And the Lab Brick Phase Shifter provides excellent phase accuracy while offering 1 degree phase resolution. 

GUI software can track and control several connected devices, simplifying multiple-signal test setups. Devices store settings in internal memory, allowing them to power up in a specific instrument state. Each comes with a USB flash drive containing the GUI software and digital version of the programming guide, along with a 3-ft. USB cable. Average measurement is approximately 5” x 3” x 1.5” and they weigh, on average, less than 1 lb. In non-USB applications, the Lab Bricks can operate with battery power or remote power supply.

For automatic-test-equipment (ATE) applications, a programming guide is available. They comply with international requirements for electromagnetic-compatibility (EMC) emissions and immunity for Class A ISM devices to ensure that they don't interfere with other ISM-band equipment. Lab Bricks are ROHS-compliant and can be used with any PC or laptop computer with USB 2.0 port (or powered USB hub) and Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or Windows 7 operating system. They’re ideal for engineering and production test benches as well as integration into high speed automatic-test-equipment (ATE) systems. They can also be used in development of low-cost fading simulators for Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) and Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) communication systems such as WiMAX, 3G and LTE. A portable, robust, 4 port Lab Brick hub is also available.

 Stop by the Vaunix booth #2042 at IMS, or visit www.vaunix.com for more details.