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Testforce 16 page Measurement Experts Guide
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Power and energy calibration: key test and
measurement issues
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 Introduction Traditionally, power and energy calibration has been accomplished by placing a reference meter and a device under test (DUT), in series or parallel, downstream of a common power supply. In a world of linear loads and sinusoidal waves, this methodology worked well. As modern electronic loads have introduced harmonic distortion into power grids,meters calibrated with pure sinusoids are no longer capable of accurately measuring power or energy. Today there is a better way to run this calibration. Using a new class of instrument, an electrical power standard, a signal may be directly sourced to the DUT. These test signals are: - Accurate
- Traceable
- Sinusoidal and distorted in specified simultaneous combinations
- Compliant with modern IEC 61050 standards
It's important to understand that the 6105A isn't an ac power source-there are plenty of those already-but a reference-quality instrument that uniquely combines highly flexible voltage and current sources. The 6105A makes it easy to add phenomena such as flicker and harmonic distortion to either or both of its output channels,providing sufficient flexibility to meet any international power-quality standards today or for the foreseeable future-including the ability to freely combine phenomena such as harmonics and interharmonics. This application note will: - Introduce you to the new 6105A Electrical Power Standard
- Introduce you to applications for this new instrument
- Show how the 6105A can be used to satisfy IEC 61050 and 62053 standards
learn more
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Terrestrial Solar Array Simulator Photovoltaic Simulation
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Introduction
Simulation of DC output from PV panels or strings. Use as input to a grid-tied inverter to measure efficiency and MPP T performance.
Why power supply is critical for PV simulations
Many solar inverters generate AC ripple on their DC input, which is connected to the photovoltaic array. For single phase inverters, the frequency of this ripple is twice the line frequency (120 Hz for US models). The simulator's power supplies must not supress this ripple as a function of their regulation loop. An increasing number of inverters (and virtually all micro-inverters) accurately measure amplitude and phase of the ripple voltage and current to quickly track the MPP of the array. This approach allows tracking the MPP at a much higher speed when compared to conventional dithering techniques (also called perturbate-and-observe). Faster tracking of the MPP results in a much higher overall efficiency in cloudy conditions, where the irradiance is constantly changing. It is likely that all solar inverters will use this approach in the near future, since end users are very sensitive to the overall efficiency of their solar energy installations.
To satisfy this requirement, the PV simulator must be capable of reproducing the voltage / current behavior of a solar array at the ripple frequency. Most standard switching power supplies employ very large output capacitors and inductors in their output circuits and are unable to deliver the required performance - regardless of the response speed of the I/V curve controller.
Elgar's line of PV simulators are based on high speed versions of our standard products, where output capacitors and other speed-limiting components have been adjusted. This results in a speed improvement of 10 times or better. Proprietary features built into the PV controller hardware and firmware, combined with our high speed power supplies, deliver the required performance. This technology was extensively tested on micro-inverters and is ready to test the next generation of inverters.
Key benefits are
- Simulate dynamic irradiance and temperature ranging from a clear day to cloud cover conditions
- Ramp the voltage, temperature or irradiance level over a programmed time interval
- Readback of voltage, current, irradiance level and temperature setting
- Tests for inverter Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT)
- Provides programmable I-V curves for PV Inverter testing
- Simulates different types of solar cell material
- Multi-Channel, Up to 1MW
learn more
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Characterizing High Power High Voltage
Devices
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Introduction
Whether you work in R&D, production, or QA/FA, only one instrument delivers the power, precision, and speed you need to test the newest high power devices and materials. The all NEW Model 2657A high voltage source-measure instrument:
- Sources or sinks up to 3000V @ 20mA or 1500V @ 120mA for capturing important parametric data that other equipment can't
- Provides 1fA (femtoamp) current measurement resolution for measuring the low-leakage requirements of next-generation devices
- eliminate the hassle of integrating power supplies and instruments. The Model 2657A combines a precision power supply, current source, DMM, arbitrary waveform generator, V or I pulse generator, electronic 18-bit load, and trigger controller.
learn more
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Using a Bipolar power supply for Solar Panel testing
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NEW SERIES BOP 1KW IMPROVEMENTS
Kepco is constantly working to provide you with power supplies that will perform to your requirements. The following improvements have greatly enhanced the high power BOP 1KW models:
Voltage or Current update rate over GPIB is increased to 400 updates per second (one update every 2.5 ms) from 25 updates per second (one every 40 msec) previously. Sending a change in output voltage followed by a meas:volt? or meas:curr? command will return valid results in less than 50 milliseconds. Load changes will be reflected in measurement in less than 35 milliseconds, for both front panel display and remote readback. Previous revisions of the BOP required 100 to 300 msec to return results. List (waveform) has been enhanced with powerful synchronization features:
- BOP can be synchronized by an external device.
- The BOP can synchronize an external device.
- List programming has a repeat-command functionality.
- List download speed has been improved by reducing time to initialize the list to between 100 and 300 milliseconds (maximum).
- Perform a measurement within a list.
- Digital command added for disabling the standby-trigger input or to allocate it to a full enable-disable input, with an active level choice.
- For multi-unit operation (series or parallel), should mains power cycle off to one or more units, the units return to their configured state without user intervention when mains power is restored.
- For the waveform feature, the waveform may now be stopped with a choice of stopped value: the previous standby value, the final value of the last completed waveform or the instantaneous value when the waveform is stopped.
USING BOP 1KW FOR SOLAR DEVICE TESTING
The Kepco BOP 1KW provides a one-step solution for test and characterization of solar cells and solar panels. A free LabView™ GUI allows rapid characterization of the solar device using only the BOP 1KW, eliminating the need for separate DVMs to measure voltage and current. The subvi is designed for both I-V Trace and Dark I-V testing, and can be plugged in or easily adapted to existing LabView test applications, even those previously using two DVMs. This solution relies on an incremental improvement in the proven BOP 1KW to offer lower cost, greater throughput and increased ROI when testing solar devices.
Download the app note
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Demo & Inventory Cleanup - 60% OFF MSRP
Testforce Promotion
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Really tight budget...
if you're facing a really tight budget constraint and not sure what to do, why not borrow one of our demos! Simply contact your local Testforce office and ask to speak to one of our Technical Account Managers.
Tight but not unreasonable budget...Take advantage of our demo and inventory cleanup. Save up to 60% off MSRP. Contact us for details!
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| Tektronix Scope Tour 2012 | 
Canadian Dates & Locations
Fast-track registration in 30 secs
Tuesday,
May 22, 2012 Quebec City | Jitter Basics: Techniques for Fast Characterization of Signal Timing Learn More
Register for this Event » | Thursday,
May 24, 2012 Montreal, QC | Fundamentals of Mixed Domain Analysis:
Testing Your Wireless Design | Tuesday,
May 29, 2012 Ottawa, ON |
Jitter Basics: Techniques for Fast Characterization of Signal Timing
Learn More
Register for this Event »
| Thursday,
May 31, 2012 Waterloo, ON | Debugging Your Digital Design: Fast and Efficiently
Learn More
| Thursday,
May 31, 2012 Waterloo, ON | Fundamentals of Mixed Domain Analysis:
Testing Your Wireless Design | Tuesday,
June 5, 2012 Edmonton, AB | Debugging Your Digital Design: Fast and Efficiently
Learn More
| Tuesday,
June 5, 2012 Edmonton, AB | Fundamentals of Mixed Domain Analysis:
Testing Your Wireless Design | Thursday,
June 7, 2012 Calgary, AB | Debugging Your Digital Design: Fast and Efficiently Learn More
| Thursday,
June 7, 2012 Calgary, AB | Fundamentals of Mixed Domain Analysis:
Testing Your Wireless Design | Tuesday,
June 12, 2012 Vancouver, BC | Fundamentals of Mixed Domain Analysis:
Testing Your Wireless Design |
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How will GNSS modernization impact your business? -Seminar
|  Issues dealing with GNSS Simulation
FREE SEMINAR 8:30 am -12:00 pm Toronto Tuesday May 22, 2012 Ottawa Wednesday May 23, 2012 Montreal Thursday May 24, 2012 Modernization of the current GPS constellation is a program aimed at ensuring the continued success of GPS while more than doubling the number of signals available over the next few years. There are four GNSS systems (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS and Compass) and four Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) which will be available by the middle of this decade. There are already over 60 GNSS and SBAS satellites in operation (including 32 from GPS) and more than 130 are planned. Markets affected by this include  - Telecom & Wireless
- Transportation
- Civil Aviation
- Military & Defense
- Chipset & Technology
The core requirement of any GNSS receiver test, whether for development, integration or production purposes, is for a controlled, repeatable signal. For many tests, the signal control includes flexibility over test case, or scenario conditions, that enable performance testing at nominal and extreme or error-state conditions. This is only possible by simulation. To register for this FREE Seminar, please click here or visit the Testforce website at www.testforce.com |
| 2012 Power Reference Kit for Engineers | 
Introduction
Power supplies are driving to a level of efficiency never seen before, requiring design engineers to perform numerous specialized power measurements that are time-consuming and complex. Tektronix is here to lessen the load, with the Reference Kit on power supply measurement tips and techniques. The Power Reference Kit provides valuable resources for any design engineer performing power measurements:
- Power Analysis Reference Poster: easy-to-print, 11x17 poster provides power measurement tips and techniques to post in your lab or workspace.
- Power Supply Measurement and Analysis Primer: 24-page primer covers switch-mode power supply test fundamentals including output ripple, switching loss, magnetic loss, power line measurements and more.
- Power Webinar: 1-hour on-demand webinar on characterizing a switch-mode power supply, how to avoid common sources of measurement errors, and choosing the right test solution.
- Probe Selection Guide: 16-page guide to make selecting the right probe easier, with helpful tips and detailed specifications on over 100 probes.
A critical factor in simplifying power measurements is having the right tools. The new TMDP and THDP high voltage, differential probes offer higher bandwidth and superior probe loading. These probes are capable of capturing transients with fast edge rates typical in power conversion switching devices.
Download your complimentary Power Reference Kit today and learn more about Tektronix' power measurement and analysis solutions - including the Custom Power Bundle promotion featuring a 40% discount. See details at www.testforce.com/tek_promos
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4.2 GHz VNA for $3495 promo
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PLANAR R54 Vector Reflectometer
PLANAR R54 is a Vector Reflectometer designed for S 11 parameter measurement. It provides high accuracy measurements for magnitude and phase in frequencies between 85 MHz and 4.2 GHz. With a weight of only 8.8 oz, this device is portable so that you can conveniently take it into any testing environment. PLANAR R54 is the ultimate compact workhorse analyzer, providing a variety of analytical capabilities in the frequency and time domains. - Frequency range: 85 MHz to 4.2 GHz
- Measures magnitude and phase of reflection coefficient, cable loss, and DTF
- Measurement time per point: 200 µs
- Frequency setting resolution: 10 Hz
- Powered via USB interface
- Compact size: 117x39x19 mm, lightweight: 8.8 oz
Contact Testforce to set up an onsite demo or product evaluation. For further details on Copper Mountain products, please visit their website. learn more
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Choosing The Right SMU for You
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 For characterization of semiconductor materials and devices, Keithley offers the widest selection and highest performance SMU instruments and semiconductor characterization systems available.
To take advantage of this special promotion, contact your local Testforce office before May 31, 2012.
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| dbGuard Series RF Shielding Test Enclosure |   The Product... The Testforce dbGuard Series RF Shielding Test Enclosures allow you to conduct high quality RF level testing while maximizing your test equipment investment. These advanced RF shielding test enclosures provide the performance and durability you require. Whether in manufacturing, R&D, engineering, or service, the dbGuard's interchangeable test cartridges provide the versatility necessary for all departments and applications.
Offering an ergonomic single bar, easy latch system, the Testforce dbGuard features a spacious interior well suited for testing large objects or perhaps multiple devices at one time while internally mounted antennas allow for Tx/Rx testing.
The dbGuard is fitted with Testforce's IASG (Inverted Asymmetrical Squarewave Gasket) design enabling seamless and robust shielding to a superior isolation of up to 100 dB. The universal I/O panel is custom configurable with a wide range of options including filtered USB and high density RF connectors.
The Testforce dbGuard is precision machined from single solid block 6061 aluminum to obtain an RF tight environment that ensures the same compression every time. The interior is finished with an RF absorptive coating to minimize reflections.
With its high performance, features, flexibility, and reliable construction, the Testforce dbGuard Series is the RF test fixture of choice for every application.
The Benefits...
- The dbGuard comes in three standard sizes to satisfy most applications. Full dimensional customization is available.
- Interchangeable test cartridge design enables you to efficiently convert from one product to another in minutes reusing the same enclosure.
- Spacious interior allows you to test multiple devices on the same cartridge resulting in higher throughput and lower cost of test.
- Pneumatic or electromagnet options provide a fully automated solution.
- Single point design, manufacturing, and support services.
To get more info on the dbGuard, download the data sheet. download now
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