The IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine December 2020 Issue
Measurements for Advanced Networking and Networking for Advanced Measurements
(Measurement Applications)
Editorial
Bruno Andò Dear Readers,
Here we are again talking about an amazing subject strongly related to the Instrumentation and
Measurement field. This issue of Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine is dedicated to
“Measurement and Networking,” a very intriguing topic in the current era of IOT and 5G.
(Sensor) Networks are well-suited for a wide panorama of applications, from telemedicine and
advanced assistive systems to smart city related contexts. Everything is strongly connected to the
“measurement” world, just think to those applications enabled by smart-sensor-networks and
much more.
Such tools are being part of our everyday life and could have a strong impact towards the
improvement of our quality of life. However, to boost the quality of services supported by such
infrastructures and their reliability, it is particularly important to perform a reliable assessment of
their performance by developing dedicated measurement strategies.
In just a few words, “Measurements for Networking and Networking for Measurements” is a
concept very well-developed in the past few years by the Guest Editor of this special issue, Prof.
Leopoldo Angrisani, and his research team.
I really want to thank Prof. Angrisani and all our highly respected authors for the excellent
contributions they have elaborated and offered to our readership.
Have a nice time reading,
Bruno
Guest Editorial
Leopoldo Angrisani
In the last decades, the role of the networks and communications has rapidly gained momentum
thanks to their primary role for worldwide progress and improvement of the quality of life. As a
matter of fact, networks and communications represent the fundamental pillars for the
development of a number of applications and services: from providing widespread availability of
broadband internet access to mobile and wireless communications, enabling applications in the
fields of telemedicine, remote monitoring and control, smart road, smart city, Vehicle to Vehicle
(V2V) and Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) communications, Personal Healthcare monitoring,
Internet of Things (IoT), and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), just to name a few.
In such a wide and complex scenario, the development and the advancement of measurement
methods able to effectively and accurately qualify these networks have become crucial to
guarantee the necessary quality and performance as well as the continuous improvement of
networks. On the other hand, extended and reliable networks are essential for obtaining
comprehensive information about the monitored phenomena, aimed at more effective monitoring
and managing processes, for applying early warnings and predictive maintenance policies in
several fields from industrial to civil and public infrastructures as well as for healthcare.
These are the foundations on which this special issue of Instrumentation & Measurement
Magazine has been based and proposed. The concepts of Measurements for Networking and
Networking for Measurements were first introduced by my research group several years ago. In
2011, to share this (then new) perspective with the Scientific Community, I also co-founded the
biennial IEEE International Symposium on Measurements and Networking, which has now
become a widely attended event. I was also one of the co-founders of the IMS Technical
Committee “TC-37 Measurements and Networking” (whose current chair is Domenico
Capriglione). The scope of the TC-37 is to promote the international cooperation between
researchers from the IMS and colleagues from other areas of the telecommunication and
information technologies.
For this special issue of Instrumentation & Measurement Magazine, eight high-quality articles
have been selected, addressing some of the aforementioned topics. In particular, the paper “On
the Measurement of Human Exposure to Cellular Networks,” by Giovanni Betta, Domenico
Capriglione et al., highlights some open issues in human exposure measurement procedures to
electromagnetic fields emitted by 2G, 3G and 4G cellular base stations. Wide experimental
campaigns performed in several countries show how a suitable refinement of the measurement
methods and procedures, as well as data post-processing and averaging techniques, have been
investigated in detail in the community of measurements and networking for improving the
reliability of the measurement results.
The paper “Embedded Split Ring Resonator Network for Health Monitoring in Concrete
Structures,” by Erika Pittella, Leopoldo Angrisani et al., investigates the possibility of using a
split ring resonator network, with a single feeding line, to monitor cracks in the concrete and
identify their location with a single measurement. Exploiting microstrip technology, a diffused
monitoring can be achieved together with the possibility to use a low-cost, light, and adaptable
sensor. The proposed solution is novel and very promising concerning competitor solutions.
In a similar application context, the paper “Structural Health Monitoring and Prognostic of
Industrial Plants and Civil Structures: A Sensor to Cloud Architecture,” by Federica Zonzini,
Cristiano Aguzzi et al., describes a practical realization and application of a suitable architecture
to be used for several kinds of applications in the context of structural health monitoring and
prognostics. Both topics are very up-to-date and important also in modern industry scenarios.
“A Cross-Layer Measurement Approach to Assess LoRa Wireless Technology in Presence of
Noise,” by Pasquale Arpaia, Francesco Bonavolontà et al., addresses the performance
assessment of IoT devices based on LoRa communication technology in both design and
maintenance stages of the product life cycle. To this aim, the authors proposed a cross-layer
approach to experimentally correlate the values that characterize major physical layer quantities
to those assumed by key higher layer parameters, thus providing useful information to fix
possible problems at the vulnerable physical layer.
The paper “Exploiting IoT-Oriented Technologies for Measurement Networks of Environmental
Radiation,” by Rosario Schiano Lo Moriello et al., shows the potentiality of IoT architectures for
environmental monitoring in critical applications. In particular, they propose a scalable and
flexible network infrastructure that allows adding new nodes of different chemical or physical
quantities using minimal hardware requirements and standard software interface.
The work titled “Earthquake Early Detection as an IEEE1451 Transducer Network Trigger for
Urban Infrastructure Monitoring and Protection,” by Marco Carratù et al., shows an interesting
application of the IEEE1451 standard which is adopted for realizing a sensor network devoted to
the monitoring and early detection of dangerous events as an earthquake. The example highlights
the potential of such a standard in critical applications.
The paper “Network Measurements for Web Tracking Analysis and Detection: A Tutorial,” by
Ismael Castell-Uroz, Josep Solé-Pareta, and Pere Barlet-Ros, presents a very useful tutorial on
the topic of web tracking, a recent controversial practice from the security and privacy
perspective. In this article, a deep review of the scientific literature on this specific topic, as well
as the open issues and challenges the measurement community has to address to detect web
tracking more efficiently are discussed. Besides, a new large-scale web measurement framework
specifically designed to address these open issues and facilitate the detection of web tracking is
also proposed.
Finally, the paper “IEEE 802.15.22.3 Spectrum Characterization and Occupancy Sensing
Application Testbed,” by Gianni Cerro et al., describes the activity of a subgroup of the IEEE
802.15.22.3 Task Group for the design and the application of a testbed implementing the
standard in a laboratory-controlled environment. In particular, the Task Group works on
standardizing a Spectrum Characterization and Occupancy Sensing (SCOS) system, capable of
addressing a wide range of sensing tasks, and that can be easily and flexibly deployed across a
variety of hardware options.
I am confident that this special issue will offer the readers a comprehensive overview of the
potential and challenges of Measurements for Networking and Networking for Measurements. I
also hope that this special issue will serve as an inspiration for researchers (from both Academia
and Industry) to tackle existing and new societal problems, while using the available
measurement technologies and knowledge.
Article Summaries
On the Measurement of Human Exposure to Cellular Networks
(Summary)
Giovanni Betta, Domenico Capriglione, Gianni Cerro, Gianfranco Miele, Marzia Salone D’Amata, Darko Šuka, Predrag Pejovic´, and Mirjana Simic´-Pejovic
This paper highlights some open issues in human exposure measurement procedures to
electromagnetic fields emitted by 2G, 3G and 4G cellular base stations. Wide experimental
campaigns performed in several countries show how a suitable refinement of the measurement
methods and procedures, as well as data post-processing and averaging techniques, have been
investigated in detail in the community of measurements and networking for improving the
reliability of the measurement results. This summary was written by the Guest Editor.
Embedded Split Ring Resonator Network for Health Monitoring in Concrete Structures
(Summary)
Erika Pittella, Leopoldo Angrisani, Andrea Cataldo, Emanuele Piuzzi, and Francesco Fabbrocino
This article investigates the possibility of using a split ring resonator network, with a single
feeding line, to monitor cracks in the concrete and identify their location with a single
measurement. Exploiting microstrip technology, a diffused monitoring can be achieved together
with the possibility to use a low-cost, light, and adaptable sensor. The proposed solution is novel
and very promising concerning competitor solutions. This summary was written by the Guest Editor.
Structural Health Monitoring and Prognostic of Industrial Plants and
Civil Structures: A Sensor to Cloud Architecture (Summary)
Federica Zonzini, Cristiano Aguzzi, Lorenzo Gigli, Luca Sciullo, Nicola Testoni, Luca De Marchi, Marco Di Felice, Tullio Salmon Cinotti, Canio Mennuti, and Alessandro Marzani
The authors of this paper describe a practical realization and application of a suitable architecture
to be used for several kinds of applications in the context of structural health monitoring and
prognostics. Both topics are very up-to-date and important also in modern industry scenarios.
This summary was written by the Guest Editor.
A Cross-Layer Measurement Approach to Asses LoRa Wireless Technology in Presence of Noise
(Summary)
Pasquale Arpaia, Francesco Bonavolontà, Dominique Dallet, and Annarita Tedesco
This article addresses the performance assessment of IoT devices based on LoRa communication
technology in both design and maintenance stages of the product life cycle. To this aim, the
authors proposed a cross-layer approach to experimentally correlate the values that characterize
major physical layer quantities to those assumed by key higher layer parameters, thus providing
useful information to fix possible problems at the vulnerable physical layer.
This summary was written by the Guest Editor.
Exploiting IoT-Oriented Technologies for Measurement Networks of
Environmental Radiation (Summary)
Rosario Schiano Lo Moriello, Alessandro Tocchi, Annalisa Liccardo,
Francesco Bonavolontà, and Giorgio de Alteriis This paper shows the potentiality of IoT architectures for environmental monitoring in critical
applications. In particular, they propose a scalable and flexible network infrastructure that allows
adding new nodes of different chemical or physical quantities using minimal hardware
requirements and standard software interface. This summary was written by the Guest Editor.
Earthquake Early Detection as a IEEE1451 Transducer Network Trigger for Urban Infrastructure Monitoring and Protection
(Summary)
Marco Carratù, António Espírito-Santo, Gustavo Monte, and Vincenzo Paciello This article shows an interesting application of the IEEE1451 standard which is adopted for
realizing a sensor network devoted to the monitoring and early detection of dangerous events as
an earthquake. The example highlights the potential of such a standard in critical applications.
This summary was written by the Guest Editor.
Network Measurements for Web Tracking Analysis and Detection:
A Tutorial (Summary)
Ismael Castell-Uroz, Josep Solé-Pareta, and Pere Barlet-Ros
This research group presents a very useful tutorial on the topic of web tracking, a recent
controversial practice from the security and privacy perspective. In this article, a deep review of
the scientific literature on this specific topic, as well as the open issues and challenges the
measurement community has to address to detect web tracking more efficiently are discussed.
Besides, a new large-scale web measurement framework specifically designed to address these
open issues and facilitate the detection of web tracking is also proposed.
This summary was written by the Guest Editor.
IEEE 802.15.22.3 Spectrum Characterization and Occupancy Sensing Application Testbed
(Summary)
Gianni Cerro, Gianfranco Miele, Roger Hislop, Oliver Holland, and Apurva Mody
This paper describes the activity of a subgroup of the IEEE 802.15.22.3 Task Group for the
design and the application of a testbed implementing the standard in a laboratory-controlled
environment. In particular, the Task Group works on standardizing a Spectrum Characterization
and Occupancy Sensing system, capable of addressing a wide range of sensing tasks, and that
can be easily and flexibly deployed across a variety of hardware options.
This summary was written by the Guest Editor.
Columns
Life After Graduation (Summary)
The Union of Networks and Measurements
Vincenzo Marletta
“I don't know why but I particularly like the title of this issue of the Magazine: Measurements for
Advanced Networking & Networks for Advanced Measurements. I find this subject and this
apparent dualism very interesting. I speak of apparent dualism because, although it is correct to
separate the two topics, measurements for networking and networks for measurements (advanced
or not), and treat them separately, actually they go hand in hand.”
This is a small glimpse of text from the column.
Departments
New Products
Robert Goldberg
Please send all “New Products” information to: Robert M. Goldberg 1360 Clifton Ave.
PMB 336 Clifton, NJ 07012 USA
E-mail: [email protected]
Real-Time Dashboards with Integrated Support for Keithley DAQ6510 and DMM6500
Native integration is now available between the Keithley DAQ6510 and DMM6500 instruments
with Initial State, an IoT dashboard for data streaming and visualization for remote data access.
Keithley and Initial State, both Tektronix companies, collaborated to integrate Initial State's data
streaming and visualization platform with the Keithley graphical DAQ6510 and DMM6500. This
integration gives a DAQ6510 / DMM6500 remote monitoring capability, real-time interactive
dashboards, triggering and the ability to share data—all without the need for a PC or external
software.
Designed for monitoring, test and data streaming applications, this software-as-a-service
platform can securely turn data into real-time, customizable IoT dashboards that are highly
interactive. This speed, remote access, and usability makes it possible to instantly interpret data
without the need to utilize third party software. Now users can monitor and analyze an
experiment remotely in any browser—including on mobile devices.
To meet testing needs, the dashboard can automate triggers and alerts based on incoming data, so
the DAQ can proactively send an email or text message based on rules established by the user.
The dashboard can also routinely share large data sets by embedding live data within a website.
Data can be downloaded and stored for personal use and documentation or shared securely with
colleagues or partners.
The dashboard is compatible with the DMM6500 6½-Digit Graphical Touchscreen Digital
Multimeter, a touchscreen bench/production test DMM with extensive measurement capability,
including transient capture, data visualizations, and analysis.
For more information, please visit https://www.initialstate.com/keithley/.
New Family of Avionics Interfaces for SuperSpeed USB 3.1
Astronics Corporation is launching a new family of pocket-sized USB interface devices using the
SuperSpeed USB 3.1 standard to easily connect computers to avionics data buses.
The UA2000 family of portable USB interfaces enable computers to communicate with,
simulate, test, and monitor avionics equipment and systems. They provide a fast and reliable
peripheral connection to a variety of avionics data buses including: MIL-STD-1553, ARINC
429, ARINC 708, ARINC 717, and Discrete I/O.
As a functional replacement for Ballard’s first generation of USB Adapter products, The
UA2000 family can be readily interchanged with customer’s existing units and current software
with no application modification typically required.
The UA2000 includes Ballard’s universal BTIDriver™ API, which enables customers to quickly
develop their own software applications. The company’s CoPilot® software, available as an
option, provides easy-to-use, interactive tools for data bus test, analysis, and simulation without
the need to write software.
Key features of the UA2000 include:
• Proven Performance—The UA2000 is the result of over 10 years of highly-successful
avionics interfacing experience using USB.
• Universal Compatibility—The all-new USB 3.1 design and low-power requirements
mean the UA2000 is compatible with USB 2, USB 3, USB 4, and Thunderbolt™ ports.
• The product ships with both USB-C and USB-A cables for easy connection to current and
future computer ports.
• Powerful Protocol Engine—The UA2000 hardware performs all protocol processing,
freeing your software to focus on high-level application-specific processing.
• Small, Rugged, and Portable—The UA2000 easily fits in the palm of the hand and is
equally at home in the lab or in the field. Flight Test Orange units are available for on-aircraft
use.
• Easy to Use—Plug and play and hot swap features make the UA2000 easy to install and
move between computers. The unit is fully powered by the USB port.
• Peace of Mind—The UA2000 family is FCC, CE, and RoHS compliant, comes with a 3-
year warranty, and is backed with industry-leading technical support.
For more information on Astronics and its solutions, visit http://www.Astronics.com.
Power Grid Simulators
Chroma 61800 3U high series of regenerative grid simulators include three models with power
ratings of 9 kVA, 12 kVA, and 15 kVA and include single phase and 3-phase operation. With
output voltage ranges up to 350 VLN and 606 VLL, each model can achieve 700 VLN by a
single phase 3-wire setup. Users can increase output power by configuring up to three units in
parallel.
Chroma 61809/61812/61815 models are regenerative, providing a complete energy-saving
solution. The power generated by the DUT during the test can be easily fed back to the grid,
rather than dissipated as heat, which protects the environment and lowers the cost of operation.
With this capability, the 61809/61812/61815 models can be applied to applications in green
energy products, such as PV inverters, energy storage systems (ESS), power conditioning
systems (PCS), micro grids, power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL), electric vehicle power supply
equipment (EVSE), on-board charger (OBC) and bidirectional on-board charger (BOBC), etc.
For regulatory testing, 61809/61812/61815 models can be applied to IEC 61000-3-2/-3- 3/-3-11/-
3-12 (international regulations for AC voltage testing), IEEE 1547/IEC 62116 (international
regulations related to green power generation), electric vehicle to grid (V2G) testing, electric
vehicle to load (V2L) testing, electric vehicle to home (V2H) testing, energy storage system
(ESS) testing.
The 61809/61812/61815 models are also able to provide precision measurements such as RMS
voltage, RMS current, true power, power factor, current crest factor and many others. By
applying advanced DSP technology, they can easily simulate power line disturbance (PLD) using
LIST, PULSE and STEP modes. Additional features such as the waveform synthesis function
allows users to program various distorted harmonic waveforms required by some regulatory
standards.
With the intuitive 5″ LCD touch screen interface, users can quickly get familiar with the
instrument’s operation.
Find more information at http://www.chromausa.com.
New Series of Data Loggers
CAS Dataloggers has announced the new Simple Logger® series of data loggers
from AEMC. The SL family includes ten different small, one channel recording devices
powered by two AA alkaline batteries. Models are available for recording AC voltage, DC
voltage, DC current, temperature or digital pulses and events. They are extremely easy to
configure with just a few parameters to setup—scaling, measurement units and recording length
can be configured through the free, downloadable software.
They can be connected to a Windows PC using the Micro-B USB cable included with the logger
to display real-time graphs, download and analyze data, print reports and export data.
The main advantage of the logger is its ability to begin recording with only the need to set a few
parameters. Then, just a simple button push is all you need. The front panel LED alerts the
operator of the logger’s status.
Key Features:
• Quick two wire input connection
• Simple one button operation
• User configurable scaling, units of measure and recording length
• Powered by 2 standard replaceable AA batteries
• Storage for up to four million measurements
• Software for real-time trend graph display, data download, analysis and report generation
• Micro-B USB cable included
The SL data loggers are great for applications that require a basic, easy to use device
such as:
• Basic DC voltage measurement for circuit design troubleshooting, power supply
profiling, sensor monitoring
• 4 to 20 mA DC process current monitoring
• AC voltage measurement to find sags and surges or when combined with a current
• transducer to track energy usage
• Simple, single point temperature monitoring using thermocouples or RTD
• Pulse counting for flow meters or power/energy meters
• Event monitoring
For more information on the new AEMC Simple Logger series visit
http://www.DataLoggerInc.com.
Multifunction Instrument Delivers Exceptional Measurement and Control Functionality
Marvin Test Solutions, Inc. has announced the release of the new GX3722 Series Multifunction
Analog and Digital I/O Instrument.
The GX3722 delivers exceptional flexibility and utility, with a unique mix of measurement and
control functionality, in a single high-performance 3U PXI hybrid slot compatible instrument.
Analog measurement capabilities include four time-interval channels, each rated at 10 MHz, with
channels supporting both 50 Ω and 75 Ω input impedance. Two digitizer channels, each with a
maximum sampling rate of 10 MS/s, include programmable input impedance and sampling rates
with a 24 Vpp input range.
Two channels of multifunction waveform generation deliver Sine, Triangle, Sawtooth, Square,
and Arbitrary signals up to 10 MHz, while four channels of dedicated square wave generation
further complement the source capabilities of this card. The addition of four 100 kHz differential
TTL I/O channels and three open collector output channels (50 V, 2.0 A) enable control of
external devices.
The GX3722 Series is supplied with GxFPGA, a software package that includes a virtual
instrument panel, and a Windows® 32/64-bit DLL driver and documentation.
To learn more about Marvin Test Solutions’ suite of PXI/PXIe user-programmable FPGA
modules, visit https://www.marvintest.com/category/fpga.
Economy Vector Signal Generator
The Rohde & Schwarz SMCV100B generator covers the 5G NR extended FR1 frequency range
up to 7.125 GHz, making it suitable for mobile communications applications. It also uses the
R&S WinIQSIM2 simulation software. This software supports all common cellular and wireless
connectivity standards, including standards for IoT and Wi-Fi (802.11xx) and many more. In
total, more than 30 standards are available, along with an arbitrary waveform generator to output
user-defined signals.
FPGA based real-time coders for broadcast standards used worldwide are available. The R&S
SMCV100B supports analog and digital radio standards as well as second and third generation
digital terrestrial and satellite-based television standards. This is the first economy platform that
supports ATSC 3.0 in addition to the DVB-T2 and DVB-S2X standards.
The R&S SMCV100B uses an advanced direct RF concept to generate output signals for
frequencies up to 2.5 GHz. This allows I/Q modulation and RF signal generation to be performed
in the digital domain, virtually eliminating the I/Q imbalance errors and LO leakage commonly
seen with conventional analog I/Q modulators. Thanks to the new concept, the SSB phase noise
performance of the signal generator is particularly good. An analog mixing concept is used to
generate frequencies above 2.5 GHz.
The high-performance, Linux based platform is completely extensible using software options.
All options are present in the device firmware and can be activated with option keys as needed.
This includes frequency extension up to 6 GHz or 7.125 GHz, increasing the RF modulation
bandwidth to 250 MHz, raising the RF output power to 23 dBm and waveform streaming with up
to 60 MHz (75 Msymbol/s) RF bandwidth.
Find more information at http://www.rohde-schwarz.com.
4-Channel Transient Data Acquisition System
CAS DataLoggers, in partnership with Delphin Technology, introduces a new model of the
Expert Transient data acquisition system, the 4 channel ET-4. Designed for data acquisition and
fault diagnostics, this system is especially suited for smaller applications that only require a few
analog input channels. A key feature of the Expert Transient family is the ability to
synchronously acquire multiple analog channels at sample rates up to 50 kHz. The ET-4 can
operate as a standalone device recording to internal memory to capture both transient and
periodical data.
In the event of a fault, this enables precise identification of the sequence of events in a
malfunction. Measurement data can be recorded either continuously or according to trigger
conditions and events including the ability to define triggers to record pre- and post-event data.
The ET-4 is equipped with powerful FPGA technology that provides extensive on-board
intelligence for calculations, logic, and data analysis.
In addition to the 4 analog input channels, the ET-4 has 4 digital inputs to capture pulses,
discrete inputs, or digital triggers. An extension bus allows the system to be extended to over 100
analog or digital inputs with high-speed synchronization protocols.
Features:
• 24 Bit A/D for high resolution measurements
• DataLoggerInc.com New 4-Channel ET-4 Expert Transient from Delphin 2
• 4 Analog outputs
• 8 Digital outputs
• Programmable anti-alias filtering
• Up to 14 GB of local non-volatile memory
• Support for USB, NFS, CIFS data storage, and FTP/SFTP file transfer
• Gigabit Ethernet interface, optional 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi
• RS-232, RS-485, CAN, ModBus RTU, ModBus TCP, and PROFIBUS interfaces
Data captured by the ET-4 can be displayed on a PC in trend charts using Delphin’s ProfiSignal
Go software.
For more information on the new Delphin ET-4 data acquisition system, visit
http://www.DataLoggerInc.com.
Vector Network Analyzer
The market and range of applications for the vector network analyzer have grown in recent years
and continue to do so. Growth is not simply driven by the proliferation of microwave, gigabit,
and wireless signals in our lives, but also in penetrating and short-range radar imaging and
proximity detection in secure spaces, and in dielectric materials, tissues and composites. The
vector network analyzer sits behind our data flow, communications, food, healthcare, defense,
civil infrastructure, robotics, and automation.
The newly announced PicoVNA 108, is in the same low-cost, small-footprint and portable
format as before. The PicoVNA 108 can see out further to 8.5 GHz, and it can see down deeper
to –124 dB.
Many users are aware that calibration standards and interconnects can both dominate
measurement errors in network analysis, so Pico supports both PicoVNA models with low-cost
but equally useful SMA and PC3.5 calibration standards and test leads, all with precision-
machined stainless steel connectors. PicoVNA software supports 8- or 12-term calibration,
including the "unknown thru" method. Unwanted measurement contributions from feedlines or
test jigs can be eliminated using manual or auto-sensed reference plane shift, normalization, or
de-embedded Touchstone, taken from either measurement or EM simulation. Fast Fourier time-
domain transformation and impedance transformation are both included as standard. TDT / TDR
plots have a system rise time down to 58 ps and these support resistance and distance to fault
readout out to over 100 meters.
More information on Pico Technology can be found at: http://www.picotech.com.
Compact, Low-Cost Optical Power Meters
PI introduces two new optical power meters for automated photonics alignment applications. The
F-712.IRP1 and its two-channel counterpart, the F-712.IRP2, convert optical signals in the 600
nm to 1700 nm range with optical power from 230 picowatts to 1.3 milliwatts into an analog
output voltage of 0.1 V to 1.6 V. To be useful for fast optical alignment systems, the output
signal conversion is logarithmic and optical power changes can be detected and converted with a
bandwidth of 6 kHz.
The logarithmic output scaling is especially important for fast scans and gradient search
algorithms because the signal strength can fluctuate by several orders of magnitude within a few
milliseconds, considering the minute dimensions of modern fiber optical components, such as
waveguides and arrays.
The broad optical range from 600 nm to 1700 nm allows for usability in both the visible and
infrared range without switching.
A clever design of the optical input connector / socket interface eliminates the influence of the
position of the optical fiber in the connector on the optical signal.
Find more information at https://www.pi-usa.us/en.
Amplifier Spans 10 kHz - 400 MHz Range With 1000 Watts of Power
AR's new amplifier, Model 1000A400, provides CW power up to 1000 watts, covering 10 kHz
to 400 MHz. In conjunction with AR's accessories and antennas, the 1000A400 is optimal for
reaching today's higher radiated and conducted susceptibility test levels, such as the increased
conducted immunity test levels of composite aircraft in the frequency range of 10 kHz to 400
MHz, along with many other applications.
Some key features of AR’s Model 1000A400 are:
• Rated Output Power: 1200 watts typical, 1000 watts minimum
• Power Output @ 1dB Compression: 1000 watts typical, 800 watts minimum
• 10 kHz - 400 MHz instantaneous frequency response
• Class A
• Portable
• Full VSWR Tolerance
• CE Compliant (EMC, LVD, and RoHS)
For more information, please visit www.ARWorld.US
Process Control Sensors with Digital Communication Interface
Digital communication opens many opportunities—but only sensors that reliably deliver precise
measured values offer real added value by Baumer’s IO-Link. Well established and appreciated
by many users, both pressure sensor PP20H and CombiLyz AFI conductivity sensors excel by
measuring performance and IO-Link interface, but now they offer even more interesting features
such as simple and fast parameterization- even during operation. This way, secondary data like
different process data output simultaneously or diagnostic data only accessible this way can be
communicated from sensor to controller or even retrieved from the sensor memory if required.
Dual Channel enables analog as well as digital sensor operation or both at the same time—this
way, Baumer process sensors such as conductivity sensor CombiLyz AFI and pressure sensor
PP20H work both in conventional control topologies and digital IO-Link control environments.
In process automation, the proven analog interface is helpful for sensor integration into existing
control concepts. Nevertheless, in sensor commissioning, IO-Link advantages such as easy and
fast parameterization or access to secondary data are a valuable help. For process control,
parallel readout of conductivity or pressure value is enabled via 4... 20 mA analog output.
IO-Link provides access to valuable secondary data: process data including sensor temperature
respectively process temperature of PP20H. Such information allows for interesting conclusions,
e.g., unusual temperature rise in containers or pipes. Such data are basic for predictive
maintenance. CombiLyz AFI conductivity sensor delivers information on media concentration in
addition to media conductivity. By doing so, the medium in process and its concentration is
precisely identified. Pressure sensor PP20H delivers ambient pressure information in addition to
process pressure. Therefore, the sensor can be deployed for both absolute and relative pressure
measurement.
With CombiLyz conductivity sensors and PP20H pressure sensors now featuring this digital
communication interface, Baumer further adds on their portfolio of IO-Link process sensors.
Solutions for flow and level detection using this digital communication standard are also
available.
Further information can be found at http://www.baumer.com/io-link-process-sensors.
Cameras Feature Fourth-Generation Sensor
IDS has integrated the high-performance, extremely high-resolution sensor IMX541 from the
Pregius S series into the versatile uEye SE camera family. Thanks to its compact 1.1" format, the
20.35 MP CMOS sensor is compatible with C-mount lenses. The industrial cameras feature a
practical USB3 Vision interface, deliver 20 fps and will be available either as board-level models
or with a robust metal housing.
Pregius S—the fourth generation of extremely powerful CMOS image sensors from Sony—
makes BSI ("Back Side Illuminated") technology available for the first time in global shutter
sensors. The benefits are smaller pixels (only 2.74 µm, which allows a significantly higher pixel
density), higher resolution and improved quantum efficiency and sensitivity. The new camera
models deliver outstanding image quality that meets demanding machine vision applications
such as surface inspections, detailed image evaluation in medical technology or use in the traffic
sector.
The compact industrial cameras are also a sensible alternative to cameras with similar high-
resolution, but large-format sensors, for which F-mount lenses are usually required. With the
uEye SE models, C-mount lenses can be used—which means considerable cost savings.
Further information can be found at https://en.ids-imaging.com/news-article/ueye-se-sony-
imx541.html.
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