Tektronix delivers audio bus and power analysis solutions for the embedded design engineer
Tektronix, a worldwide provider of test, measurement and monitoring instrumentation, today announced the industry's first triggering and analysis module for digital audio serial buses and a new power analysis module - both new modules complement the MSO/DPO4000 Series and DPO3000 Series oscilloscopes. The DPOxAUDIO and DPOxPWR modules (DPO3AUDIO, DPO4AUDIO, DPO3PWR and DPO4PWR) are designed to automate key measurement and analysis tasks on digital audio buses and switch-mode power supplies, respectively, enabling engineers to more quickly troubleshoot and debug their designs for a faster time to market. These new capabilities address two key challenges facing today's embedded design engineer - the integration of digital audio and the drive to greater power efficiency.
As consumers "go green," they are demanding lower power usage from their electronic products to conserve energy. Embedded design engineers rely on compact switch-mode power supplies to provide maximum power efficiency, reducing power usage in line-powered electronics and extending battery life in portable designs. These power supplies require numerous specialized measurements; tests that take both time and expertise. The new DPOxPWR module is configured with features and automated measurements to quickly, correctly, and completely perform these tests every time-with no complicated programming required of the user. Similarly, the DPOxAUDIO module addresses the needs of designers integrating digital audio capability into products ranging from toys to gaming systems and mobile phones to professional recording consoles. Common serial bus protocols used in these designs include I2S, TDM, and others. Designers need tools that can help them decode and debug these buses efficiently. The DPOxAUDIO module instantly decodes the protocol, presenting the waveform and decoded data packets time-aligned on the scope display, and provides the ability to automatically trigger on and then search for specific packet level content.
"Today's designer is facing a changing design landscape; now designs must be optimized for power efficiency and often feature integrated digital audio. Designers want solutions that simplify complex measurements and debug tasks, allowing them to focus their efforts on innovation and problem-solving," said Bob Bluhm, vice president and general manager, Value Oscilloscope Product Line, Tektronix. "The new DPOxPWR application module is designed for fast setup and ease of use and is built upon the extensive expertise Tektronix brings in the power measurement arena. The DPOxAUDIO module is the industry's only solution that can automatically decode, trigger, and search through audio protocol data. Both modules enable MSO/DPO4000 and DPO3000 Series users to get great results quickly. We are committed to providing the bench instruments required by embedded designers to speed and simplify debug of their complex designs."
Modules Automate Complex Tests to Simplify Debug
The versatile oscilloscopes in the MSO/DPO4000 and DPO3000 Series have earned a reputation as productivity leaders thanks to unique features like the Wave InspectorTM search/navigation toolset and the TekVPITM probe interface as well as the integrated protocol-specific analysis modules and more. The new DPOxPWR and DPOxAUDIO modules add to this feature set and transform the host oscilloscope into a powerful acquisition, display, and analysis solution for a specific industry challenge. Both install directly on the host oscilloscope and provide one-button automation without the use of special interfaces or external PCs.
The DPOxPWR power analysis module automates power measurements including power quality, switching loss, harmonics, safe operating area (SOA), modulation, ripple, and slew rate (di/dt, dv/dt), and simplifies the probe de-skewing steps that precede power measurements. One button initiates the tests, and results are displayed on the oscilloscope's own screen. No external computer or interface is required. An embedded designer who rarely deals with power measurements can get the same accurate, repeatable results as a power supply expert.
The DPOxAUDIO serial triggering and analysis module, like other Tektronix serial bus application modules, is a debug tool that delivers unsurpassed insight into serial bus behavior. It decodes and triggers on user-defined packet content and then displays the results as time-correlated waveforms and data packets. The module automatically decodes packet streams in the I2S, LJ, RJ, and TDM audio bus formats. Using the oscilloscope's standard Wave Inspector tools, designers can search packet-level content and mark points of interest, and then navigate among these with the Next and Previous keys and the Pan/Zoom knob.
Pricing and Availability
Both new application modules are compatible with Tektronix oscilloscopes in the MSO4000 Series (four models), the DPO4000 Series (three models), and the DPO3000 Series (six models). All MSO/DPO4000 Series and DPO3000 Series oscilloscope models are available for purchase and delivery now. The application modules will be available for purchase and delivery on February 12, 2009.
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