The Little 3GHz High Resolution Frequency Counter That Could

The Aim-TTi PFM3000 3GHz Hand-Held Counter. Wide frequency range and high resolution The PFM3000 offers high sensitivity frequency measurement from 3Hz to more than 3GHz in two overlapping ranges.  Period measurement is also provided from 8ns to 330ms. The PFM3000 uses a continuous reciprocal measurement technique to provide high resolution at all frequencies with rapid update.It offers high sensitivity across the whole frequency range. A low pass filter can be selected to reduce high frequency signal noise at lower frequencies.   Large and clear display Despite its compact dimensions, the PFM3000 incorporates a large 8 digit LCD.  

Annunciators are provided for measurement function, measurement time, overflow, trigger activity, low battery, and measurement units. Low power consumption and push-to-measure Despite its wide frequency range the PFM3000 has a power consumption that enables it to operate for many hours from a PP3 size battery. A push-to-measure capability gives an instantaneous reading followed by an automatic power down after 15 seconds.  This provides greatly extended battery life where continuous monitoring of the signal is not required. Bench-top use The PFM3000 has the performance needed for many bench-top applications, and its built-in tilt stand sets the display at a convenient angle.

• 3GHz Hand-Held Counter
• PFM3000 3GHz Hand-Held Counter
• 3 Hz to 3000 MHz in two overlapping ranges
• High input sensitivity over the full frequency range
• High impedance measurement up to 125 MHz

More here:   

https://www.saelig.com/product/I1007.htm

Rigol Drops Scope prices!

There's fierce competition between to the two main bargain scope manufacturers: Rigol & Siglent.

Rigol's response has been to lower prices on all its Z models, which now start at $349.  And they've thrown in all the software options for free!

Let the battle continue!

http://www.saelig.com/ds1000z-series/ds1054z.htm

Saelig Intros Economical 4-Channel 100/200MHz SDS1000X-E “Super Phosphor” Oscilloscopes

Saelig Co. Inc. has introduced the Siglent SDS1104X-E (100MHz) and SDS1204X-E (200MHz) four-channel oscilloscopes that are built on the same platform as the very popular SDS1202X-E but with many improvements, including two 1GSa/s ADCs and two 14Mpt memory modules. Waveform capture rates are up to 100,000wfms/s in normal mode and 400,000wfms/s in sequence mode.  The SDS1000X-E scopes feature a large 7” 256-level color display with intensity grading and color temperature features to show signal event occurrence statistics.

The new 4-channel SDS1000X-E series employs a new generation of SPO (Super -Phosphor Oscilloscope) technology that provides excellent signal fidelity and performance since a hardware co-processor delivers measurements quickly and accurately without slowing acquisition or front-panel response.  Additionally, the low-noise design allows measurements of very small signals since the scopes support 500uV/div to 10V/div voltage settings, with most common adjustments quickly accessible with single-button front-panel control. 

Fast four-channel sampling is achieved with the two-ADC front-end design: when all channels are enabled, each channel has sample rate of 500MSa/s and a standard record length of 7Mpts. When only one channel per ADC is active, the maximum sample rate is 1GSa/s and the maximum record length is 14Mpts.  This new Siglent oscilloscope series supports multiple powerful triggering modes (Edge, Slope, Pulse Width, Window, Runt, Interval, Dropout, Pattern, Video) but also include serial bus data triggering since decoding for IIC, SPI, UART, CAN, LIN bus types is included as standard. The X-E models also include History waveform recording, and sequential triggering to facilitate extended waveform recording and analysis. A 1 million point FFT math function gives the SDS1000X-E very high frequency resolution when observing signal spectra. 

The SDS1000X-E series four channel scopes also feature searching and navigating, on-screen Bode plots (gain/ phase vs. frequency), 16 digital channels (option), an external USB powered 25MHz AWG module (option), a Siglent USB 802.11b/g/b WiFi adapter (option), and an embedded application that allows remote control of the instrument via a web browser for configuration, collecting data, or for remote troubleshooting and monitoring.

Supplied with four passive probes, the Siglent SDS1000X-E 4-channel oscilloscopes are available now from only $499 from Saelig Company, Inc.  A full range of current and voltage probes is also available.

Dave Jones tears down the new Siglent SDS1104X-E in this video: http://snip.ly/6f87z

Managing Obsolescence

Stuart Broadbent - Obsolescence Director at Alstom Transport and member of the Component Obsolescence Group (COG) - writes in Rail Engineer

"The increased use of electronic systems in rolling stock and rail infrastructure undoubtedly improves operational efficiency and safety for the rail operator as well as enhancing the passenger experience. For the rail engineer, however, these electronic systems come with the added challenge of managing obsolescence.  

Most component and equipment manufacturers are focused on their next-generation products and on emerging technologies. This reliance on research and development to provide new revenue streams means that today’s hot new products quickly become commodity and then legacy parts as the manufacturers follow timescales which are driven by fast- moving consumer markets.

Consider the mobile phone industry for example. Mobile-phone users will expect to upgrade their handsets every 18 to 24 months, whereas the planned lifecycle for rolling stock usually stretches to 30 or 40 years.

There is also a significant difference in the volume of units shipped to the consumer and rail industries. Analysts predict that global shipments of mobile handsets will reach 2.5 billion units in 2014. Compare that to the amount of components used in rolling stock, signals, rail infrastructure and passenger information systems and the difference in the production volumes of the two sectors becomes apparent."

One way to attack obsolescence is to make sure obsolete PCBs are well documented.  A useful tool for doing this - and even recreating the board - is ABI Electronics' RevEng.



Here's an article dealing with the recreation of undocumented PCBs.

CyberWeek Deals

Everybody seems to go crazy around Thanksgiving looking for bargains.  So of course we at Saelig want to join in the fun.



Our newsletter recipients will be getting special deals - so make sure you're signed up to find out about these offers!

http://www.saelig.com/signup.htm

How To Use A Spectrum Analyzer (video)

Spectrum Analyzers measure the magnitude of input signals at each frequency within the range of the instrument, showing the power spectrum of signals. By analyzing the spectra of electrical signals, peak frequency, power, distortion, harmonics, bandwidth, and other spectral components of a signal can be observed that are not easily seen in time domain waveform displays. These parameters are useful in the characterization of electronic devices, such as wireless transmitters.

here's a helpful video by Jason Chonko from Siglent Technologies:  

https://youtu.be/lD01VYo9TSY

Pico Technology's USB TC-08 Thermocouple Data Logger (+ Video)

USB TC-08 Thermocouple Data Logger

The TC-08 thermocouple data logger offers industry-leading performance and a cost-effective solution to your temperature measuring needs.

• 8 channel thermocouple data logger
• Measures from -270 to 1820 °C
• Automatic cold junction compensation
• High resolution and accuracy
• Fast sampling rate
• Multiple units can be run on a single PC
• USB interface

Wide temperature range

The TC-08 thermocouple data logger is designed to measure a wide range of temperatures using any thermocouple that has a miniature size thermocouple connector. Additionally, the TC-08 can also measure other sensors using a 70 mV range.

Featuring built-in cold junction compensation (CJC), the TC-08 has an effective temperature range of -270 to 1820 °C (The actual temperature range depends on the thermocouple being used.)

All the benefits of USB

The TC-08 connects to the USB port of a Windows based PC and enables the host PC to automatically detect the TC-08 " avoiding the need for any complex setup procedures. The USB connection also allows the TC-08 to be powered directly by the USB bus " eliminating the need for an external power supply and making the TC-08 ideal for measuring temperatures both in the lab and in the field.

The TC-08's USB connectivity allows up to 10 TC-08 USB data loggers to be used simultaneously on one PC " making the TC-08 ideal for use as a large multi-channel temperature acquisition system with a cost per channel significantly lower than other systems of this size.

Fast and accurate temperature data acquisition

With the TC-08 thermocouple data logger your measurements can be made both fast and accurately.

The low conversion time of the TC-08 means up to 10 temperature measurements can be taken every second. Whilst the high (20 bit) resolution ensures that the TC-08 can detect minute changes in temperature.

All you need in one easy-to-use unit

Temperature data acquisition with the TC-08 is very easy, simply plug the TC-08 into a USB port on your computer, connect your thermocouples, and you are ready to measure temperatures.

The easy-to-use PicoLog data acquisition software is supplied with the TC-08 - allowing you to start measuring and recording temperatures with the minimum amount of effort. The intuitive user interface of PicoLog makes it easy for you to set how frequently you want to take a measurement, and the number of measurements you want to take.

Here's a video showing the use of the Pico USB TC-08 with temperature and relative humidity sensors to create a  humidity and temperature data logger. The TC-08 can use any thermocouple that has a miniature size TC connector.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dHWiOFylYE

Amfeltec makes PCI and PCIe Expansion Backplanes and In-Circuit Programmers

Founded in 1989 and Incorporated in 2004, Amfeltec Corporation is dedicated to electronic design and engineering support of electronic manufacturing. Amfeltec has decades of expertise from highly qualified hardware and software engineers in fully equipped design and testing facilities. Amfeltec continues to develop new products built to enable design engineers to quickly assess their projects. The products also give contract manufacturers and process engineers the ability to offer programming and engineering support for the designed products with relative ease.

http://www.saelig.com/category/MFR00148.htm

Saelig Acquires Jeffrey Kerr LLC Motion Control Product Line

Fairport, NY:  Saelig Company Inc., a Fairport-based small business distributing electronics and electronic test and measurement equipment, has just acquired the product lines and inventory assets of Jeffrey Kerr, LLC, a Californian maker of servo and stepper motor control boards and ICs.  Saelig will now own the fabrication and distribution of the JRKerr products, which include I/O and motion controllers and related products in addition to servo and stepper motor controllers.  Located on Perinton Parkway, Saelig’s other products include oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, waveform generators, universal circuit board diagnostic systems, and RF-shielded test and forensic enclosures.

 

JEFFREY KERR, LLC has manufactured its motion control product line for the last 22 years, and Saelig has been a primary stocking distributor of this line for the past 12 years.  The two companies have worked closely over the past decade on the sale and support of these products, and both have worked hard over recent months to ensure that this transition is completely transparent to their loyal customers.  No changes are planned to the product line or to its pricing or availability.

Furthermore, Jeff Kerr, the original designer of this product line, will continue to provide the same product technical support as he has done for the last 22 years. The circuit boards will still be made by the same manufacturing house, the ICs will be programmed by the same programming device, and the in-house test procedures will be identical to those used hitherto.

Link to the JRKerr products: http://www.saelig.com/category/MFR00048.htm

Orders for JRKerr products can continue to be placed through Saelig just as has been previously done.  For detailed specifications, free technical assistance, or additional information, contact Saelig at sales@saelig.com or 1-877-7SAELIG  (1-877-772-3544).

4-ch Channel High Resolution Oscilloscope With Differential Inputs

The PicoScope 4444 High-resolution Differential Oscilloscope features four true differential input channels and a range of accessories for measurements from millivolt to 1000 V CAT III applications. It has been designed specifically for making accurate voltage waveform measurements on circuits that are not ground-referenced, avoiding the dangers of equipment damage due to short circuits.

The PicoScope 4444 can facilitate differential voltage measurements in the presence of common-mode signals, with 14-bit resolution and 20MHz bandwidth on all four differential channels and 256MSa waveform capture memory. It is ideal for the precise analysis of complex waveforms ranging from biomedical sensors to current probes and 1000 V CAT III power distribution circuits. The PicoScope 4444 offers a choice of complementary 1:1 low-voltage and 25:1 1000V CAT III probes to address these and other situations. The oscilloscope has an intelligent probe interface that can provide power for a wide range of PicoConnect voltage probes, current probes such as Hall effect DC/AC, and Rogowski coil type active current probes. The scope automatically detects when a compatible probe is connected and sets the corresponding units and vertical settings in the supplied PicoScope 6 software.

The USB-powered PicoScope 4444 is available in two kits that include key accessories:

·         PicoScope 4444 Standard Differential Oscilloscope Kit, consisting of a PicoScope 4444, three differential 1:1 probes and one TA271 BNC single input adaptor.

·         PicoScope 4444 1000 V CAT III Differential Oscilloscope Kit, consisting of a PicoScope 4444, three 1000 V CAT III 25:1 differential probes and one BNC input adaptor.

Scientists and electronics engineers frequently need to make low-voltage measurements in the presence of high common-mode noise or varying offset voltages. Ground-referenced oscilloscopes require the use of two input channels and an A–B math function to observe the differential signal of interest. But, in addition to requiring two input channels, most scopes don’t have a high enough common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR), nor the resolution to make measurements with sufficient precision.  Engineers working on polyphase power distribution systems need to measure phase-to-phase AC voltages, rather than phase to ground. A ground-referenced scope can’t be used as it will cause a short circuit. External differential probes are a solution but they are quite expensive and cumbersome, with each probe requiring its own power supply. The PicoScope 4444 provides the solutions for each of these situations, but it can also be used as a general purpose scope with all the useful features that PicoScope software provides - such as serial bus decoding, mask and limit testing, math channels and automatic measurements.

Made by Pico Technology, Europe’s award-winning oscilloscope adapter manufacturer, PicoScope 4444 High-resolution Differential Oscilloscopes are available now from Saelig Company, Inc. their USA technical distributor. For detailed specifications, free technical assistance, or additional information, please contact Saelig 888-7SAELIG, via email: info@saelig.com, or visit http://bit.ly/2tIxKrF

SDG6000X: New Economical 500MHz Dual-Channel AWGs with great specs from Siglent

Saelig Company, Inc. has introduced Siglent’s SDG6000X series of Dual-Channel Pulse/Arbitrary Waveform Generators that create test signals up to 500MHz using a sample rate of 2.4GSa/s and 16-bit vertical resolution for an 80dB dynamic range. This series features Siglent’s proprietary TrueArb and EasyPulse technologies that solve the weaknesses inherent in traditional DDS waveform creation.  TrueArb technology generates arbitrary waveforms “point-by-point” to produce a very low jitter (< 150ps) output signal from stored memory.   Rapid rise and falling edges are enabled with the EasyPulse design, unaffected by frequency setting, extreme duty cycle, or extreme edge and width settings.  The SDG6000X generators achieve extremely high accuracy performance in both time domain and amplitude, resulting in more accurately reconstructed waveforms with lower distortion, low noise floor, and excellent signal-to-noise ratio.

Available in 200/350/500MHz versions, the SDG6000X series of signal generators feature a 4.3” TFT touch screen display to provide fast operation and a clear view of settings.  Waveform rise/fall times can be set independently to a minimum of 1ns at any frequency with a minimum adjustment step as small as 100ps.  The pulse width can be fine-tuned to the minimum of 3.3ns with an adjustment step as small as 100ps, at any frequency.  These generators can produce conventional waveforms, Noise, IQ signals, and PRBS patterns with a maximum amplitude of 20V pp.   EasyWave software, provided free, is a powerful arbitrary waveform editing application that supports many means of conveniently generating or editing arbitrary waveforms, such as manual drawing, line-drawing, equation-drawing, coordinate-drawing, etc.

The SDG6000X series has independent dual generators that offer 196 built-in arbitrary waveforms with a high-precision 8-digit 0.1Hz to 400MHz dual-channel Frequency Counter that offers a statistics functionality. Standard interfaces include USB Host, USB Device, LAN（VXI-11, Socket, Telnet) with optional GPIB.

Signal generating capability includes Modulation, Sweep, Burst, and Waveform Combination. Multiple modulation types are supported, including AM, FM, PM, FSK, ASK, PSK, DSBAM, PWM. The modulation source can be configured as internal or external. Modulation sweep modes include linear and log. Burst modes include N cycle and gated. Both sweep and burst can be triggered by internal, external or manual source, while IQ signal modulation is an option.  The Waveform Combining mode superimposes CH1 and CH2 waveforms internally, outputting the resulting waveform that can be a combination of basic waveforms, random noise, modulation signals, sweep signals, or burst signals, etc.

The SDG6000X series generate high fidelity, low jitter signals to meet the growing requirements of complex applications, and they are available now from Saelig Company, Inc.

http://www.saelig.com/pr/sdg6000x.html

Get to market fast with the U8S Intelligent USB charging PCB

Integrate the U8S into a cart, case, trolley or desk unit to offer intelligent charging and data transfer.

The U8S is a pre-designed module to allow a user to connect and charge 8x USB devices with a single host computer. It is a module which is ready to drop into your design to offer functionality which adds real value to your product.

The U8S should not be confused with a standard USB hub, the U8S is, like all Cambrionix products, over-engineered to provide both high current charging for 8x power-hungry USB devices as well as robust data transfer to the host and a control interface accessible via our API (application programming interface) or Live Viewer App.

In addition to being able to use an off the shelf component for your universal charging and data requirements, we offer a number of reference designs for front panel displays using both LED and LCD. These displays can be used to provide user feedback on port status, animated charging icons or arbitrary text which can be sent to the displays via our API.

These reference designs are provided free of charge and we offer design-in support.

Reliability was the number one priority when designing the U8S and as a result, we are yet to receive a statistically significant number of returned units. The U8S powers over 100,000 (one hundred thousand!) USB ports across the world for OEMs on each continent.

Our reliability means that once the U8S is built into its target system, for example a smart charging locker, you are very unlikely to experience a customer returned unit due to a faulty U8S.

Internally, the U8S has a microcontroller at its heart which allows our unique API and Live Viewer app to display information about each port and also allows the user to control those ports in a variety of ways. We have partnered with a number of component suppliers during the development of the U8S and have deep knowledge of every component used within the U8S design.

The U8S is supplied with the latest Cambrionix firmware although updating the firmware is performed quickly and easily using the Firmware Updater App which is available as a free download. We can offer new versions of firmware to add additional API features and additional charging profiles for obscure devices which may not necessarily adhere to documented standards (or not be on the market yet).

All versions of the U8S support our API which allows you to automate, monitor and control each port programatically using a variety of programming languages. With the API you can monitor current consumption of each individual port, total connection time, charging time, turn power on/off to individual ports, emulate different charging profiles, read USB VID/PID and much more.

The API consists of a service module or daemon that is loaded on the host computer. The service module is accessed via JSON-RPC calls over a TCP/IP socket. Cambrionix provides sample Python code complete with the necessary JSON library code to be able to make the necessary calls for controlling Cambrionix products that are connected to the host computer.

It is of course possible to access the API from any programming environment that has support for making JSON-RPC calls over a TCP/IP socket.

The API is available as a free download and is well documented and supported by Cambrionix engineers.

We also supply our Live Viewer App which allows you to monitor and control ports using a graphical user interface.

 http://www.saelig.com/cambrionix/u8c.htm

MSR Dataloggers from Saelig for Transport Monitoring

Swiss-based MSR Electronics dataloggers (http://www.saelig.com/category/MFR000...) are compact, multiparameter dataloggers for a wide range of research, development and monitoring situations, recording up to 5 measurement parameters simultaneously, precisely and efficiently.

Applications include: goods shipment verification, aircraft and flight attitude monitoring, R&D quality measurements, sports, human and material testing, process flow, medical prediagnostics, pharmaceutical long-term data acquisition, drug testing, environment air, soil and climate measurements. Dustproof or waterproof loggers can monitor: temperature, RH, pressure (e.g. altimeter, water level, barometer), 3-axis acceleration (e.g. determining position) and 2 to 4 analog inputs (0 to 3.0 V;12 bit).

Here's a video that shows more:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I8nlY-h9V8

What is the difference between a “ground” and a “signal return”?

EMC guru Kenneth Wyatt’s writes:

"So many product designers still believe "ground" is some sort of "sink hole" for noise to drain into. I would propose we in the EMC and design communities delete the word "ground" from our vocabularies and replace with signal return and power return. Likewise, replace "ground plane" with return plane. It is much more descriptive of the actual physics. Remember all currents flow in loops - including "noise" currents! Defining return paths for all currents, while minimizing the (current) loop areas would go far in reducing EMI and resulting PC board spins. Companies whose designers understand this will end up far ahead of their competitors! I highly recommend watching these free video presentations."

Brush up on your EMC basics or learn from current industry leaders whenever and wherever you want – watch these FREE, online presentations on radiated emissions (RE), shielding, EMI filters, and grounding. Discover how to successfully design and evaluate your electronic product or system to meet EMC requirements.

This tutorial is an overview of many of the major topics that need to be considered when designing an electronic product or system to meet EMI/EMC requirements. The tutorial will present the foundational ideas from physics and mathematics and will demonstrate the engineering approaches to help the attendees to be able successfully design, evaluate, diagnose, and/or solve EMI/EMC problems. The main objective of this tutorial is to provide a learning opportunity for those that are new to EMC/EMI as well as provide a review of the basics to those who already have experience in this area. Topics included in the Tutorial are emissions, printed circuit boards, grounding, shielding, cables, filters and testing fundamentals.

http://bit.ly/2haDYJR

 

Warrior ICs from Code Mercenaries - Universal I/O Controllers

Warrior ICs from Code Mercenaries are a family of universal I/O controllers for USB that handle all USB’s complex protocol details. No Windows software drivers are needed since Warrior ICs appear as HID Device Class (Human Interface Device). This means that Warrior ICs are controlled without screen-prompting for additional software - system drivers allow access to Warrior ICs directly from application programs. A Linux driver is also included.

Controlling Warrior ICs from your software is very simple. For Windows (XP, 2K, Vista) you can use any standard programming language to access the libraries, including Visual Basic. For MacOS X, support includes a software library which even allows access via AppleEvents™. Want to make a FileMaker™ solution to open a cash drawer, for instance? Easily done with IO-Warrior!

Code Mercenaries has been a supplier for industrial input device and peripheral manufacturers since 1998. 

The keyboard/mouse controller family KeyWarrior, and the mouse controller family MouseWarrior serve as basis for a large number of industrial input devices, such as products for the disability market and other specialty input devices.

The joystick controller family JoyWarrior serves a broad range of customers from industrial machine/vision control, professional and semiprofessional simulator control, to hobby and model building. Joystick/mouse hybrid controllers MW24J8 and MW24H8 make good options for front panel design – they are switch selectable to work as a mouse or joystick allowing both cursor control and data input via a joystick.

JoyWarrior24F8 is a low cost three axis acceleration sensor. With its small size and simple USB connection, it opens a lot of new application options. The MouseWarrior24F8 variant of this sensor is a mouse replacement that needs no surface for operation.

Applications for the IO-Warrior universal USB I/O controllers are very diverse. Only the number of pins and the data rate limit the use of IO-Warrior. It is used in laboratory setups, test equipment, as well as in hobby projects or full scale device production - either as the core of a device or just the USB interface.  IO-Warrior chips control robots and telescopes, perform quality control on production lines, take measurements in labs, control switches, and displays in front panels or simulator cockpits, or work as the USB interface in many kinds of manufactured products.

SpinWarrior is a family of rotary encoder controllers with USB interface. Variants allow from 3 to 6 encoders to be USB-connected, and are suitable for motion control, measurement, or human interface applications.

Recently, Code Mercenaries started developing and manufacturing products for LED lighting applications, delivering maximum efficiency and maximum life cycle to match the potential of modern LED technology.

Here's a video summary of their products:  https://youtu.be/Mnc1f2e-O4A

A 5 minute introduction to the Cambrionix API

What is an API?

API is an acronym for Application Programming Interface. The Cambrionix API is a collection of software building blocks which enables a user or developer to develop their own software which accesses the professional hardware and software features inherent within Cambrionix products.

Write your own software with our Cambrionix API to enhance your products and solutions

What can the API be used for?

The API can (subject to your coding skills!) be used to monitor and control the ports on your Cambrionix product. Some examples of what you can do include:

• Measure the current consumption of a device connected to a port

• Change the state of a port from charging, sync (data transfer) or off

• Read the unit temperature, fan speed, voltage levels

• Read the USB Vendor ID, USB Manufacturer ID and USB Serial number of a device (tablet, phone etc) connected to a port

• Find out how long a connected device has been charging or whether its charged.

• Access some of our GPIO pins for driving LED indicators or driving an LCD display

• Send text to a connected LCD

• Read and act upon switches connected to our GPIO

What you do with the information, and ability to control GPIO, is entirely your choice but we have listed a couple of examples below:

A secure charging and sync station for military, aerospace or healthcare applications

Our API allows a system developer to read the USB VID/PID and serial number of connected devices. What this means is that it is possible to develop a system which will only charge or transfer data to connected devices which are on an approved devices list. This is particularly of interest in industries where tablet devices are used as to assist employees and require regular updating and charging, for instance in healthcare. The system prevents unapproved devices being charged or inadvertently having data pushed onto them. The above example is applicable also to schools who use tablet devices as part of their teaching plan but is relevant also to retail, and prison services amongst others.

JADTEU training section using iPads – Software could control what devices can be charged/updated.

Phone remarketing and technology logistics

In this instance a company may need to be able to monitor the types of devices they are testing and ‘making new’ for re-sale. On the other hand they may simply need a robust method of connecting multiple devices to a host computer in order to ‘flash’ them with the latest operating system or carrier-specific software. The API certainly offers an easy method of monitoring how a particular device charges and also an easy way to log the devices tested/flashed as part of an audit trail.

A tablet device hire system

There are instances where an institution may wish to hire or loan tablet devices to either employees or visitors and the tablet devices need to be kept charged and ready for hire. They also need to be wiped of data from the previous user. Our API can significantly help the system designer to make this project a reality. By offering the ability to log which devices are connected and disconnected from the system (through the API reading the VID/PID etc.) they can automate the billing process or be able to flag to the hire company when a device hasn’t come back to base within a certain timeframe.

The API, and its ability to measure charging current, charging time and charging complete, means a hire company is also able to keep stats on device battery charging. Historical battery stats (linked to the device VID/PID/Serial Number) can give some big indications as to whether a device’s battery is beginning to fail. Aside from the ‘behind the scenes’ work the API can assist with, the API makes it easy to provide user feedback on system status without ever opening a laptop or booting a computer. Simply attach an LCD to our expansion header (U16S) and send text to it via the API. Alternatively, address up to 48x LEDs using simple API commands. The above example is applicable to museum tablet or audio player hire companies, general tablet (or other USB devices) hire companies, healthcare (patient hires tablet device to watch movies/TV or to send email, make calls etc.) and many more.

Use the Cambrionix API to automatically obtain phone manufacturer and model information. Just some of the automation available via our API.

Conclusion

As you can see, the API can really open the door to some novel USB device management systems applicable to lots of industries. Most of which we operate within. If you are a systems integrator or designer, IT professional or a company about to deploy mobile devices in large volumes, then our products plus API will help your project become a reality, and with a feature-list larger than you originally anticipated!

More here: http://www.saelig.com/category/cambrionix.htm