Recreating Undocumented PCBs

Remanufacturing an obsolete circuit board in the absence of relevant documentation is made easier with this unique hardware/software system.

THE PROBLEM

Imagine you are confronted with an obsolete or undocumented circuit board from some vital piece of equipment and the situation requires that product function again, or maintains production until a drastic redesign has occurred. But there exists no BOM, no layouts, and no schematics. What if you have been tasked to redesign a portion of a board that contains obsolete components, and you don’t have documentation as a guide? Equipment that is no longer manufactured or supported by the original supplier is an increasingly pressing problem for users and maintainers of long life systems such as water and electricity utilities, medical equipment, military systems, air traffic control, aircraft maintenance, avionics simulation, traffic control, trains, and signaling.

For systems with an operational life of 25 years or more, the support strategy for spares and repairs are critical issues. Famous and long established companies are being taken over, restructured, or go out of business, leading to the growing situation where no support is available. Rapidly changing technology increases support and manufacturing problems. Many commercial products quickly become obsolete (try buying the same PC motherboard after only six months ….) and are not supported or manufactured long before the end of their true operating life. And although many consumer products are replaced rather than repaired, this approach cannot be applied to long-life systems.

A standard solution from many suppliers is an upgrade to the latest product or its nearest equivalent. But when a product is part of a large system that has been through rigorous certification, this solution is unacceptable unless the replacement is physically and functionally identical (form/fit/function). Changing to a new component may mean the enormous expense of requalifying the whole system for critical equipment such as medical diagnostic machines.

Read on here:  http://www.saelig.com/supplier/abi/abi-reveng.pdf

Saelig Introduces SAM40 24-Bit Data Acquisition for HDO Oscilloscopes

 up to 24 channels for low frequency acquisition and analysis with a 4/8 channel Teledyne LeCroy 12-bit resolution high definition oscilloscope

The Teledyne LeCroy SAM40 Data Acquisition Unit provides up to 24 analog or digital input channels for low frequency (e.g. sensor signal) acquisition and analysis when connected to a 4 or 8 channel Teledyne LeCroy 12-bit resolution high definition oscilloscope. This capability is ideal for system debug and analysis of motors and drives, power products, appliances, Internet of Things (IoT), vehicle/automotive devices, and other applications.in the embedded, electromechanical, and mechatronic designs in the medical, military, and aerospace fields.

The SAM40 offers high precision and accuracy 24-bit resolution measurements for signals up to 40 kHz bandwidth with a sample rate of 100kS/s.  Operation is easy with plug-and-play support from a 4 or 8 channel 12-bit resolution Teledyne LeCroy oscilloscope.  The SAM40 simply connects to the oscilloscope with a USB2.0 cable for data transfer and control/trigger commands, and with BNC cables for clock and timebase synchronization. No programming or complex setups are required.  The oscilloscope’s math, measure, analysis, pass/fail and option packages utilize the sensor inputs the same as any other channel. This makes the Teledyne LeCroy's deep toolbox even more powerful.

IEPE/ICP sensors are also supported with the built-in internal 4mA bias supply.  The BNC signal inputs are compatible with wide variety of off-the-shelf sensors.  The SAM40’s features include bandwidth limiting, with settings as low as 100 Hz to reduce visible noise, and adjustable gain in 1/2/5 steps, to accurately acquire and display a wide range of signal levels.  All channels have 24-bit resolution, stored in 32-bit floating point format, with 0.05% total accuracy.

The SAM40 24-bit acquisition system offers a rescaling/unit conversion capability. Teledyne LeCroy's unit conversion package provides the most intuitive display of sensor, mechatronic and electromechanical data. Each sensor channel input has a unique rescaling setup directly in the setup dialog with y=mx+b rescaling capability and selection of physical units. All unit conversions carry through logically when unitized sensor inputs are used in math or measurements.

The SAM40 is useful for analyzing analog speed or torque sensor signals, vibration sensors, accelerometers, and other mechatronic signals. Engineers commonly use multiple instruments to debug and validate complex deeply embedded control systems, mechatronics, and electro-mechanical systems. Multiple instruments report different information on different displays and in different formats. An HDO with a sensor acquisition module cost-effectively replaces multiple instruments with one consolidated view of system performance. Leverage the Teledyne LeCroy deep toolbox to perform math, measurements, pass/fail and other analysis on all acquired data, or apply an application package to gain even faster time to insight.

Available in 8, 16, or 24-channel inputs, the SAM40 Data acquisition Unit starts at $8,990 from Teledyne LeCroy’s authorized North American distributor Saelig Company, Inc. Fairport, NY. 

EMCView PC Software For EMC Pre-compliance Testing

TekBox EMCView simplifies the process of EMC pre-compliance testing of radiated and conducted emissions with numerous pre-configured project files for CISPR-xx (EN550xx) emission measurements

Saelig Company, Inc. announces the availability of the TekBox EMCView Pre-compliance Testing  Software.  This PC-compatible software simplifies the process of EMC pre-compliance testing of radiated and conducted emissions.  EMCView complements an emissions test setup of a spectrum analyzer, an LISN (Line Impedance Stabilization Networks) and an EMI-quiet TEM (Transverse ElectroMagnetic) Cell.  Built-in amplitude correction provides the correction and conversion coefficients for cables, amplifiers, attenuators, LISNs, TEM cells, antennas, RF current probes, striplines and capacitive coupling clamps.

Without any time-consuming setup, the software is ready for measurements immediately after installation on a PC. All emission-related CISPR-xx (EN550xx) measurements, as well as some automotive manufacturer standards, are pre-configured in corresponding project files.  The resulting graph supports two complete measurement runs, such as Average / Quasi-Peak or Peak / Quasi Peak or alternatively a fast Quasi-Peak scan of critical peaks.

FEATURES

·         numerous pre-configured project files for CISPR-xx (EN550xx) emission measurements

·         graph supports two complete measurement runs, same as in a test house

·         fast Quasi-Peak scan of critical peaks, immune to frequency drift of the selected peaks

·         configurable limit lines and segment files

·         configurable correction files for cable, LISN, amplifier, antenna etc.

·         configurable margins for the identification and selection of critical peaks

·         supports import and overlaying of reference measurements for comparison purpose

·         linear or logarithmic frequency axis

·         automatic creation of test reports

·         many import/export-functions

EMCview software currently supports spectrum analyzers from Rigol and Siglent,  but support for other manufacturers will be added in future software versions.  The anlyzers should preferably be equipped with the manufacturer’s “EMI option”, although it is not essential; if it is not installed, the analyzer will change the preconfigured resolution bandwidths of 200Hz, 9kHz or 120kHz (as specified in the EMC standards) to 300Hz, 10kHz or 100kHz.

With EMCView Pre-compliance Testing  Software, in-house measurements of EMC behavior during product design phase, EMC educational training and pre-compliance product testing are all made easier.   
Created by EMI experts TekBox, it is available now from their authorized North American distributor Saelig Company, Inc. Fairport, NY.  For detailed specifications, free technical assistance, or additional information, please contact Saelig at 888-7SAELIG, via email: info@saelig.com, or by visiting http://www.saelig.com/MFR00154/emcview.htm

What is an SDK ?

Have you ever wondered what an "SDK" is?  It is an abbreviation for "Software Development Kit" stands for ? It's a set of tools for software development that allows a programmer to create applications for a particular system, for example certain packages of software; frameworks; hardware platforms; computers in general, consoles, operating systems, etc. 

If you need to automate some equipment that has a PicoScope in it, or you want to program some testing using a PicoScope or PicoLog device, but don't know where to start?

In this video, Pico’s technical support engineer Hitesh Mistry explains how PicoSDK Software Development Kit works, what drivers and code examples are available and where to find them all. LabView, MATLab, etc.

https://youtu.be/ufPPAK1dXb4

APTA 2017 (Atlanta) Success!

#APTAEXPO2017 was a great success and consolidated ABI's position as the PCB test/repair supplier of choice with #transit agencies, #rail operators and OEMs. There was huge interest in ABI's solutions from organizations such as MARTA, Amtrak, Siemens, Wabtec Corporation, BAE Systems, Thales, and many more.

ABI's test equipment can be used in-house without the need for sending bad boards out for repair.  Great for rail communication systems, braking and traction, air conditioning, control systems, and signaling equipment.

We look forward to working with each of this important companies and assist with this time-saving and cost-saving technology to keep electronic systems running at the lowest cost possible!

#ABISavesYouTime.

Now In Stock: Wireless 30MHz Scope-In-A-Probe!

The IkaScope WS200 is a pen-shaped battery-powered wireless oscilloscope that streams captured signals to almost any WiFi-connected screen.  The IkaScope WS200 offers a 30MHz bandwidth with its 200MSa/s sampling rate and the maximum input is +/-40Vpp.  It provides galvanically-isolated measurements even when a USB connection is charging the internal battery.  The IkaScope WS200 will work on desktop computers (Windows, Mac, and Linux) as well as on mobile devices like tablets or smartphones (iOS and Android Q4 2017).  The free application software can be downloaded for whichever platform is needed.

The IkaScope WS200 has no power switch; it detects pressure on the probe tip and turns on automatically.  Patented ProbeClick technology saves battery life: all power-consuming circuitry is only turned on when the probe tip is pressed, and the IkaScope WS200 automatically shuts down completely after a short period of non-use. The internal 450mAh battery lasts about one week with daily regular use before recharging is necessary. An isolated USB connection allows for recharging the internal battery and two LEDs in the unit indicate battery charge and WiFi status.

Clicking the Autoset button on the IkaScope software automatically adjusts gain and time-base to quickly view the signal optimally.  The IkaScope WS200 also knows when to measure and when to hold the signal display without the need for a Run/Stop button. The IkaScope's innovative Automatic History feature saves a capture of the signal when releasing pressure on the ProbeClick tip.  The History Database is divided into Current Session and Favorites, where signal captures are permanently saved, even after the application is closed.  Previously measured signals can quickly be recalled.  

Most desktop oscilloscopes have a static reference grid with a fixed number of divisions, but the IkaScope allows pinch and zoom on touch screens (or zoom in/out with a mouse wheel), stretching the grid and allowing an operator to move and zoom through a signal capture for detailed review.  The associated software even has a share button on the screen: simply click on it to share screenshot measurements.   

  

Made by Ikalogic, a growing European embedded test equipment manufacturer, the CE/FCC/RoHS-certified IkaScope WS200 Oscilloscope is small (6.4” x 1.3” x 0.7”) and very lightweight (2 oz.) and is ideal for every traveling toolbox. 

Order online here:

https://www.saelig.com/product/ws200.htm

Automobile Noise and Vibration Diagnostic Tool

NVH Kit works in conjunction with the PicoScope automotive oscilloscopes for real-time diagnostics

The PicoDiagnostics NVH Kit from Pico Technology is a cost-effective tool for solving the many noise, vibration, and harshness problems presented to automotive technicians. The NVH Kit works in conjunction with PicoScope 4000 automotive oscilloscopes to provide real-time diagnostic information such as bar graphs and frequency charts.  The Kit comes complete with everything needed for finding and pinpointing these kinds of issues.  The ability to start data recording before a road test, and play back the recording for later analysis insures that driver attention remains on the road. 

PicoDiagnostics NVH Kit provides a breakthrough in accurate analysis of vehicle noise, vibration and harshness problems. Taking advantage of the power and large display of a laptop with the data-gathering power of the PicoScope, the NVH Kit can directly check sensors, components, noise, and vibrations, with additional help in capturing and diagnosing intermittent and performance problems.

The PicoDiagnostics NVH system provides clear advice, analysis and procedures for dynamic driveline balancing, and it includes attachment support for pinion flange, single weight, and hose clamp methods. Step-by-step procedures are prompted by help and graphical displays. Simple bar charts and graphs provide results for quick diagnosis and ease of use. Full analysis and advanced features (including waterfall and spectral displays) are also provided by the software.

The NVH Kit has been designed for comprehensive road testing, workshop diagnosis, and driveline balancing.  It detects and isolates multiple vibrations and noises, providing help and advice on causes and fixes. It can use a J2534-compliant interface to acquire engine speed data or signal input, useful for diagnosing older or non-compliant vehicles. The software includes a customer report function to help in explaining the diagnosis and repair.  The PicoDiagnostics® NVH 3-Axis Kit (PP986) comes complete with an accelerometer, the PicoScope Interface, a BNC cable, a microphone, and all necessary leads. A 4-Axis version (PP987) includes an extra accelerometer.

These NVH Kits are made by Pico Technology, Europe’s award-winning automobile oscilloscope adapter manufacturer, whose products are chosen by car manufacturers and repair centers worldwide.  The PicoDiagnostics® NVH Kits 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/2xbryMt