Abstract: Apparatus to exercise electrical motor drivers by electrically simulating a geared electric or electrical motor by providing an electronic load for the power signals that are applied to it. Current levels in the load are monitored in real-time using gate array logic and digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms to determine torque, acceleration, velocity and/or position data of the motor and gear train. Motor and gear train positional signals are generated and fed back to the motor driver device to close the servo loop. Control algorithms within the gate array and DSP accurately simulate the motor inertia and act to simulate a physical motor under varying load conditions. A control interface modifies critical motor parameters such as inertia, losses, gear ratio, and loading.

Abstract: Very low phase noise radio frequency (RF) source having multiple discrete frequency outputs used, for example, to calibrate phase noise measurement systems. The calibrator output frequencies can be tailored for a particular application using a scalable architecture.

Abstract: Video processing arrangement including a host computer having a monitor, a video asset coupled to the computer for generating video signals and an interface for connecting the video asset to the computer to enable the display of video signals on the monitor. The video asset includes various primary elements including a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal via output channels, a stroke generator module for generating a stroke XYZ video signal and outputting the stroke video signal via output channels and a real time capture module for capturing video signals in a plurality of different modes. The video asset also includes a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of the primary elements.

Abstract: Programmable video generation and analyzer including a video asset for generating video signals having a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal via output channels, and a secondary video source module for producing a secondary composite video signal and outputting the secondary composite video signal via output channels. The secondary video source module produces the secondary composite video signal in an identical or different format than the primary video signal and different than the primary video signal. An NTSC/PAL converter is included, for example, as part of the secondary video source module, for generating video in NTSC format and PAL format. The NTSC/PAL converter accepts a stream of data from the primary composite video module and the secondary video source module and converts it into Composite Baseband Video, Y/Pr/Pb Component Video, Y/C Video (S_Video) or RGB Video.

Abstract: A distributed test system for implementing enhanced BIT (Built-In-Test) within an ESM (Electronic Surveillance Monitoring) or RF receiver system. The distributed test system includes a system processor, a programmable RF source element or other comparable test signal generating arrangement, and switched path coupled elements and various measurement elements, each embedded at strategic locations within the ESM system so as to effect maximum path coverage and test benefit.

Abstract: Method for enabling use of the same, existing test programs for both an obsolete and new waveform digitizer, each having an analog input interface and a digital output interface, entails providing an automatic test equipment for hosting test programs for using a waveform digitizer, and determining scalers and low voltage monolithic analog-to-digital converters to couple to the analog input interface and digital output interface of the new waveform digitizer. As such, the new waveform digitizer provides the same function, or has the same functionality as, as the obsolete waveform digitizer, and the same, existing test programs can be used for the new waveform digitizer as were used for the obsolete waveform digitizer.

Abstract: Electronic test system including hardware and software components and method of use of same which provide obsolescence mitigation. A set of governing rules for the system is defined and a test program test (TPS) is created to enable units to be tested. When a new component is introduced into the system, the change is detected and a new TPS is created. If the new TPS complies with the rules, testing using the new TPS is possible. If not, a determination is made as to whether any component of the TPS is obsolete and if not, the units can be tested using the new TPS without redefining the rules. When a component of the TPS is obsolete, the rules are reviewed to ascertain the effect of the removal of the component and optionally redefined to enable the new component to be used in combination with the remaining components.

Abstract: Video selection display unit that is capable of routing real-time output signals having a video component from different video signal sources, e.g., different instruments or home entertainment devices, to a single output for display on a monitor or other type of video display. The video selection display unit may be part of an automatic test system or home entertainment system. Control of the video selection display unit can be effected locally via a user interface, such as one or more pushbuttons, and/or remotely over a network which may be the same network used for communication with the instruments or devices or using an infrared remote control unit.

Abstract: Re-configurable electrical connector including a pair of endcaps, a pair of elongate rails, each removably attached at one end to one of the endcaps, and connector modules arranged between the endcaps and including one or more male or female connecting members adapted to electrically connect at a first end to one electrical component or part thereof and at a second, opposite end to another electrical component or part thereof. The connector modules are individual modules in the sense that they are separated from one another. When the rails are detached from the endcaps, each connector module can be moved relative to the rails, i.e., slid off of the end of the rails, to enable different configurations of connector modules to be positioned between the endcaps.

Abstract: Video processing arrangement including a host computer having a monitor, a video asset coupled to the computer for generating video signals and an interface for connecting the video asset to the computer to enable the display of video signals on the monitor. The video asset includes various primary elements including a primary composite video module for producing different types of a primary video signal and outputting the primary video signal via output channels, a stroke generator module for generating a stroke XYZ video signal and outputting the stroke video signal via output channels and a real time capture module for capturing video signals in a plurality of different modes. The video asset also includes a common distributed time base module for generating and distributing clock signals to all of the primary elements.

Abstract: Method for replacing Electron Bombarded Semiconductor (EBS) tubes in a waveform digitizer having an analog input interface and a digital output interface, the EBS tubes being interposed between the analog input interface and the digital output interface, in which the EBS tubes and associated circuitry and componentry between the analog input interface and the digital output interface are removed, scalers and low voltage monolithic analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are coupled to the analog input interface and the digital output interface. The ADCs may be mounted on a printed circuit board. The ADCs and associated circuitry may be designed to provide on-chip calibration and a built-in testing ability.

Abstract: Re-configurable electrical connector including a pair of endcaps, a pair of elongate rails, each removably attached at one end to one of the endcaps, and connector modules arranged between the endcaps and including one or more male or female connecting members adapted to electrically connect at a first end to one electrical component or part thereof and at a second, opposite end to another electrical component or part thereof. The connector modules are individual modules in the sense that they are separated from one another. When the rails are detached from the endcaps, each connector module can be moved relative to the rails, i.e., slid off of the end of the rails, to enable different configurations of connector modules to be positioned between the endcaps.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for capturing and automatically formatting video signals in both synchronized and deflection driven forms in which a single real-time capture module is provided including three input channels for receiving the video signals, three analog to digital converters for processing the video signals and three dynamic memories. Data from the converters is stored in the three dynamic memories. A line location look-up table is generated during the storage of data which holds the starting address of the stored lines of synchronized video. A video signal is then generated by addressing the line location look-up table.

Abstract: Method for controlling stroke video generation components by creating a program to command the video generation components to provide video signals and integrating high level software constructs into the program. Integration of the high level software constructs into the program may entail integrating a GOTO command to enable repetition of a section of the program and repetition of a display sequence provided by implementation of that section, integrating a GOSUB and RETURN command to enable multiple use of a single section of the program at different locations within the program, integrating a conditional command to enable one portion of the program to be implemented when the condition is satisfied and another portion to be implemented when the condition is not satisfied, and/or integrating a DO-WHILE loop to enable repetition of a section of the program when a condition is satisfied and continuation of the program when the condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: Portable automatic video device tester including a programmable video generator and analyzer, a signal conditioner/switching device, a command module, a portable computer (laptop) with an integral monitor and a portable VXI chassis for housing the video generator and analyzer, the signal conditioner/switching device and the command module. The programmable video generator and analyzer is connected to one or more video devices being tested and includes a generating mechanism for generating various forms of video test signals. The signal conditioner/switching device is also arranged in connection with the chassis and adapted to be connected to one or more of the video devices being tested. The computer communicates with the video generator and analyzer and the signal conditioner/switching device via the command module in order to conduct test operations and enable display of test results on the monitor.

Abstract: System for testing attenuators by a flatness and standing wave ratio tests which includes a vector network analyzer (VNA) adapted to be coupled to a device under test (DUT) and which provides an input stimulus signal for the DUT and, when certain conditions are satisfied, receives an output signal from the DUT, and a calibration receiver adapted to be coupled to the DUT via a down-converter. When certain conditions are satisfied, the output signal from the DUT is sent to the calibration receiver (through the down-converter to be possibly modified thereby depending on the testing frequency). A signal generator provides a local oscillator (LO) signal for the down-converter. A control unit is connected to the instruments and embodies software which analyzes the testing conditions, i.e., the attenuator value being tested, and selects whether the network analyzer or the calibration receiver will measure the output signal from the DUT.

Abstract: A phase noise measurement method including a low noise programmable synthesizer and a receiver/down converter is provided. The low noise synthesizer provides L-Band Signals which can selectively exhibit low noise close-in or low noise far out. The receiver/down converter provides for absolute, additive, and down converted/direct/multiple phase noise measurement.

Abstract: A method for generating a waveform at a particular frequency in which a segment RAM depth is determined based on the relationship between the frequency and a variable clock value, a RAM based memory system is provided with waveform information, and the waveform is sequentially generated from a combination of the waveform information in the RAM based memory system from a first memory site to a memory site dependent on the segment RAM depth. The generated waveform is filtered to obtain only the waveform at the desired frequency. The RAM based memory system is provided with the waveform information by dividing each desired waveform into segments depending on the clock value and storing each segment in a respective memory site. An analog to digital converter may be evaluated by directing the desired waveform to the analog to digital converter. The generated waveform is tuned in the filter to a center frequency if it is a sinewave or a tuned squarewave.

Abstract: A method for producing a static composite video signal, e.g., for delivery to a unit under test (UUT), in which a prime image memory (PIM 28) holding a main bit mapped image is provided, sync and blanking patterns for lines of the video signal being generated are held in a composite sync memory (C-Sync 32), and a series of arbitrary bit line patterns defined in a test program are held in two user specified pulse memories (USPs 36,38). Data blocks are arranged in a circular queue in a line parameter memory (LPM 40), each data block corresponding to a complete video line and containing pointers to specific entries in the PIM (28), the C-Sync (32) and the USPs (36,38) and a flag indicative of scan direction. Production of the video signal is initiated by reading the LPM (40)and extracting the pointers from the data blocks for a first line of the video signal being produced.

Abstract: A phase noise measurement system including a low noise programmable synthesizer and a receiver/down converter is provided. The low noise synthesizer provides L-Band Signals which can selectively exhibit low noise close-in or low noise far out. The receiver down converter provides for absolute, additive, and down converted/direct/multiple phase noise measurement.