Test and Measurement Instruments Industry Steps forward..

Discussing the top test and measurement instruments trends and key product technologies that will influence the market growth…

The electronic test equipment (testgear) industry is blossoming and expanding as never before. No longer limited to the production of such mainstays as ammeters, multi-meters, ohmmeters, and voltmeters, the industry now includes a wide array of products.

General Purpose Electronic Test and Measurement Instruments

Multimeters, Logic Analyzers, Signal Generators (Radio Frequency Signal Generators, Microwave Signal Generators, & Arbitrary Waveform Generators), Oscilloscopes (Digital Oscilloscopes, Analog Oscilloscopes, & PC-Based Oscilloscopes), Spectrum Analyzers, Network Analyzers, Extension-Based, and Others.

End Use Industries

Communications, Aerospace & Military/Defense, Electronics Manufacturing, Industrial Electronics and Automotive, and Others

Today’s T&M Trends and Developments

As consumer electronics devices get smarter, their applications are migrating from the personal to the work environment. Using laptops – the same laptop – at home and in the place of work (and all points in between) is a fact of life. But are smart phones and tablets taking this to a level that could change the way in which engineers interact with their working world? Not only will people expect to control their heating, TVs and entertainment, cooking et al with their consumer devices, they will also expect to do this at work as well.

Megatrends such as connected living, big data, smart cities and wearable computing will drive the future of the communications test equipment market, according to Frost & Sullivan, as software technologies and connectivity become more pervasive and a digitalized world becomes inevitable and the complexity of smart devices, networks and applications create the need for customized testing and monitoring solutions.

Buying an instrument used to be straightforward, in as much you specified what you wanted and then found equipment to meet that specification. Obviously, this defines the limitations of what that instrument can be used for, but T&M companies over more recent years have introduced ways to make their instruments both more affordable and more flexible.

Instruments therefore became upgradeable, or scalable, to keep initial outlay to a minimum, while maximising the potential applications for that instrument.

Speedy Growth of low-cost, portable, and PC-driven instruments

A new market for test instruments is being created by the separation of an instrument’s processing/control and measurement modules. With the accelerated performance of personal computers, it also has proven viable to create PC-driven instruments that interface through high-speed and common platform-interface technologies.

Until recently, there were several technological barriers to using PC-driven techniques for high-performance test-and-measurement instruments. One such restriction was the inability to rapidly transfer data through a common interface platform from a sensor to a PC. Here, speeds had to be fast enough to provide adequate fidelity. Additionally, CPU processing speeds, physical memory, and random-access memory (RAM) were not up to the speed or capacity challenge of handling professional-grade instrument data output. These factors would lead to a large bottleneck as attempts were made to handle the data from the instruments.

To solve many of these limitations with current hardware would require a proprietary interface technology and a specialized workhorse of a computer, mitigating the benefits of a PC-driven computer. In 2008, the USB-IF released USB 3.0, an update to the USB standard that enabled raw data rates of 5.0 Gbps and 900 mA of simultaneous power draw. The PC world adopted USB 3.0 as the standard for the latest computers, laptops, and even several tablet computers. The low costs and high data capabilities associated with USB have supported the emergence of a variety of different applications.

Portable and low-power processing, memory, and storage have all advanced, thanks to the growing demand for portable computers and the Internet-of-Things (IoT) connected environment. Meanwhile, higher-performance and smaller, solid-state memories and CMOS microelectronics have reduced both their size and power draw on computers. In fact, many of the latest laptops/tablets have nearly desktop-equivalent processing capability. The portability of heavy processing has enabled convenient on-site programing, processing, and data storage for large amounts of complex sensor data.

The benefits of PC-driven test-and-measurement instruments, such as cost, portability, and rich software potential, are attractive enough to encourage early technology innovators. Yet new techniques must be used to shrink the footprint of such high-performance electronics with a limited power budget and the necessary ruggedization.

New Phase of Test

The world is increasingly software oriented, and the way we interact with devices is changing. Smartphones, set top boxes and even automobiles are now defined by their embedded software. With this evolution, we are challenged to keep up with the pace of innovation and the resulting complexities.

Two decades ago, testing a phone meant getting a signal. Today, the design, test and production of a mobile device involves an entire ecosystem of functionality, applications and technology, resulting in a necessarily different approach to test.

Building a test system to solve today’s challenges is no longer a simple problem. Instead, it requires evaluation of expanding test requirements and an architecture that can last over time. It’s important to choose a platform that can harness the technology curve while enabling abstraction and integration.

Devices under test (DUTs) are moving away from single purpose, hardware centric entities with limited capability to multipurpose, software-centric entities with endless capability. Why shouldn’t your test system evolve in the same way? Making the switch from traditional instruments with vendor defined functionality to a software defined architecture, allows user defined measurements and analysis in real time.

You can even extend this flexibility through the deployment of algorithms to an onboard FPGA for increased instrument performance. With a software defined approach, the commercial off the shelf (COTS) technology powering the latest DUTs can power your test system in the same way – optimising your test architecture for years to come.

This transition under way in mobile devices offers insight into an important trend for test and measurement: the power of the software centric ecosystem. Early mobile telephones were built to make calls first and, later, to send text messages, but the capabilities were defined almost completely by the vendor.

Once the software on these devices was opened up, extended capabilities – ranging from music players to cameras to email – followed quickly. But the effectiveness of the transition was more than just an open software experience. Apple, and later Google, built robust ecosystems around their products and created a community of developers for ‘apps’ that accelerated usefulness.

The inherent openness and community concept, arguably, could have been fostered by traditional mobile phone providers themselves, but it was Apple and Google who shifted the focus from hardware devices to software environments, developing and deploying mobile OSs, as well as hardware to leverage them. By exposing an appropriate level of customisation to users and third party developers, they succeeded in changing fundamentally the way consumers view their mobile phones.

This same concept is now making an impact on test and measurement. Communities of developers and integrators, building on standard software platforms, are using commercial off the shelf (COTS) technology to extend the functionality of complex hardware into applications previously impossible. The level of productivity and collaboration delivered by software centric ecosystems will have a profound effect on test system design over the next three to five years.

Industry Viewpoints

While discussing with Mr. Madhukar Tripathi of Anritsu, he insights the important trends such as, “Mobile Network Operators (MNO): Managed Services concept is in demand and trend. Most of MNO are using this trend for IT, network related services besides other non-technical services. T&M on rent is other popular trend in seen for last 2-3 years. T&M on rent is good choice for shorter projects/ requirement while buying new T&M is value for longer use. Support of multiple technologies like GSM, CDMA, WiMAX, WCDMA, LTE or WiFion single plateform is in demand from industry for T&M industry. Site sharing is other trend which helps to achieve lower CAPEX and OPEX. All in one Box for production testing is other demanding product which saves space,time and cost during production. Field instrument are more rugged now and they support multiple interface and technology, so that engineer do not need to carry multiple instrument.

According to him, “LTE, Cloud Computing, WiFi off load, WLAN, Green telecom, M2M, Connected life style, research toward 5G race are top trends for 2015”.

Speaking on trends, Mr. Naresh Narasimhan of Tektronix India says,” The engineering test and measurement equipment market is expected to witness a CAGR of 24.5% by end of 2015. Some of the major market drivers include the increasing demand for electronic products and the rising need for test and measurement equipment for use in semiconductor devices. The high cost of production and increasing competition among vendors are some of the major challenges faced by the market”.

He adds, “One of the emerging trends in the Global Test and Measurement Equipment market is the miniaturization of test and measurement equipment. Miniaturized test and measurement equipment are flexible and easy to use. The fast growth of the market in the Electronics industry is leading to the development of small-sized electronic devices for which miniaturized test and measurement equipment are required. For instance, the test and measurement equipment used in consumer electronics and other minute components need to be very small in size. Hence, the vendors are moving toward the trend of miniaturization”.

According to Mr. Rajesh Suresh Joshi, Director, Dynalog Didactic Solutions Pvt Ltd., “The Indian growth story is giving new dimensions to every allied segment requirements. The Telecom, Defence, Automotive, Electronics Manufacturing, Aaerospace, Consumer Electronics, contract-manufacturing, R&D, etc have seen increased allocations in the area of product design / testing / Quality of Service improvement. T&M is a derivative market capitalising on success of above & plays an important role in every phase of the product life cycle. One of the key beneficiaries of the growth in the Indian industry is Education sector that needs to adept to new technologies & brace themselves for the next level. These all have resulted in the spurt in requirements for T&M instruments”.

Speaking on developments in the industry, he says, “There is vast impact of technological changes in T&M instruments by virtue of size, display technology, resolution, measuring frequencies & other features under test/measurement. Integration of more & more test / measurement capabilities in single unit to simplify test process is outcome of such advancement. Advancement in digital convergence have made it possible to monitor & control T&M instruments remotely too. Technological advancement in every related feature shall have an impact on this industry. We need to have close watch on future trends & brace ourselves with frequent Changes. We feel the thrust on digital convergence would have larger impact on future T&M products”.

Mr. Rajesh adds Dynalog DYNAXACT features as India’ most trusted brand

Dynalog has always anticipated tomorrow’s challenges today & have taken performance to the next level. Following this philosophy, Dynalog had launched DYNAXACT series of Test & Measurement Equipments aimed at the educational market and industrial applications. This marked entry of India’s most trusted automation brands into TMI segment.

The DYNAXACT range of products includes Digital Storage Oscilloscope, Hand Held Oscilloscopes, Mixed Function Oscilloscopes, Spectrum Analysers, Function Generators, Programmable Power Supply & various types of Multi-meters.

Dynalog Didactic Solutions – the new education focused division of Dynalog Group – will carry this legacy forward with value & technological additions that will enrich the evolving educational ecosystem.

Rental – an Attractive Alternative to keep pace with Latest Demand

According to Mr. Shailendra Kalra of Livingston India,” Test equipment rental is now seeing considerable traction across India, given the rapid acceleration of the technology sector here. As a result we see a lot of potential for further growth during 2015. Next generation technologies are emerging rapidly and new industry standards are being adopted. This means that key test requirements are continuing to evolve. With everything in a constant state of flux, there is a risk that purchased equipment will quickly become outdated and effectively made redundant. Rental therefore presents an attractive alternative to direct purchase, as the customer is not tied down to any item of equipment long term – they can change it as their test requirements change.

Highlighting trends – he says, ”Deployment of Fibre to the Home (FTTH) is becoming more widespread across Europe and here in India the fibre market is also growing at pace. In response to this we are investing heavily in advanced optical equipment, such as OTDRs, so that we can meet the needs of our customer base as this particular market develops further. In addition, the rollout of next generation mobile networks is calling for employment of new types of instrumentation. For example, GPS antenna alignment tools are becoming a key part of mobile site installation. Through this operators can ensure there are no holes in network coverage, around the borders between cells, due to antennas being badly positioned. This means that network quality is upheld and prevents drop calls occurring that will frustrate subscribers.”

Speaking on key drivers, he adds, ”The principle driver that we see characterising the current Indian market is demand for higher quality equipment. People are becoming more aware that the test hardware they use must be serviced and recalibrated on a regular basis. They are moving away from older, less well looked after equipment and looking to gain access to up to date models via rental. As well as the financial advantages that rental offers when it comes to sourcing quality equipment, there are logistical advantages too. Procedures in place so that equipment is available to cover the items being repaired, thereby safeguarding against loss of revenue through equipment downtime. In India the need to get sophisticated test equipment from a reliable and dependable source is greater now than ever. As a result rental companies that have good quality equipment, flexible rental options and an expansive portfolio of products will be well positioned to capitalise on the opportunities that lie ahead in the coming year”.

Key drivers mentioned by Mr. Madhukar Tripathi of Anritsu, “Government push for Make in India, new manufacturing establishment (SEZ), new spectrum auction, broadband for all, Information highways (building backbone network for high speed data usages), Upgradation of existing telecom network and roll out of LTE technology, local application content on smartphone are key drivers. Government planning to test all imported telecom gear. EMF Radiation measurement is other demand in T&M industry. Transport technology is updating to 100G from 1G/10G”.

He adds, “Anritsu has been providing Telecom Test and Measurement solution to Indian market since long. We were biggest Optical T&M supplies to BSNL during initial fiber deployment phase in India. Anritsu products are known for its quality and high reliability in India. Anritsu works closely with all stakeholders in telecom eco system and preferred T&M partner. Our customer profile include telecom, education, defence, broadcast from R&D to production to network installation and maintenance”.

Mr. Naresh Narasimhan, Country Marketing Manager, Tektronix India

Currently, we are the only major supplier of test and measurement instrumentation offering a USB spectrum analyzer. Other suppliers do offer a faceless instrument, but still include a PC within the instrument.

 

 

 

Mr. Madhukar Tripathi, Regional Manager, Anritsu India Pvt. Ltd.

Anritsu see India as growing market during 2015. Mobile operators are adding more subscribers every month. India is seen as second largest smartphone market globally. Government sector will also see growth of telecom industry- NOFN, Broadband for all, Make in India, Digital divide- e governance, e health etc are good sign for growth in India market.

 

Mr. Shailendra Kalra, Managing Director, Livingston India

In India the need to get sophisticated test equipment from a reliable and dependable source is greater now than ever.

 

Mr. Rajesh Suresh Joshi, Director, Dynalog Didactic Solutions Pvt Ltd.

We feel the thrust on digital convergence would have larger impact on future T&M products.

 

Throwback…Best of 2014

The Keysight spin-off was one of the biggest to shape the test and measurement industry in 2014, as technological steps forward, as well as increasing numbers of wirelessly connected devices that require testing, drive the industry. Among other notable company changes this year: JDSU also announced a split in its business, to be completed this year; while Anite sold its small travel-focused segment to become a pure-play test and measurement company.

Based on its recent analysis of the instrumentation software market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Keysight Technologies Inc. with the 2014 Global Frost & Sullivan Award for Market Leadership for excellence in capturing the highest market revenue within its industry. Keysight has increasingly focused on software development to better integrate hardware and software in its test equipment. In 2013, the company generated $300 million from software that included electronic design automation, application and manufacturing test solutions.

Keysight’s unrivalled software lineup has enabled it to offer superior customer satisfaction across the global electronic test equipment market. It has showcased its strong technological skills with its Keysight EEsof Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software, which delivers unmatched operational product excellence without straining customers’ budgets.

In year 2014 we witnessed introduction of the great products from some key manufacturers that will reshape the test and measurement industry.

Here are 2 breakthroughs from Tektronix:

a) In February 2014, Tektronix had announced industry’s first six-in-one MDO3000 Series of Mixed Domain Oscilloscopes. The ultimate integrated oscilloscope that includes a spectrum analyzer, logic analyzer, protocol analyzer, arbitrary function generator and digital voltmeter, the MDO3000 clears the design bench of costly, specialized equipment and provides the tools needed to test and debug virtually any embedded design. In addition, Tektronix has developed the MDO3000 to be completely customizable enabling customers to select the functionality and performance needed now and later.

b) In November 2014, Tektronix has introduced a new class of affordable spectrum analyzers- Tektronix RSA306 based on a USB architecture with a list price of just INR 2,58,000.00. The new RSA306 sets a new price/performance threshold for spectrum analyzers and features a broad 9 kHz to 6.2 GHz frequency range, 40 MHz real time bandwidth and weighs in at just 1.2 pounds. When used with Tektronix SignalVu-PC software, it offers advanced analysis capabilities for such applications as budget-conscious research and development, mobile radio network installation, interference hunting and university level lab classes.

Anritsu New VNA Architecture Transforms Test Performance

Vector network analyzers (VNAs) have been used for passive device testing for decades. Many applications require high-priced, high-performance, and full-featured VNA solutions while others only necessitate simple S-parameter and time domain measurements at the lowest possible cost. Unfortunately, engineers in these latter environments have had to use high-priced, full-featured VNAs, because there were no alternatives. In today’s highly competitive world where low cost-of-test and quick time to market are necessities, the added – and unnecessary – cost and complexity associated with these high-end VNAs are unacceptable in many engineering, manufacturing and education environments.

Anritsu changed the way VNAs were viewed by removing the conventional limitations engineers had long accepted.

Anritsu introduced 3 variants of new line of Shockline VNA family that meets the need for economical VNAs used with manufacturing applications where cost-of-test is primary issue.

NI Reshapes Instrumentation With Software-Based, All-In-One Device

National Instruments is the latest company to put its spin on the concept of a multi-domain testing device with its introduction of VirtualBench, which integrates five instruments into an all-in-one device. VirtualBench, which is based on NI’s software-based approach to test and measurement, incorporates a mixed-signal oscilloscope, function generator, digital multi-meter, programmable PC power supply and digital I/O. The system interacts with users through software applications running on a PC or iPad.

NI LabVIEW Communications System Design Suite Revolutionizes Wireless Prototyping for Software Defined Radio

LabVIEW Communications System Design Suite, which combines software defined radio (SDR) hardware with a comprehensive software design flow to help engineers prototype 5G systems.

Wireless prototyping was previously undertaken by separate design teams using disparate design tools. The LabVIEW Communications environment enables the entire design team to map an idea from algorithm to FPGA using a single high-level representation. This approach empowers designers to focus on innovation instead of implementation, which increases the rate and quality of their prototyping.