Focus on software, data acquisition, and instrumentation

Multiphysics circuit simulation

Comsol has announced advances in its Multiphysics software to support microwave and RF users working on 5G, internet of things, automotive radar systems, and satellite communications. Designers can model printed circuit-board materials and study how they affect the performance of microwave and millimeter-wave circuits. Connectors and low-loss materials are key components of electronic devices and systems, and they must work reliably in circuits that transmit and receive information. Comsol Multiphysics users can couple electromagnetic simulations with heat transfer, structural mechanics, fluid flow, and other physical phenomena to represent real-world physics effects. They can accurately investigate designs and benefit from the virtual prototyping capabilities that multiphysics simulation offers. Comsol Inc, 100 District Ave, Burlington, MA 01803, www.comsol.com

Mathematical programming software

MathWorks has introduced version 2019b of its MATLAB and Simulink software. New features include training resources for event-based modeling and support for artificial intelligence and robotics. MATLAB’s Live Editor Tasks allow users to interactively explore parameters, preprocess data, and generate MATLAB code that becomes part of the live script. A new Simulink Toolstrip helps them discover and access capabilities as needed. To help users train advanced network architectures, the Deep Learning Toolbox provides such features as custom training loops, automatic differentiation, shared weights, and custom loss functions. The Automated Driving Toolbox delivers support for 3D simulation in the automotive industry, including the ability to develop, test, and verify driving algorithms. The MathWorks Inc, 1 Apple Hill Dr, Natick, MA 01760-2098, www.mathworks.com

Multiphysics simulation software

Tech-X has released VSim 10, the latest version of its flexible multiphysics simulation software tool. VSim is designed to run computationally intensive electromagnetic, electrostatic, and plasma simulations for complex materials used on systems ranging from laptops to supercomputing clusters. To simulate complex geometries, it uses finite-difference time-domain methods with structured orthogonal meshes that feature cut-cell boundaries. Geometries can be imported from computer-aided-design models or constructed in the VSimComposer graphical user interface. Maxwell’s equations are solved in the presence of charged particles using particle-in-cell and charged-fluid methods. VSim comes with prebuilt examples to help users get started in simulation. Among the enhancements in VSim 10 are improved electromagnetics example simulations, a new Drude–Lorentz MIM waveguide, and new example simulations of microwave devices and plasma discharges. Tech-X Corporation, 5621 Arapahoe Ave, Ste A, Boulder, CO 80303, www.txcorp.com

Data analysis and graphing software

Version 2019b of OriginLab’s data analysis and graphing software, Origin and OriginPro, adds more than 75 new features, apps, and improvements. HTML Reports lets users choose either Markdown or HTML syntax to create custom reports that include graphs, analysis results, and metadata information. Reports can be embedded into a workbook for use as a template for batch analysis. Data Connector standardizes the process of developing tools for importing data into Origin from Web and local files. The file source and data selection details are saved in the worksheet; data can be cleared and reimported as needed. New graph types include split heat-map plots, rug plots, and heat-map plots from XY and XYZ data. Among the new apps are Speedy Fit, Quantile Regression, Hysteresis, and 2D Correlation. OriginLab Corporation, One Roundhouse Plaza, Ste 303, Northampton, MA 01060, www.originlab.com

Micro gas chromatograph

Agilent designed its 990 Micro GC system to monitor the safe distribution, energy content, and odorant level of natural gas. According to the company, the micro gas chromatograph’s plug-and-play architecture and smart-connected user-assist functions make it easy to install, use, and troubleshoot, and the transportable system delivers laboratory-quality data. The compact, rugged 990 Micro GC is housed in a new modular platform. Its battery life is double that of previous models and provides more than eight hours of remote operation. An optional mobile browser interface allows remote connectivity with mobile devices such as laptops and tablets and facilitates hands-free, unattended operation in places that are difficult or unsafe for humans to access. Agilent Technologies Inc, 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara, CA 95051, www.agilent.com

Multichannel arbitrary waveform generators

The DN6.65x series of generatorNETBOX instruments from Spectrum Instrumentation can produce multiple electronic test signals simultaneously. The arbitrary waveform generators (AWGs) offer 24 to 48 synchronous channels. According to the company, such a high channel count sets a new standard for AWGs—most conventional products only offer one, two, or four channels—and delivers a low cost per channel. Suitable for multichannel automated-testing applications, the eight variants in the series can be controlled remotely through a simple Ethernet connection to a PC or local area network. They are easy to integrate into almost any test system. The units feature 16-bit digital-to-analog converter technology and low-noise flexible outputs. They can generate almost any test signal in the DC to 60 MHz frequency range. Spectrum Instrumentation Corp, 401 Hackensack Ave, 4th Floor, Hackensack, NJ 07601, https://spectrum-instrumentation.com

Software for double-pulse testing

Tektronix has made available a software plugin that allows rapid double-pulse testing for its AFG31000 arbitrary function generator. The software enables users to measure and evaluate the switching parameters of power devices made from wide-bandgap silicon carbide and gallium nitride materials. Users can define pulse parameters from a single window on the AFG31000’s large touch-screen display and generate the pulses needed for testing in less than a minute. According to the company, that represents a significant time savings compared with alternative methods. The application offers impedance adjustment of pulse width, which can range from 20 ns to 150 µs, and the time gap between each pulse, up to 30 pulses. Users can download the AFG31000 double-pulse-test software free of charge from the company website. Tektronix Inc, 14150 SW Karl Braun Dr, PO Box 500, Beaverton, OR 97077, www.tek.com

Wideband millimeter-wave measurement

Keysight has launched the first single-box, multichannel solution for wideband millimeter-wave measurements. Due to new functionality, the company’s UXR oscilloscope series delivers fast, coherent analysis for wideband measurements up to 110 GHz, which could accelerate the development of next-generation millimeter-wave and satellite communications, and radar applications. The oscilloscopes offer unique bandwidth pricing: Rather than purchase the full frequency range supported by the oscilloscope hardware, users can buy just the analysis bandwidth needed. Limited only by the hardware’s maximum-supported frequency range, users can also configure optional 5 GHz or 10 GHz analysis bandwidth windows within and above the UXR’s natively licensed bandwidth. Keysight Technologies Inc, 1400 Fountaingrove Pkwy, Santa Rosa, CA 95403-1738, www.keysight.com