Fullscreen HTML5Med Res (??MB)HTML4

PRODUCT SHOWCASE Tektronix TSG95 Pathfinder PAL/NTSC signal generator In the past, Tektronix has been renowned for its tele­vision test equipment intended for use in broadcast stations but it has had little to offer TV maintenance and installation tech­nicians. Now, in a significant move, it has produced the TSG95 Pathfinder, a complete PAL/NTSC signal generator. The TSG95 is a handheld instrument with a two-line liquid crystal display and it can be powered from internal batteries or an external mains 12V plugpack. The generator’s outputs are 1V composite video via a BNC socket and audio left and right channels via 3-pin XLR sock­ets. For PAL, 20 different signals can be selected and for NTSC, 16 signals. For PAL, the available signals include the following: 75% & 100% colour bars, 75% & 100% bars over red, red, blue and green fields, multiburst, 5-step gray scale and conver­ gence (crosshatch). For NTSC, the available signals include: SMPTE bars, multi­burst, NTC7 composite and combination, 5-step gray scale, FCC composite and black burst. The available audio signals comprise 13 tones from 50Hz to 20kHz or a sweep signal selectable from the tone menu. Three tone levels are available (0, +4dBu & 8dBu) and an audio click sequence can be selected as an aid in identifying the left and right channels in an installation. A unique feature is character ID. Up to eight messages, each containing two 16-character lines, may be stored for later re­call. One message may be inserted into the video test signal and up to four may be cycled into the test signal in a continuous loop (displaying each message for 1-9 seconds). Creating the ID is simply a matter of typing it in using the alpha- These are two of the PAL TV patterns available. At left is the convergence (crosshatch) pattern, while at right is the 86  Silicon Chip numeric keypad; there is no need to scroll through the alphabet for each character. We’ve used the instrument and found that it works well and would 100% bars over red pattern. Note that the TSG95 identifier can be turned off if necessary. be just the ticket for anyone with a need for a selection of TV patterns and audio signals from a small handheld instru­ment. Our sample test pattern photos include the TSG95 identifier but this may be turned off if desired Fluke’s first autoranging DSO Fluke has introduced a digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) which features fully autoranging atten­ uators and timebase. The new PM3394A CombiScope oscilloscope is part of the CombiScope family of instruments that combine digital storage with an analog oscilloscope. The autoranging innovation is part of Fluke’s commitment to make test instruments easier to use. Fully autoranging attenua­tors and timebase enhance and may even supersede Autoset, a feature common on most oscilloscopes. Auto­ set operates only once when the corresponding button is pressed, while autoranging operates continuously on both the attenuators and timebase to maintain an optimal signal display even when the signal changes. A TM5320 digital signal processor running at 40MHz ensures that the PM3394A has an almost instantaneous response to signal changes. The PM3394A has three processors dedicated to different instrument functions. This means that mathematics and autoranging features, for example, do not slow down other parameters, such as the response to changes in control panel settings. Probing a circuit with the new PM3394A is easier than ever before. During troubleshooting, the – just one of the many selections available. The Tektronix TSG95 Pathfinder is priced at $1595 plus sales tax. For further information, contact Tektronix toll free on (008) 02 3342. user can probe test points while concentrating on the circuit and not on the operation of the scope. The PM3394A allows the user to keep both hands on the work without reaching for the attenuator or timebase controls every time an adjustment is necessary. Autoranging works simultaneously on more than one channel. Input and output signals are continuously tracked and displayed on screen. A special windows display mode ensures that traces remain in an allocated screen area. This gives a clear non-overlapping view of each trace while maintaining high vertical resolution for detailed measurement results. The autoranging time­­ base has two modes of operation: the traditional 1-2-5 step mode and the variable timebase mode, which maintains the same num­ ber of signal periods on screen. This is achiev­ed by a variable sample clock, not just a rescaling of the display. The new series consists of two 4-channel models with 100MHz and 200MHz bandwidths (PM­ 3384A and PM3394A), and two “2+2” channel models, again with 100MHz and 200MHz bandwidths (PM3382A and PM3392A). All models have a serial interface for hard copy and PC communications as standard. A GPIB/IEEE 488.2 interface can be specified as an option. The GPIB interface supports remote con­trol commands that conform to the new industry-standard SCPI protocols (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments). For further information, contact Philips Scientific & Industrial, 34 Waterloo Rd, North Ryde, NSW 2113. Phone (02) 888 8222. November 1994  87 Reference with low knee current GEC has a new range of 3.3V high-precision references that have a typical knee current as low as 15µA with a typical temperature coefficient of 15ppm/°C. Using a bandgap design, the SRC330 provides a stable 3.3V reference without the need for an external stabilising capacitor. The SRC330 has an operating temperature range of -40°C to 85°C, with a current range of 20µA to 5mA. The reference is available in a low profile SOT-23 surface mount package as well as standard 2-pin and 3-pin TO92 formats with a choice of tolerance rating of ±3, ±2 and ±1%. For further information, contact GEC Electronics Division, Unit 1, 38 South St, Rydalmere, NSW 2116. Phone (02) 638 1888. Versatile stereo mixer for discos Designed for mixing stereo sources together, this unit has been tailored to meet the needs of discos and dance K ALEX The UV People ETCH TANKS ● Bubble Etch ● Circulating LIGHT BOXES ● Portuvee 4 ● Portuvee 6 ● Dual Level TRIMMER ● Ideal PCB DRILL ● Toyo HiSpeed MATERIALS ● PC Board: Riston, Dynachem ● 3M Label/Panel Stock ● Dynamark: Metal, Plastic ✸ AUSTRALIA’S NO.1 STOCKIST ✸ K ALEX 40 Wallis Ave, East Ivanhoe 3079. Phone (03) 9497 3422, Fax (03) 9499 2381 88  Silicon Chip parties. There are four stereo inputs, three for phono or line inputs (switch­ able) and one which accepts signals from a tape deck or CD player (switchable). A 7-band graphic equaliser can be switched in to tailor the sound to suit the venue. The case is a standard 19-inch rack size so that it can be easily mounted in disco consoles or racks. Illuminated stereo VU meters monitor the output levels. Headphones can be used to individually monitor inputs while cueing up, before adding the input to the mix. A crossfader allows fading between any of the stereo inputs. There are two microphone inputs, one a local input with a talk-over switch that drops the music level while the DJ is talking. The front panel has a goose-neck mounting plate to make mic placement over the console easy. The second mic input has a low-cut switch to reduce the possibility of feedback into the microphone at high volume. Connections are made via the rear panel. Microphone inputs use 6.5mm phone sockets and the stereo inputs and outputs use RCA sockets. Finished in powder coated black enamel, the mixer re­tails for $379 (Cat AM-4216). For more information, contact the Jaycar Electronics store closest you. Radio telemetry with phone/fax phone based alterna­tives, especially in remote areas. For up-market applications, the range of USA-sourced Proxim 900MHz 242Kbits/s wireless modems has been expanded to include 2.4GHz 1.6M­bit/s units and a range of OEM card level products for engineering clients wishing to integrate spread spectrum technol­ogy into their systems. For further information, contact McLean Automation, PO Box 70, Freemans Reach, NSW 2756. Phone (045) 796 365. McLean Automation has continued to expand the telemetry side of their short haul, licence exempt, radio link technology. Their Australian sourced ‘Local Knowledge’ low-speed half-duplex wireless RS232 link now has the option of an inbuilt Austel approved phone/fax modem. This makes the units more suitable for tele­servicing and data logging applications where the host or remote systems are not within cabling distance of a PSTN outlet. The internal phone/ fax card means the system can be pro­ gramm­ ed to dial out reports from a remote radio-linked site to a fax mach­ine or E-mail equipp­ ed host. This integrated solution is a cost effective alternative to cellular Removable hard disc drives Teac have a new dual docking bay that fits into a standard 5.25-inch drive slot. The kit comes with one removable drive, with a second available as an option. Drive capacities vary from 250-540Mb, giving the docking bay a total capacity of 1.08Gb, with an IDE interface. Having a removable drive means that data can now be locked away at night. While in use, the drive can be locked into the docking bay, preventing unauthorised removal. Dual slots allow a second drive to be inserted to backup data in far less time than a tape backup. The second slot can also be used with multiple discs to provide mass storage for CAD and desktop publishing packages. A carrying case lined with foam is supplied to protect the drive while in transit. Data can thereby easily be transported without fear of damage. The removable drives have no exposed circuit boards and may be inserted or removed while the machine is still running. The driver software supplied with the kit takes care of the problems asso­ciated with the operating system finding out that the hard disc has been removed. For more information, contact Rick Stanford at Southend Data Storage, PO Box 25, Menai, NSW 2234. Phone (02) 541 1006. Yokogawa’s pocket DMM Yokogawa has released a new pocket-sized digital multimeter which has a 3200 count and bargraph display. The ultra compact size and one hand operation, along with data hold, auto ranging, auto power off and a high speed sampling (12 times/sec for bar­graph), makes this meter convenient and versatile. The battery compartment is easily accessible and it uses standard button cells. Measuring functions include DC & AC volts, resistance, continuity and diode test. For further information on the Model 7536 03 Pocket Digital Multimeter, contact Yokogawa Australia, 25 Paul St North, North Ryde, NSW 2113. Phone (02) 805 0699. November 1994  89