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ELECTRONIC DEVICE FAILURE ANALYSIS | VOLUME 19 NO. 2
44
PRODUCT NEWS
Larry Wagner, LWSN Consulting Inc.
PRESS RELEASE SUBMISSIONS:
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS UPGRADES
ALL-IN-ONE VIRTUALBENCH
National Instruments (Austin, Texas) announced the
VB-8054 instrument, a new higher-performance model
of VirtualBench. VirtualBench plays a key role in reducing
the cost and footprint of test and measurement systems
by consolidating five of the most commonly used instru-
ments into one device without compromising the per-
formance of each instrument. Combined with a modern
software experience and simple programming interface,
VirtualBench creates new efficiencies for engineers inter-
acting with benchtop test equipment or developing low-
cost automated test systems.
2 GS/s sampling rate and protocol analysis (34 digital
channels)
• Function generator with 40 MHz max sine output, 5
MHz square, ramp/triangle, direct current (dc) and
arbitrary modes
The VirtualBench family has the following additional
capabilities:
• True 5½ digital multimeter with 300 V input range,
three-channel programmable dc power supply (up to 3
A) and eight general-purpose digital input/output lines
• Intuitive, unified software view of all five instruments,
visualization on larger displays, andquick functionality
to save data and screenshots
• Universal serial bus (USB), ethernet, and WiFi connec-
tivity to Microsoft Windows software application and
WiFi connectivity to Apple iPad software application
• Programming interfaces to automate measurements
in LabVIEW and C environments
The VirtualBench application requires zero installation
and can load automatically through Windows AutoPlay
when connected throughUSB. VirtualBench also includes
software capabilities such as digital phosphor density
maps for displayingmultiple acquisitions simultaneously,
XY mode for plotting channels against one another, and
hands-free smart capture for automatic data capture
of repeated stable waveforms. To help better maintain
the value of any VirtualBench investment, National
Instruments provides free software and firmware updates
as new features are released. These features, in addition
to the consolidated interface, help engineers streamline
their approach for benchtop characterization and valida-
tion. The small footprint and low price of VirtualBench
compared with its equivalent set of boxes help enable
lower cost of test on a manufacturing floor.
The VirtualBench hardware family consists of three
models most easily designated by oscilloscope analog
bandwidth: 100, 350, and 500MHz. Through thesemodels,
theVirtualBench family serves awide rangeof applications
and price points in academic labs, hardware characteriza-
tion/debug benches, and automated test systems.
For more information: e-mail: ;
tel: 512.683.6394; web: ni.com/white-paper/53568/en/.
“Engineering workbenches and test systems are
getting more and more crowded every day as tech-
nologies converge in the latest smart devices,” said Luke
Schreier, Director of Automated Test Product Marketing
at National Instruments. “VirtualBench provides the
ideal combination of capability at performance levels
that can legitimately replace five or more instruments
needed to characterize new product designs or validate
assembled units on a production floor. With 500 MHz
of scope bandwidth and a faster generator in the latest
model, VirtualBench meets the needs of even more engi-
neers wrestling with how to lower their cost of capital
equipment.”
Key new features of the VB-8054 include:
• Four-channel, 500MHzmixed-signal oscilloscopewith
National Instruments’ VB-8054 and VirtualBench
Windows software application