Focus on software

Running on Agilent Technologies’ Infiniium oscilloscopes, DisplayPort 1.2 source compliance and validation software provides for the extensive physical-layer tests required for DisplayPort 1.2 source devices, defined as digital audio–video interconnects used primarily between a computer and its monitor. In DisplayPort 1.2, new measurement methods and patterns have been implemented and the highest data rate possible is 5.4 Gbs. Transmitting data at 5.4 Gbs over such media as standard and flexible PC boards requires preemphasis constructs in the transmitter; receivers must employ a minimum equalization to decode the data. Transmitter tests require that a mathematical worst-case channel model be used on the source before a reference equalizer makes source eye diagram and jitter measurements. Building on the configurability of previous-generation compliance test software, DisplayPort 1.2 makes those measurements automatically. Agilent Technologies Inc, 5301 Stevens Creek Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95051, http://www.agilent.com

Data Translation has released an updated Data Acquisition Product Guide, which is available in PDF format for immediate download or printing at http://www.datatranslation.com/productguide. The 13-page document offers a comprehensive summary of all USB and Ethernet (LXI) data acquisition hardware and software solutions offered by the company. It is a convenient tool to help engineers, scientists, and designers determine the best solution for their test and measurement applications. The Data Acquisition Product Guide is fully integrated with the Data Translation website, which includes hyperlinks for every product page that allow users to quickly and easily evaluate all available solutions. Data Translation Inc, 100 Locke Drive, Marlboro, MA 01752-1192, http://www.datatranslation.com

In redesigning its EMC testing software, AR has added new features and options and an increased ability to customize. Model SW1007 has an updated user interface that includes a tab system making it easier to both organize all the features for quick access and select predefined test standards. Users can also create and edit parameters to develop custom tests. The report-generating feature has been enhanced to offer more control and customization, including detailed graphs and data tables. The SW1007 can control more equipment and has additional setup features and new IEC calibration options. Each software module is based on a different type of EMC testing. AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation,160 School House Road, Souderton, PA 18964-9990, http://www.arww-rfmicro.com

A new time-domain solver and high-frequency tool for modeling and simulating 3D RF and microwave applications has been released by Integrated Engineering Software. Named Chronos, the software simulates RF applications and antennas in terms of speed, required memory, and accuracy with techniques such as finite difference time domain, moment of methods, and the finite element method. Automatic post processing tools can transform time-domain results and display them with different parameters in the frequency domain. After the geometry is specified and its material properties and required outputs assigned, Chronos will automatically generate an efficient mesh for accurate simulation. The software is compatible with all major computer-aided design programs such as Tecplot, Autodesk, Solid Edge, and SolidWorks. Integrated Engineering Software, 220-1821 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, R3H 0G4, http://www.integratedsoft.com

ITT Visual Information Solutions, a developer of software products for data visualization and image analysis, has introduced ENVI 4.8, the latest version of its software for extracting information from geospatial imagery. The product helps image analysts, researchers, and GIS professionals in various industries to streamline the process of adding image analysis to their workflows. It delivers complete integration with the ArcGIS platform from Esri and makes image analysis tools accessible directly from within the ArcGIS interface. In addition, ENVI now is capable of incorporating light detection and ranging data with other geospatial products and has an automated process for viewshed analysis to help create situational awareness from fixed vantage points. ITT Corporation, 1133 Westchester Avenue, White Plains, NY 10604, http://www.ittvis.com

Maple 15 is a new version of Maplesoft’s technical computing software for mathematicians, engineers, and scientists. With more than 270 new mathematical functions and hundreds of enhancements to existing algorithms, users can solve more complex problems faster than before. Maple 15 has a high degree of scalability and performance due to efficient fundamental operations, sophisticated algorithms for advanced operations, and options to fully leverage the power of multicore computers. It can compute symbolic solutions to and now solves 96% of the benchmark standard for differential equations. With Maple 15, users can work effectively with large data sets and create more compelling interactive applications using the new data table. Users can also take advantage of interactive clickable math tools, including more than 40 new mini-demonstrations for exploring and illustrating common mathematical concepts. Maplesoft, 615 Kumpf Drive, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2V 1K8, http://www.maplesoft.com

MathWorks has announced Release 2011a of its MATLAB and Simulink product families and introduced a new generation of code-generation products: MATLAB coder, Simulink coder, and embedded coder. Updates also were made to 80 other products, including Polyspace embedded software verification components. Among MATLAB’s R2011a highlights are improved performance for many linear algebra functions, a large-scale interior-point solver for quadratic programming in the optimization toolbox, and access to MATLAB compiler-generated applications and components by up to eight users through the parallel computing toolbox. New Simulink features include a signal logging selector that compares simulation results across models and runs and a design verifier that auto-matically detects overflow and divide-by-zero design errors. The MathWorks Inc, 3 Apple Hill Drive, Natick, MA 01760-2098, http://www.mathworks.com

The new PXIe-5186 from National Instruments is the highest bandwidth peripheral component interconnect extensions for instrumentation (PXI) digitizer currently available. Codeveloped with Tektronix, the PXIe-5186 employs Tektronix enabling technology to achieve up to 5 GHz of bandwidth and a 12.5-GS/s sampling rate. National Instruments has also announced the NI PXIe-5185, which delivers 3 GHz of bandwidth along with a 12.5-GS/s sampling rate. The digitizers’ proprietary Tektronix performance oscilloscope application-specific integrated circuits, which are based on the IBM 7HP SiGe process, are the foundation for high-speed signal acquisition with low noise and high linearity. The very low 500-fs rms integrated jitter results in a 5.5 effective number of bits at 5 GHz. The digitizers are suitable for such applications as automated production tests, semiconductor automated test equipment, and high-energy physics measurement systems. National Instruments Corporation, 11500 North Mopac Expressway, Austin, TX 78759-3504, http://www.ni.com

OriginLab Corp has released Origin 8.5.1 and OriginPro 8.5.1. Among new Origin 8.5.1 features are two data analysis gadgets and a versatile graph reconstruction tool. Originally introduced in Origin 8.5, gadgets provide an ultraintuitive interface that can immediately analyze a selected region of data. The cluster manipulation and quick peaks gadgets were developed in response to user needs. The quick peaks gadget allows for the identification of the peak locations within a region of interest in a spectrum. Support is provided to output more than 15 selectable peak parameters, including peak locations in x/y, area, and centroid. A “fit peaks” context menu subsequently allows users to switch to multiple peak fitting. Improvements have been made in all major software areas, including the worksheet, import and export functions, graphing, and data analysis. OriginLab Corporation, One Roundhouse Plaza, Suite 303, Northampton, MA 01060, http://www.originlab.com

Allinea Software has made available DDT 3.0, a debugger for parallel computing on systems with hundreds of thousands of processor cores that deliver petaflop performance. The new version shortens debugging time and improves efficiency for small and midscale users. In addition, the new software technology, which includes an enhanced user interface, makes debugging possible for users of the world’s largest supercomputers as they approach petascale performance. DDT 3.0 is based on a new tree-structured architecture that provides a logarithmic improvement in both scalability and response time over other available software. New components include smart highlighting, improved C++ features, and support for the most complex and demanding codes. Allinea Software Ltd, The Innovation Centre, Warwick Technology Park, Gallows Hill, Warwick CV34 6UW, UK, http://www.allinea.com

The new version 14 of Opera, the electromagnetic design software from Cobham Technical Services’ Vector Fields Software product line, improves the speed and accuracy of simulation by extending the flexibility of finite element analysis meshing. Among the enhancements are an integrated graphical circuit editor for defining associated electrical circuitry such as motor drive components; that feature is also included for either a 2D or 3D version of the software. Opera provides a design-simulate-analyze-optimize toolchain. It is available in several variants with finite element analysis solvers for static and time-varying electromagnetic fields or with application-specific solvers for design work that includes superconducting magnets, particle beams, and magnetization or demagnetization processes. Cobham Technical Services, 1700 North Farnsworth Avenue, Aurora, IL 60505, http://www.cobham.com

Golden Software has introduced Grapher 9, a 2D and 3D graphing program designed primarily to offer scientists, engineers, and others an easy-to-use interface to create professional, publication-quality graphs. Data can be converted into 54 fully customizable graph types. Grapher 9 now supports Unicode fonts, which allow international users to create and display text using characters from languages other than English and to save and open files with Unicode characters in the path name. Unicode characters are also supported in Grapher’s worksheet. Users also can use 64-bit versions of Windows with the 64-bit version of Grapher 9. They can load large data sets without running out of memory. The program can move any label in a graph and has an improved clipping system. A free Grapher 9 demo may be downloaded from the company’s website. Golden Software Inc, 809 14th Street, Golden, CO 80401-1866, http://www.goldensoftware.com