In 2002, ZTEC is taking its high-performance PXI instruments to the next level of instrument integration. Design verification and functional test applications require instrumentation solutions and not just sets of individual PXI modules. The cost and complexity of integrating individual modules often prohibits the acceptance of PXI. Consequently, ZTEC is targeting specific applications for complete instrument sets by designing and integrating 3U PXI products inside a portable PXI chassis. For integrated test set applications, the 3U PXI physical architecture has strong size and cost advantages over other architectures (6U PXI, VXI, GPIB, etc.). ZTEC's custom application software adds the graphical user interface and application-specific functionality that completes the test solution. ZTEC is focusing on two new PXI instrument sets that directly address specific applications within the telecom industry. The ZT9080 HDTV Test Set provides an integrated solution for generation and capture of digital television signals. HDTV applications take advantage of the combination of high signal bandwidth and high signal resolution offered by ZTEC's latest innovations in data conversion products (D/A and A/D). Waveform libraries and pixel definition software are an integral part of the test pattern synthesis functionality that completes the ZT9080 Test Set. Similarly, ZTEC's ZT9100 Wireless Test Set provides the RF signal generation and RF signal detection instrumentation to cover the commercial 2.5G and 3G frequency bands up to 3 GHz. Application software addresses a number of wireless formats including TDMA (IS-136), CDMA (IS-95), GSM/EDGE, IEEE-802.11b, and Bluetooth. Measurement functions such as modulation diagnostics, signal and noise power measurements, cellular transmission timing, and quality of service determination make the ZT9100 a powerful, flexible, and mobile tool for wireless test applications. Looking forward, ZTEC believes it must provide application-specific software to complete the functionality of its PXI instruments and take advantage of the opportunity presented by PXI for flexible, modular instrument sets.
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