Novel Solution for smarter, more cost- effective test instrumentation recognised!

Based on its recent analysis of the peripheral component interconnect or PCI eXtensions for instrumentation (PXI)-based instrumentation for electronic test applications market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes RADX Technologies (RADX) with the 2014 Global Frost & Sullivan Award for New Product Innovation. RADX entered the test and measurement market with the introduction of the LibertyGT COTS Software Defined Synthetic Instrument (SDSI) product line that synthesizes a wide range of instruments while enabling concurrent operation for high throughput to address key end-user demands. This product features an innovative touchscreen design that has been optimized for re-configurability, technology insertion and user programmability.

Using PXI hardware and LabVIEW, LabVIEW FPGA and TestStand software from National Instruments packaged in a touchscreen enclosure developed by RADX, the LibertyGT SDSI offers faster measurement speed than traditional instrumentation. Furthermore, the range of functionalities available from RADX Technologies (up to 32 instruments currently) translates to a significantly lower cost of ownership as the number of instruments it replaces increases.

Based on patented technology licensed exclusively by RADX from BAE Systems, the LibertyGT features measurement science firmware and software (MSFS) that encompasses spectrum analysis, digital storage oscilloscope (DSO), Digital Multimeter (DMM), RF signal generation stimuli and comprehensive radio test. The LibertyGT includes an open source scripting language for local Test Program Set development and the system also supports Interchangeable Virtual Instrument (IVI) drivers for remote access. Apart from providing a wide range of intrinsic capabilities, the RADX LibertyGT SDSI also supports third-party measurement science and the company develops custom modules for customers. The solution is available with two software packages, the MSFS base bundle and the advanced measurement science software and firmware bundle (AMSB).

"While other companies have taken similar steps to provide program specific solutions using PXI hardware, RADX Technologies differentiates itself by integrating a turnkey, touchscreen, general purpose synthetic instrument that provides control of solution to customers, which is essential to add/modify functionality over time,” said Frost & Sullivan Industry Director Jessy Cavazos. "This is made possible by the innovative hardware and software design of the instrument, from the hinged front panel design of the enclosure to the modular software architecture that enables customer to tailor and maintain the system as their requirements dictate."

In addition to hardware re-configurability, the LibertyGT software architecture enables concurrent measurement capability, transforming the synthetic instrument into a compact, yet comprehensive test system, which, in turn, lowers costs. The product also offers cost-savings by isolating the hardware, software, and test program sets (TPS) from each other. This model allows hardware and software to be changed without affecting the TPS, eventually greatly reducing the need to rewrite and recertify TPS in military ATE applications.

RADX employed a number of experts in the LabVIEW and embedded systems ecosystem to develop LibertyGT, including JKI to help with the system’s intuitive LabVIEW user interface (UI) which features simple workflows, user and third party extensibility and powerful screen animations.

"The breadth of instrument personalities offered by the LibertyGT, coupled with the addition of a its python based local TPS framework and Test Management based on NI TestStand makes the system ideal for benchtop and automated test systems,” noted Cavazos. "Simultaneously, the company has strived to make its LibertyGT solution especially suited to the production test environment by providing the user programmability, front-to-back cooling, and modular power supply."

In addition to its use in military test and measurement applications, the LibertyGT SDSI is well suited for commercial applications in wireless infrastructure, wireless communication devices, commercial radios, and commercial avionics. Customers may employ its wide range of instrument personalities and/or develop and add their own measurement science to the instrument.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed an innovative element in a product by leveraging leading-edge technologies. The award recognizes the value-added features/benefits of the product and the increased ROI it offers customers, which, in turn, increases customer acquisition and overall market penetration potential.

Frost & Sullivan’s Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for outstanding achievement in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research.

Benchtop SDSI launched!

RADX® Technologies in collaboration with National Instruments, has introduced the RADX LibertyGT™ Model 1200B (“1200B”) COTS Benchtop SDSI. Designed to address high-performance, high-throughput wireless communications, RF and microwave test and measurement applications, the 1200B is a turnkey, multifunction, commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS), benchtop Software Defined Synthetic Instrument (SDSI) that is uniquely modular, programmable, upgradable, reconfigurable and cost-effective. The 1200B’s modular architecture combines an extensive library of RADX COTS Realtime Measurement Science Software and Firmware modules with a powerful collection of advanced, COTS NI PXI modules and LabVIEW® system design software—all housed in an integrated, field-service-optimized benchtop enclosure equipped with a comprehensive RF Interface Unit (RFIU) and High-Definition (HD) touchscreen display.

“The LibertyGT 1200B couples the unmatched quality and performance of NI PXI modules with RADX patented Realtime Measurement Science Software and Firmware—tightly integrated in a turnkey COTS benchtop instrument,” said Ross Q. Smith, RADX co-founder and CEO. “With industry leading realtime stimulus and measurement capabilities that deliver previously unachievable levels of performance and throughput, coupled with the system’s inherent flexibility, modularity, supportability, upgradability, programmability and reduced life-cycle-costs, the 1200B represents a new benchmark in value for benchtop RF and wireless test and measurement instruments.”

RADX and NI are demonstrating the 1200B in the NI booth (No. 1503) at MILCOM 2013. In addition, RADX will also be demonstrating the LibertyGT 1200B in the Core Systems booth (No. 1316).

About the LibertyGT 1200B

With advanced RF stimulus and measurement capabilities, the LibertyGT 1200B is optimized for high-throughput, multifunction parametric testing of commercial and military digital and analog radios, avionics, smart phones, tablets, data links and other wireless communications systems with transmit and/or receive frequencies under 6 GHz and where the combination of programmability, flexibility, performance, throughput and long life cycle support and total cost of ownership is of paramount importance. The LibertyGT Model 1200B features a RADX and Core Systems designed aluminum enclosure that includes an innovative, hinged, front panel HD touchscreen that supports field-level repairs, upgrades and reconfiguration, an intuitive GUI and LabVIEW based software framework, a comprehensive RFIU for readily testing a wide range of RF systems, and NI PXI modules, including the NI PXIe-5644 vector signal transceiver and LabVIEW software— all tightly integrated with a comprehensive suite of RADX Realtime Measurement Science Software and Firmware modules.

Open Architecture, Programmable and 3rd Party Friendly
With its LabVIEW software framework, multicore Intel® Core™ i7-based embedded controller and multiple Xilinx® FPGA processing capabilities, the 1200B features an open architecture that is ideal for user and integrator programming. The 1200B supports the ready integration of user Test Procedure Sets (TPS), user programs and scripts via industry standard APIs and languages such as LabVIEW, IVI, Python, XML, etc., that leverage RADX Measurement Science Modules and NI LabVIEW Workbenches and Virtual Instruments. In addition, the 1200B supports 3rd party measurement science modules based on popular programming environments including LabVIEW, C, C++, C#, Java and others. For seamless development and quick time to market, the 1200B is binary compatible with and functionally equivalent to the LibertyGT 1000R Test and Development Reference Platform and its associated RFIU.

“With support for stimulus and measurement to 6 GHz, benchtop enclosure and integrated HD touch screen display, the LibertyGT 1200B has the range of functionality, performance, programmability and precision required for comprehensive radio, wireless networking and RF system testing where ease-of-use and repeatable, reproducible test results and high throughput is essential,” added Wade Lowdermilk, RADX co-founder and CTO. “Accordingly, the 1200B is uniquely well suited for multifunction R&D and production commercial wireless test programs as well as DoD communications, avionics/vetronics and weapon systems test applications that have often been beyond the reach of COTS systems.”

Comprehensive RADX Measurement Science Software and Firmware
The 1200B includes the LibertyGT Base Measurement Science Software and Firmware Bundle, which features Spectrum Analysis, 2-Channel Digital Storage Oscilloscope, Standard Calibration/Alignment, Remote Interface and Test Procedure Set & User Programming/Scripting Module (both with IVI support).

In addition, the 1200B also includes the LibertyGT Advanced Measurement Science Software Bundle which contains the following modules: Stimulus Control, Realtime Vector Signal Generator, Realtime RF Receiver Chain, 2-Channel Digitizer, Realtime Digital and Analog Internal and External Waveform Modulation and Demodulation, Advanced Calibration/Alignment, Realtime User Digital I/O, Realtime Bit Error Rate Tester and RF Power Meter. Future options for the 1200B include the User Measurement Science API which enables users and integrators to add third party or their own measurement science software to the system using popular programming environments and a range of modulation and demodulation modules including QAM, PSK, MSK and OFDM with support for various specific standards such as IEEE 802.11 and LTE. In addition, RADX offers NRE-based customer services for developing customer specific modulation/demodulation capabilities and specific automated tests for particular radios or communications systems.

Modular for Reduced TCO
For substantially reduced Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), the LibertyGT 1200B employs a highly modular, NI PXIe-based architecture and an innovative hinged front panel design that intrinsically supports module and subsystem replacement, upgrades and technology insertion—in the field. This unique approach dramatically reduces spares, repairs and shipping costs, improves up time and mitigates obsolescence issues and life-time-buys-- all while simultaneously enabling the 1200B to address future requirements, including support for frequencies up to 26.5 GHz, with a simple change of modules.

“The LibertyGT 1200B represents an outstanding value for radio test and similar applications where performance, flexibility, throughput, life cycle and programmability are important,” said Christer Ljungdahl, director of aerospace and defense for the Americas at NI. “By combining NI modular instrumentation with RADX advanced measurement science RADX has created a compelling turnkey, future-proof benchtop instrument. We believe that with the 1200B, system integrators and end users alike will be able to deploy wireless communications system test capabilities in record time and at previously unattainable price points.”