Blogs
Whitepaper: Why Capacitance? Benefits and Applications of Digital Capacitive Sensors
Industry applications illustrate the versatility and benefits of today's digital capacitive sensor technology. The electrical capacitance formed between a capacitance probe and target surface varies as a function of the distance, or gap, between those two surfaces.
Whitepaper: Semiconductor Wafer Measurement for Increased Productivity
Semiconductor Wafer Measurement for Increased Productivity This three-part article describes how manufacturers leverage capacitance-based inspection systems for semiconductor wafers. The article reviews best-practices, consequences of failing to inspect semiconductor wafers and benefits of using semi-automated, fully-automated and manual systems for wafer metrology and inspection. Part 1: Why Disc Geometry Matters in Wafer Production Semiconductor wafers are cut from cylindrical silicon crystals, or ingots. The flatness of these disc-shaped wafers is controlled to tight tolerances to ensure that the entire wafer surface is suitable for integrated circuit (IC) production. If disc geometry is out-of-spec [...]
The Cost of Failing to Inspect Semiconductor Wafers
This is the second of three articles in Semiconductor Wafer Measurement for Increased Profitability. The first article in this series explains why disc geometry matters. The third article describes the benefits of using semi-automated, fully-automated, and manual systems for wafer metrology and inspection. Most semiconductor wafers are made of silicon, the second most common element in the Earth’s crust. Yet, silicon’s abundance does not mean that wafers are inexpensive. The pure form of silicon that’s used in semiconductors does not occur naturally and must be refined and mixed with a dopant that alters material properties and electrical characteristics. Silicon ingots are formed, wafers [...]
Cable & Wire Troubleshooting Made Easy-Using the MTI 1510 Precision Signal Generator
Cable & Wire Troubleshooting Made Easy Using MTI Instruments 1510A Precision Signal/Function Generator Cable & Wire troubleshooting is important to identify and resolve problems with electrical or data transmission systems. Without proper troubleshooting, systems can fail, causing a range of issues including downtime, lost productivity and safety hazards. MTI Instruments 1510A is ideal for troubleshooting in the instrumentation room, factory floor, flight-line or laboratory. 1510A Key Benefits The 1510A is a portable signal source used for calibrating electronic equipment and machinery monitoring systems. Its portability and ruggedness make it ideal for use in the instrumentation room, [...]
GaGe Whitepaper: Wide Bandwidth Digitizer Provides Essential Data Processing in an Innovative Real-Time Channel Sounder for 5G Applications
Wide Bandwidth Digitizer Provides Essential Data Processing in an Innovative Real-Time Channel Sounder for 5G Applications By Gerald Allgaier, GaGe ( a Vitrek Brand) Introduction Orange Labs, the research & development division of the French telecommunications multi-national, Orange, presented a paper[1] at the 13th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EUCAP 2019) held in Krakow, Poland. Introduced in the paper, was an innovative wideband radio channel sounder that conducts reliable, easy-to-use measurements in demanding 5G applications, such as outdoor drive tests. This article describes the GaGe EON Express 3 GS/s 12-bit PCIe Gen3 Digitizer that Orange Labs [...]
Whitepaper: Three Vibration/Balancing Solutions for the Aviation Industry
Three Vibration/Balancing Solutions for the Aviation Industry MTI Instruments Offers a Variety of Solutions for Commercial, Regional & Military Jet Engine Balancing Applications Introduction Throughout the aviation industry, whether commercial or military, jet engine vibration is an everyday concern. Maintenance, repair, and overhaul crews worldwide are tasked with monitoring aircraft engine vibration to ensure flight safety and efficient service. Gone unchecked, jet engine vibration can be the catalyst for any number of problems, from minor annoyances such as cabin noise to undue parts wear. In the most severe cases, an out-of-balance turbine could lead to catastrophic [...]
Whitepaper: How to Work Safely with High-Voltage Test & Measurement Equipment
How to Work Safely with High-Voltage Test & Measurement Equipment Vitrek’s advanced 4700 High Voltage Meter and SmartProbes offer alternative to legacy approach to calibrating high-voltage systems. INTRODUCTION When working with high-voltage test and measurement equipment, electrical and test engineers strive to achieve the most precise readings possible while also maintaining a safe work area. Typically, they employ external probes such as high-voltage dividers, but these instruments come with drawbacks and are prone to errors. This whitepaper describes an alternative approach to calibrating high-voltage systems. The advanced solution comprises Vitrek’s 4700 High Voltage Meter for direct [...]
High Precision Portable Signal Generators and Calibrators: Everything You Need to Know
High precision portable signal generators are portable electronic devices that generate highly precise signals for testing, system calibration, sensor simulation, troubleshooting, and monitoring. Unlike the benchtop signal generators that are used in laboratories, these hand-held portable devices are designed to be used in the field. The best high precision portable signal generators are also rugged and NIST traceable, meaning that their manufacturer calibrates them to standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In terms of cost, high precision portable signal generators are more expensive than less precise, lower-end devices that can be held in the hand; [...]
MTI Whitepaper: Easy Roller Gap Measurement Ensures Calendering Success
Easy Roller Gap Measurement Ensures Calendering Success Many roll-to-roll finishing processes typically use a calender, or series of hard pressure rollers, to deliver smooth, high-quality products of plastic, textile, or paper (Fig 1). Ensuring a consistent material thickness, however, depends on the ability to monitor, and maintain, a precise gap between rollers. This application note describes a quick and easy means for roller gap measurement Problem Establishing a roller gap and checking for parallelism across roller width can be a slow and cumbersome procedure. Manual measurement requires multiple sized feeler gauges which can introduce errors. Misinterpreting [...]
GaGe Whitepaper: Real-Time High-Speed Data Acquisition on PC-Based System Platforms
GaGe Whitepaper: Real-Time High-Speed Data Acquisition on PC-Based System Platforms By Gerald Allgaier, Systems Specialist and Bob Fitzgerald, Application Specialist - Vitrek For many measurements that require the capture and processing of analog data, data throughput speed and conversion resolution are the two most important considerations. Typical examples include Radar, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Ultrasound Imaging, Non- Destructive Testing (NDT), Mass Spectroscopy / Time-of-Flight (TOF), and Production Test. These test applications usually demand high speed data transfer rates. So typically, Digitizers (A/D) or Arbitrary Waveform Generators (D/A) residing on a high-speed backplane are required. These [...]









