ZTEC Instruments Introduces Cutting-Edge RF Test Set Product

Sept. 14, 2010 - PRLog -- Orlando, FL (September 14, 2010) - ZTEC Instruments (http://www.ztecinstruments.com), the leader in modular oscilloscopes and waveform generators, announced today that it will further its expansion into the RF Test Equipment market with the introduction of its latest product, the ZT8101 RF Test Set (http://www.ztecinstruments.com/products/rf-test-equipment.php).  

The ZT8101 Test Set is comprised of three unique PXI instruments, the ZT8441 RF/IF Digitizer, the ZT8711 LO Synthesizer, and the ZT8611 RF Downconverter.   ZTEC Instruments teamed again with Astronics DME Corporation (NASDAQ- ATRO, http://astronics.com) to jointly develop this RF Test Set.

“We are excited to announce this revolutionary instrument set; it is truly synthetic, flexible, future-proof hardware, compatible with 3rd party RF instruments for frequency range extension,” says ZTEC Instruments Chief Technical Officer Dr. Matthew T. Hunter, Ph. D., who speared-headed the project.  “Alone, the ZT8101 RF Test Set delivers general purpose, image free signal analysis up to 9GHz.  Additionally, the ZT8101 can be paired with other third party instruments, like the Phase Matrix Preselector (PXI-1420) and Microwave Downconverter (PXI-1410), providing frequency range extension to 26.5 GHz”

The ZT8101 Test Set comes standard with
•   Ultra wide 150 MHz modulation bandwidth to meet current and future communication protocols including JTRS, WCDMA, LTE, and WiMax.
•   Vector signal analysis capability for complex digital modulation analysis including error vector magnitude (EVM) and adjacent channel power measurement
•   Compatibility features for 3rd party RF instruments for frequency range extension
•   Synthetic, flexible, future-proof hardware
•   Image free down conversion for high performance spectral analysis, spur search, and false measurement avoidance
•   Full-featured ZSignal Spectrum Analyzer GUI
Key

Platforms
Available   Frequency Range   Frequency Resolution   Switching Speed   Level Range   Modulation Bandwidth   
Phase Noise
@ 9GHz   
Spurious-Free
Dynamic Range
PXI   1MHz to
1,3,6, or 9GHz   1 Hz    75 dB

The ZT8101 RF Test Set leverages ZTEC Instruments’ value-add to modular instruments by providing an intuitive GUI, ZSignalTM.  ZSignalTM provides advanced integration and support with a simple and familiar interface to ease the transition from a bench-top spectrum analyzer to its modular instrument counterpart. ZSignalTM was built in accordance with award-winning ZScope® and ZWave® platforms to minimize the time needed to integrate the instrument into both new and legacy software.

“The development of these instruments with ZTEC Instruments was a logical step in technology progression from our ATACTS product line to an advanced PXI RF measurement set further expanding the performance parameters,” says Lou Salzano, Astronics Corporation Vice-President of Test Solutions. “The PXI format allows the instruments to be used as part of a small standalone measurement set or integrated into a larger ATE system.”

“ZTEC Instruments is extremely pleased to once again be working side-by-side with Astronics DME Corporation to provide the smallest footprint RF Test Set to support the next generation military and aerospace RF test requirements,” says Christopher Ziomek, President of ZTEC Instruments. “This technology will help both ZTEC Instruments and Astronics Corporation further serve their customers in the various branches of the US military, including the US Marine Corps and the US Navy.”


About ZTEC Instruments
ZTEC Instruments is a leading modular instrument company whose product focus includes oscilloscopes, waveform generators, and RF Test Equipment. ZTEC Instruments’ products are unique in that they provide powerful bench-top instrument capabilities in modular instrument form factors, including PCI, Compact PCI/PXI, VXI, and LXI. For more information about ZTEC Instruments and how our products can address your test and measurement needs, please visit http://www.ztecinstruments.com.

About Astronics Corporation
Astronics Corporation is a leader in advanced, high performance lighting, electrical power and automated test systems for the global aerospace and defense industries. The Company's strategy is to develop and maintain positions of technical leadership in its chosen aerospace and defense markets, to leverage those positions to grow the amount of content and volume of product it sells to those markets and to selectively acquire businesses with similar technical capabilities that could benefit from our leadership position and strategic direction. Astronics Corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, DME Corporation, Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems Corp. and Luminescent Systems Inc., have a reputation for high quality designs, exceptional responsiveness, strong brand recognition and best-in-class manufacturing practices. The Company routinely posts news and other important information on its website at http://www.astronics.com.  For more information on Astronics and its products, visit its website at http://www.astronics.com  

Safe Harbor Statement (Astronics Corporation)
This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. One can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “estimate” or other similar expression. Because such statements apply to future events, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the state of the aerospace and defense industry, the market acceptance of newly developed products, internal production capabilities, the timing of orders received, the status of customer certification processes, the demand for and market acceptance of new or existing aircraft which contain the Company’s products, customer preferences, and other factors which are described in filings by Astronics with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information in this press release whether to reflect changed assumptions, the occurrence of unanticipated events or changes in future operating results, financial conditions or prospects, or otherwise

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ZTEC Instruments is a leading modular instrument company whose product focus includes oscilloscopes, waveform generators, and RF Test Equipment; providing benchtop capabilities in modular instrumentation, including PCI, Compact PCI/PXI, VXI, and LXI.