Hans-Peter Hoenes, Senior Manager for Product Line Applications, Automotive at Fairchild Semiconductors, writes:
The increasing complexity of electronic systems in modern automobiles reached a level where a paradigm shift both in design and the qualification process becomes mandatory. Releasing products according AEC-Q101, a sampling based method derived from ammunition testing in the 1940s and implemented […]

AR RF/Microwave Instrumentation has introduced three accessory kits for RF conducted immunity testing for Bulk Current Injection (BCI) to various IEC, Military, Avionics and Automotive specifications. Designed as a complement to AR’s RF conducted immunity test systems, the three new kits each include attenuators, injection probes, monitor probes, calibration fixtures, calibration resistors, and termination resistors […]

According to a new report by Global Industry Analysts the non-destructive test (NDT) equipment market will reach $1.2 billion by 2015. Stringent industry product specifications and tight quality control requirements set by the manufacturers are two of the biggest factors driving this demand.
The global market for surface inspection equipment is growing steadily with European […]

AutoCar.Co.UK reports that BMW has opened a new aerodynamic test facility. According to the report,
The new Munich-based Aerodynamic Test Centre is spread over five floors and 25,000sq meters, took three years to construct and cost 170m Euros (£144m). Until now BMW had been using wind tunnels in five different locations around the world.
The facility […]

The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International has produced a simple, consistent and economical sound test standard that can be used to determine whether a streetbike (on-highway motorcycle) exhaust system emits excessive sound, the AMA reports.
The J2825 “Measurement of Exhaust Sound Pressure Levels of Stationary On-Highway Motorcycles,” issued by the SAE in May, establishes instrumentation, […]

The Delphi Customer Technology Centre Luxembourg (CTCL), specialises in noise and vibration, exhaust emissions, engine durability, electromagnetic compatibility, and electronic systems test and development. With more than 500 engineers and technicians in Luxembourg, Delphi employs state of the art systems to support a wide range of testing and development programs for automotive and non-automotive companies.
The […]

The problem of consolidating simulation models from different tools is growing when proprietary approaches are used. The IEEE language standard VHDL-AMS, also known as IEEE 1076.1, attempts to address the problem for automotive applications.
A development environment from Synopsys Inc. is used by the authors to show how designers can make the most of the IEEE […]

Maxim Integrated Products has selected the Teradyne microFLEX test system to test automotive sensor devices. The DC80 features a high-density voltage/current (V/I) option for high voltage and low current requirements that works well for testing integrated automotive and power devices, including LED drivers, printer drivers and automotive controllers.
The DC80 combines 20 four-quadrant VI channels able […]

The Arizona Republic reports that the last car has taken its last test lap, and most employees have already moved to a new facility in Yuma. The article notes:
For the past few weeks, perhaps a half-dozen people have been packing for General Motors’ final departure from Mesa, bringing a quiet end to an era when […]

Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America has selected A&D Technology to supply a state-of-the-art transmission test cell. A&D will deliver three low-inertia permanent magnet dynamometers and high-performance AC drives together with their iTest data acquisition and control system. In addition, the system includes A&D’s Andromeda real-time, multi-processor simulation platform, allowing Toyota to simulate virtually […]