“An engineer can test audio, video, Ethernet and other signals with the powerful Alfamation all-in-one FlexMedia AMX module and still have room in the PXI chassis to test other aspects of the automotive system," said Ben James, at National Instruments.
Austin, Texas (PRWEB) August 05, 2013
Alfamation today released three new PXI-based modules in the FlexMedia AMX Series for automotive high-speed serial LVDS testing at up to 12 GB/s, and a new version of its SuperNova software. The Alfamation FlexMedia AMX Media Test Sets for APIX®2, MAX9259/60 and FPD-Link III are based on the NI FlexRIO product family. The new FlexMedia AMX Series is the first to offer complete support for comprehensive testing on chip manufacturers’ proprietary data link technologies, all within a single multichannel module.
“While chip manufacturers are releasing new infotainment-centric data links, test engineers face challenges in fully evaluating these new interfaces,” said Ben James, product manager at National Instruments. “An engineer can test audio, video, Ethernet and other signals with the powerful Alfamation all-in-one FlexMedia AMX module and still have room in the PXI chassis to test other aspects of the automotive system.”
The FlexMedia AMX Series builds on the FlexMedia product family, which offers cutting-edge solutions for HDMI and analog programmable video generators, real-time LVDS and V-by-One® 3D and 4k analyzers and more. The new modules are specifically designed to evaluate the high-speed, bidirectional LVDS data links that connect automotive head units with displays, cameras and other system peripherals. These compact test tools support the following proprietary serializer and deserializer communication chipsets:
- Inova APIX2 INAP375R/T
- Maxim MAX9249, MAX9259, MAX9260, MAX9263 and MAX9264
- Texas Instruments FPD-Link III DS90Ux925/6
The modules incorporate multiple FPGAs for high-speed, parallel processing of bandwidth-intensive signals. Manufacturing tests can be completed in a fraction of the time required by conventional methods using the FlexMedia AMX Series real-time video test methodologies, which are based on bit error rate (BER), pixel error rate (PER), peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and video timing detection.
The PXI-based infotainment test instruments come with intuitive software for generating and analyzing video, audio and data streams, including an easy-to-use desktop GUI and a set of API functions for programming. Key functions include:
- Video generation, real-time capture and analysis
- Audio generation and capture
- I2C, UART, Ethernet and SPI connectivity (depending on chipset)
- General-purpose I/O
With full support of all chip features, programmable functionality and high-speed FPGA performance, the FlexMedia AMX modules provide engineers with a valuable toolset to use throughout the entire product life cycle, from technology evaluation to product design to manufacturing and quality assurance.
Alfamation SuperNova 2013 Simplifies Access to High-End Test Capabilities
Alfamation also announced SuperNova 2013, the latest version of its graphical, configuration-based automated test environment that leverages the power of NI TestStand 2013 test management software to simplify access to high-end test capabilities, reduce time spent on analysis and customizations, and help engineers quickly achieve testing goals with minimal time and cost investment. New features include increased functionality for software revision management, an optional plug-in for Perforce revision control software and language support for simplified Chinese. With SuperNova 2013, engineers can easily create test applications and manage more complex computations for electronic manufacturing markets.
Pricing and Availability
FlexMedia AMX modules are available with pricing below $4,000. Alfamation will ship SuperNova 2013 beginning in September 2013 with pricing starting at $1,030 for the run-time version. For more information on the FlexMedia AMX Series and SuperNova, visit http://www.alfamationglobal.com.
About Alfamation
Alfamation (http://www.alfamationglobal.com) is a global provider of functional test products and solutions for the automotive, consumer electronics, telecom and medical industries. Alfamation challenges the traditional approach to functional test with technology innovations that address the test needs of continually changing markets, empowering today’s manufacturing teams to manage and run sophisticated and rigorous functional tests without the high costs and setup time of traditional systems. With more than 20 years of experience, Alfamation is a preferred vendor of engineers at many leading Fortune 500 engineering companies. Alfamation has been a leading NI Alliance Partner since 2000, honored as one of only 17 Platinum Alliance Partners in the world.
About National Instruments
Since 1976, National Instruments (http://www.ni.com) has equipped engineers and scientists with tools that accelerate productivity, innovation and discovery. NI’s graphical system design approach to engineering provides an integrated software and hardware platform that speeds the development of any system needing measurement and control. The company’s long-term vision and focus on improving society through its technology supports the success of its customers, employees, suppliers and shareholders.
Alfamation, FlexMedia and SuperNova are trademarks of Alfamation, in the U.S. and other countries.
LabVIEW, National Instruments, NI, ni.com, NI FlexRIO and NI TestStand are trademarks of National Instruments. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies. A National Instruments Alliance Partner is a business entity independent from National Instruments and has no agency, partnership or joint-venture relationship with National Instruments.
Inova and APIX®2 are trademarks of Inova Semiconductors GmbH. Maxim, MAX9249, MAX 9259, MAX9260, MAX9263 and MAX9264 are trademarks of Maxim Integrated. Texas Instruments and FPD-Link are trademarks of Texas Instruments. Other trademarks are of respective owners.