When Choosing Test Equipment, Don't Forget the Interface

When purchasing RF test equipment, it is tempting to concentrate on specifications, such as insertion loss, frequency range, or VSWR, without think ahead on the fact that a complex testing scheme usually involves integrating multiple pieces of equipment from multiple manufacturers.

For multiple devices to work seamlessly together in an automated test flow, designers and engineers must also consider the interface that would be used to drive the testing equipment. This article discusses the differences in proprietary and generic interfaces, the benefits each type has to offer, and offers some solutions to potential interface barriers and how to remove them.