Astronics Test Systems and National Instruments introduce Frequency Time Interval Counter

July 26, 2016
EAST AURORA, N.Y., 26 July 2016. Astronics Test Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Astronics Corp. (NASDAQ:ATRO), is introducing a Frequency Time Interval Counter (FTIC) in collaboration with National Instruments Corp. (NASDAQ:NATI). The Astronics PXIe-2461 high-performance, two-channel, universal 235 MHz frequency interval counter, the first product developed from Astronics’ collaboration with NI, is designed to revitalize legacy aerospace and defense test systems.

EAST AURORA, N.Y., 26 July 2016. Astronics Test Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Astronics Corp. (NASDAQ:ATRO), is introducing a Frequency Time Interval Counter (FTIC) in collaboration with National Instruments Corp. (NASDAQ:NATI). The Astronics PXIe-2461 high-performance, two-channel, universal 235 MHz frequency interval counter, the first product developed from Astronics’ collaboration with NI, is designed to revitalize legacy aerospace and defense test systems.

“We are kicking off our collaboration with NI with an FTIC that offers excellent measurement precision in a smaller form-factor vs. traditional one-size-fits-all digitizers, which are commonly used to record frequency, time, and interval measurements,” says Steve Fairbanks, senior director of products and instruments for Astronics Test Systems. “We look forward to further leveraging the combination of Astronics’ strength in test system integration and NI’s leadership in PXI-based technology to produce a best-in-class portfolio for automated test equipment applications.”

The new FTIC, for use in military or commercial applications, is designed for full test program sets (TPS) compatibility, can replace existing VXI-based FTICs, and delivers the same capability in a newer PXI-based subsystem.

With resolution of up to nine digits per second, the resolution can be 1 ns in single-shot mode and 100 ps in average mode. The unit operates in two voltage modes: ±5.1 V or ±42 V. The programmable measurement timeout ensures that system performance is optimized where input signals are missing.

Occupying a single PXI Express peripheral slot or hybrid slot, the FTIC offers many easy-to-use automatic measurement functions including:

  • Frequency and period
  • Time interval
  • Time interval (delayed)
  • Rise and fall time
  • Pulse width
  • Duty cycle
  • Frequency ratio (channels 1:2 or 2:1)
  • Totalize (manual, by pulse, by cycle and timed)
  • Phase

Units are in production and available through the NI sales channel starting at $4,499.

Astronics Corp. (NASDAQ:ATRO) is a supplier of products to the global aerospace, defense, electronics, and semiconductor industries. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Astronics Test Systems, delivers more than 50 years of test and measurement experience, offered through a wide range of products and capabilities that include automatic test equipment (ATE), integrated test systems, instrumentation, software, and custom engineering solutions. Astronics Test Systems solutions are implemented on a global scale, testing billions of devices to date to ensure reliable operation of everything from the aircraft you fly to the mobile device in your pocket.

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