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How to Identify Your NI Part

Closeup of a NI box label with the model name, part number, and catalog number highlighted in yellow

If you have ever found yourself confused by all of the different numbers associated with your NI part and what they signify, you are not alone. With an impressively massive catalog of parts that has only grown over the past few decades, the numbering system established by NI uses many different identifiers out of necessity. In this post, we will break down the most common identifiers and variations for NI parts and explain their significance.

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The Beginner’s Guide to Test Equipment Obsolescence

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Addressing test equipment obsolescence can be a daunting task, further complicated by the speed of innovation. However, you don’t need to be a seasoned engineer or technician to understand the importance of the topic! This post will go over the basics of test equipment obsolescence, providing a starting point for anyone new to the industry or simply looking for a comprehensible guide.

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The Tech Teamwork of NASA and NI

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From humble beginnings in James Truchard’s residential garage in Texas, NI has become a massively respected producer of automated test equipment. Since launching in 1976, the company has helped find hardware and software solutions for multiple industries on an international scale. The incredible impact that NI has had on technological innovation is even more evident when considering its long history of working with NASA.

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System Maintenance with Apex Waves

System maintenance is an integral part of test engineering. Whether you are designing a new test program set or working within an established one, it’s important to keep resources for both preventative and corrective maintenance in mind. By having plans for both addressing equipment issues as they come up and preventing issues from occurring in the first place, your system will be spared from expensive delays in the future. With a specialized focus on National Instruments parts, Apex Waves is able to provide the repairs you need to maximize the performance of your equipment and system.

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Software and Test Standardization

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It’s no secret that software is key to creating the foundation of modern technology. With the rate at which new products and features are introduced into today’s market, the test software industry must prioritize expedient production and flexible customer delivery. How can this be accomplished? Through the standardization of test equipment! For years, the goal of testing organizations has been to achieve standardization- yet many businesses struggle to apply test standards because they can’t agree on how. However, test standardization does not have to entail a major revamp of your engineering and production testing processes. Smaller, more manageable standards, such as code or data management standards, can be implemented to address and resolve inefficiency issues.

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Calibrating and Measuring Accuracy in Analog Meters

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All electromagnetic current meters function on the basis that the intensity of the magnetic field around a coil is proportional to the amount of current flowing through it. Whether the meter you are using is alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC), knowing what to expect from the different meter movements is essential for correct calibration and accurate measurements.

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Filling in the Gaps of the ICT Supply Chain

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Supply chain management is a critical part of any business, but it becomes even more invaluable in times of crisis. In February 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a collaborative report assessing the current state of the supply chains that are critical to the ICT industry. Their findings point to crucial gaps in this vital production process- gaps that Apex Waves is stepping up to fill. When it comes to vital test equipment components, Apex Waves maintains a large inventory of previously used, calibrated, and quality tested parts that are available and ready to ship. Because of this, important parts remain accessible for the industries and businesses that need them most.

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Test Equipment Display Types

Displaying readings on an analog scale, where the digital characters are printed on the scale in the different locations that the pointer swings is not an issue. But, putting digits on a digital readout where different digits must share the same location, is more difficult. Three ways have been used: the solid character, the dot matrix, and the bar segments. The solid character can be the most pleasing way of displaying digits, but it is problematic since they must all share the same space. This was the way the servo wheels worked, and electrically, it was done with Nixie tubes. These used ten transparent in-line wafers enclosed in neon gas. Each wafer had electrodes in the shape of numerals, which glowed when the wafer was electrified. Although the unused wafers were still discernible while one wafer glowed, it was tolerable. The Nixie tube was used for years and can still be found on special equipment. However, this method is costly and the tubes are fragile.

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NI Releases New 5G Radio Test Equipment

The ongoing transformation of existing cellular communication networks to fully operational 5G status seems to be progressing at a snail’s pace. Of course, when users dream of the promised data streaming speeds with virtually no latency and comprehensive coverage, it cannot happen fast enough. 5G absolutely has the potential to unleash a veritable new industrial revolution, as well as improved communications on every level.

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