Companies have developed high-speed data acquisition (DAQ) cards and claimed that they are applicable for military radar, supersonic, digital broadcast signal analysis, or inkjet cartridge system testing applications. DAQ cards have sampling rates of 20-100 MS/s, a bandwidth of 30-60MHz, and the ability to provide simultaneous software-selectable multigroup analog signal inputs to meet the demands of these applications. However, published examples of DAQ cards employed in these applications are scarce. For this reason, this article will use ADLINK Technology’s PXI-9820, their latest high-speed DAQ card, as a model to detail possible uses in wireless LAN (WLAN) development and all aspects of mass production testing equipment.
Why WLAN? Several of Taiwan’s leading wireless broadband solution providers predict a huge growth for 2005. Gemtek, forecasted approximately 90% of notebook computers sold in 2005 will include WLAN modules. They go on to state that the 802.11g will replace the standard module, 8.02.11a+g, in the second quarter with an expected output of 20-25 million units for the entire year.? CyberTAN Technology has also stated 25 million units will sell in 2005. And Global Sun Technology, after merging with Cameo, has estimated that it will sell eight million units. These figures suggest an enormous growth potential for WLAN products and the largest market share will be won by the company that bring their products to market the quickest. Therefore, companies must ensure two things: