Knowledge-Base
Ethernet/LXI Platform
The digitizerNETBOX/generator/hybridNETBOX is a remote solution that is connected by Ethernet suiting the LXI standard. The NETBOX products can be used as bench-top instrument directly connected to a laptop or desktop PC or as 19 instrument connected to the company LAN and accessible from anywhere.
Ethernet
The standard (RJ-45) Ethernet connection is the standard world-wide for local area networks (LAN). Ethernet was first standardized in 1985 and is still being improved. Ethernet networks can be as small as a network of two components (a Laptop and a digitizerNETBOX for example) and can as well cover 1000s of different components connected by switches and routers covering hundreds of meters of distance.
The Ethernet physical layer is defined for speeds between 10 MBit and 100 GBit. The most common forms used are 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T. The Spectrum digitizerNETBOX products are equipped with GBit Ethernet (1000BASE-T). Different Ethernet components auto negotiate a connection speed that is supported by both connected devices.
LXI
LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation (LXI) is a standard developed by the LXI Consortium, an industry consortium that maintains the LXI specification, promotes the LXI Standard, and ensures interoperability. The LXI standard defines the communication protocols for instrumentation and data acquisition systems using Ethernet.
The Spectrum platform is fully LXI compliant (following Core 2011 Specifications) and offers an IVI compatible interface for the IVI Scope and Digitizer classes.
Components of the NETBOX products
Each digitizerNETBOX consists of some standard components:
- Robust metal chassis with 19 rack mount option
- Embedded proven Spectrum Digitizer and/or AWG hardware
- Embedded Controller running a remote server
- Embedded Webpages for configuration, maintenance, updates and information
- GBit Ethernet Connection
- BNC or SMA connectors on front panel (custom front panels available)