Rohde & Schwarz announced LXI-validated spectrum analyzers (R&S FSL, R&S FSQ and R&S FSx family). They meet the class C specifications defined in the LXI standard. The company is a member of the Board of Directors of the LXI Consortium and promotes the development of the standard. The Munich company will host the next Plug Fest at the end of April, which will be held for the first time outside the USA.

LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation (LXI) combines LAN technology with tried-and-tested standards such as TCP/IP, UDP, web browser and interchangeable virtual instrumentation (IVI) drivers. Rohde & Schwarz has been using LAN interfaces in its measuring instruments for a long time. The expert in radiocommunications and T&M supports the open LXI standard because it simplifies the integration of modular test systems. LXI-compatible instruments are especially suitable for use in the aerospace, defense and telecommunications sectors.

The LXI class C specification defines a uniform, interoperable LAN implementation. Since the LAN standard is downward compatible with previous versions, it protects existing investments. Furthermore, systems distributed via LAN can be implemented with a virtually unlimited number of users. Equipped with an integrated web server, LXI instruments can be easily configured via a uniform web browser interface. They are programmed by means of standardized IVI drivers whose interoperability allows uniform driving of the instruments. Measurement instruments can thus be integrated in test systems more easily and are easily exchangeable.

The Precision Timing Protocol of the IEEE1588 standard ensures that LXI-validated instruments in accordance with class B also offer highly precise time synchronization between the individual distributed modules. In addition to class B and C functions, LXI instruments of class A come with an eight-channel hardware trigger interface, which allows instruments to be connected either in a bus or star configuration.