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WinSoft offers the best price-performance obsolescence solutions in the market. Our products/tools and services are used by the DoD, Agilent Technologies and all major Mil/Aero companies.
Currently, we have the biggest install base of test instruments obsolescence solutions.
• Replacement of instruments WITHOUT software changes - More...
• Replacement of CPU (HP1000 family & PDP-11) without software changes - More...
• Retrofitting and reverse engineering of legacy system
US NAVY – SPAWAR - Case Study
January 2005
BACKGROUND
Santa Ana, CA – WinSoft Corporation, a global provider for Test and Measurement obsolescence solutions, has responded to an increasing problem of T&M Automatic Tester by successfully installing more than 25 units at SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego. The WinSoft Instrument System Emulator, presents a form, fit, and function replacement for legacy systems (i.e. CASS, Grumman) for obsolete test instruments. The 1U unit is located between the computer/CPU and the new instrument(s). No changes to the software (TPSs) are required. In addition, 4 legacy HP1000 computers were replaced with WinSoft’s COBRA 1000, again, without any software changes.
The module can translate/emulate different instruments (i.e. Signal Generator, DMM, Spectrum Analyzer) therefore, it is the only interchangeable generic solution in the market for ANY instrument (including synthetic instruments), ANY programming language and ANY communication protocol. A Built-in Web server enables remote upgrades, instrument swap and worldwide support.
During phase-one of this replacement-process, WinSoft upgraded 2 Testers. In each Tester the following instruments have been replaced: (a) HP6942 Multi-Programmer including the HP59500A (b) HP3495A Scanner (c) Mantech International Interface Device. The replacement made use of the above technology and utilized a variety of PXI modules (see picture below):
During the second phase, the following instruments were replaced
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Old Instrument
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New Instrument
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Racal DMM 6000S4599
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Agilent 3458A
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HP 8160 Pulse Generator
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Agilent 81104A
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Racal Counter 9035-11A
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Agilent 53132A with 3GHz Channel (Option 030)
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HP 8663 Signal Generator
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Agilent 8648C with the following Options:
- Hi-Output Power Option
- Modulation Generator Option
- High-Stability Option
- Pulse modulation Option
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HP 8568 Spectrum Analyzer
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Agilent E4402
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HP1000 Computer
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WinSoft - COBRA 1000 System
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SCHEDULE
Phase-I lasted for 4-5 months (including replacement of all the testers cables and RF switches), while phase II took 4 months.
PRICE
SPAWAR Systems Center San Diego, Systems Support Engineering Division, calculated a saving of $2,200,000 during phase I and saving of more than $6,000,000 during phase II. This calculation is based on the DoD cost should there be a need for re-writing and re-validation of more than 100 TPSs. In addition, future savings can be achieved by simple duplication of the emulation units. Moreover, the down time of the station that utilizes this technology went from 50% to less than 2%.
Calculation of our installed base shows a saving of more than $20 million to all customers that used this and the COBRA technologies (FY 2004).
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