Instrumentation: Ingenuity abounds: Trends: In-field diagnostics, in-plant and in-process testing, and smarter portables

They are labeled logic state analyzers, timing analyzers, multitesters, signature analyzers, and in-circuit emulators, and they have one thing in common: they diagnose electronic-equipment faults rapidly. Service troubleshooters with only a minimum of training use them to make repairs in the field (Fig. 1). These diagnostic instruments have been made “smart” by microprocessor technology. This is one trend in instrumentation.