August 10, 2012 -- Modern measurement is today a far cry from its humble beginnings defined by such notable accomplishments as the cathode-ray-tube-based oscilloscope and a resistance-capacity audio oscillator built in a Palo Alto garage. Since that time, measurement has evolved to more accurately address the needs of the electronics industry.

The popularity of computer-aided engineering (CAE) in the 1980s, utilizing early "personal computers," furthered the evolution. By integrating CAE with measurement systems, designers were able to produce substantially more-accurate device-simulation models. This accuracy proved crucial to delivering the productivity gains required by industry. Today though, the increasingly complex nature of modern defense- and commercial communications-based designs is forcing a new evolution: The marrying of both electronic design automation (EDA) tools and processes with measurement for system-level design and verification.

By P.K. Lam. (Lam is EEsof territory manager, Agilent Technologies Canada.)