TSEP has been building customized measuring devices in small series for its customers for over 15 years now. These custom-made products are characterized by optimum implementation of the measurement scenario, high reliability and optimum integration into the customer-specific measurement setup. In order to implement these solutions effectively and cost-effectively, TSEP developed a modular system in 2019, which is now being presented under the name Themis. TSEP offers the two model variants “Themis” and “Themis Individual”.
The concept for “Themis” is to give TSEP’s customers maximum freedom with regard to the measurement task and to be able to implement it quickly and cost-effectively. The customer can draw on a wide range of existing hardware and software components for the individual configuration of Themis, which is intended both as a desktop solution for the measuring laboratory and for use in a 19-inch rack. TSEP can also develop customized components for highly specialized measurement tasks. The modular concept of Themis is based on a versatile and flexibly interchangeable plug-in card system. In addition to standard cards such as power supply or CPU board, any modules such as network switches, offline data acquisition cards or IEEE 1588 cards can be used. In addition, Themis can be equipped with a PXI backplane, so that a wide range of standardized PXI measurement components, such as digitizers, oscilloscopes and network analyzers, are available. This also enables the integration of existing measuring components. The customer therefore has the freedom to customize his measurement and test system and can expand it at any time.
Themis software supports the SCPI protocol commonly used in measurement technology (via LAN with TCP/IP or HiSlip1.0/2.0). In addition, IVI drivers can be provided to run Themis using LabView or other test systems. TSEP specializes in the creation of customized measurement software for test systems that can process, visualize and store the recorded data. This means that customers can implement their own measurement sequences via SCPI or IVI or have complex measurement software created by TSEP.
The purely customer-specific solutions “Themis Individual” consist 100% of individual measurement hardware and software components that are developed specifically for the customer. The basis for “Themis Individual” is formed by standard components, such as the proprietary TSEP µC operating system, standardized communication with the measurement hardware, for example via USB, with SCPI via LAN and HiSlip or via IVI driver, as well as the processing or visualization of the measurement data for the customer. By using the open modular system, special requirements, such as supplying the measuring hardware via vehicle electrical systems or operation in unusual environments, can be taken into account and implemented.
In March 2020, the first Themis Individuell development was handed over to a German customer. Appropriate measuring hardware was developed for a special task. In addition, the required software connection (LabView and Diadem driver, measurement software) was developed. The individual system is designed for any special application that is too large or too small for a 19″ rack or is not intended for a 19″ rack. The advantages that such a system offers over a PXI system are easy to explain. The customer usually wants a device for a highly specialized measurement task/data acquisition/data processing. Based on Themis, corresponding measurement hardware can be developed, usually in small series. Since not all features defined in the PXI standard have to be supported, but only the company’s own (open) standard is used, the development costs for the individual measurement hardware can be kept low, which ultimately benefits the customer. If the customer wishes to use additional PXI cards for standard measurement tasks, the PXI backplane is available to the customer at any time.
