AIM announces the new family of USB (Universal Serial Bus) based products for laboratory, field test and data loading applications. The all new USB based APU429-x and APU1553-x modules are implemented in shirt-pocket sized boxes which can easily connect to various types of computer systems via USB ports. The industry standard USB2.0 interface provides a high-speed connection between the APU429-x/ APU1553-x modules and host computer feeding the supply voltage such that no external power adapter is required. A 'Hot Plug' capability is incorporated to maximise ease of use.

Marco Maier, lead hardware design engineer for the new USB based module family tells us: "USB2.0 connections are available on almost any computer system, so test engineers no longer have to dedicate a host platform for their ARINC429 or MIL-STD-1553 requirements by using our APU429-x/ APU1553-x modules."

The APU429-x & APU1553-x USB boxes offer all the reliability, quality and functionality AIM customers have come to expect in one handy sized box. The APU429-x is available in configurations with 4, 8 or 16 channels whilst the APU1553-x is offered with one or two dual redundant MIL-STD-1553 streams.

Key features include Protocol Error Injection/ Detection, Multi Level Triggering and Filtering, Real Time Recording (all channels with 100% load) and Synchronised Bus Replay. All APU modules support up to 8 discrete input/ output signals to be monitored or generated. An onboard high-precision 'free wheeling' IRIG-B time encoder/ decoder allows users to accurately synchronise single or multiple APU modules to a common time source. Included with the box is the common Application Programming Interface so users can write their own dedicated test routines and applications.

The powerful and Industry standard PBA.proTM Databus Test & Analysis Tool (for Windows & Linux) or the legacy PAA-429/ PBA-2000/ ParaView Databus Analyser/ Visualiser Software (for Windows) can be optionally purchased for use with APU429-x/ APU1553-x boxes.