A survey of electronic measurement needs below 10 MHz
John R Sorrells · 1987
This report presents the results of a survey conducted by the Center for Electronics and Electrical Engineering to assess the measurement needs of the electronics industry at frequencies from dc to 10 MHz.The purpose of the survey was to obtain information that can be used in planning and implementing NBS programs to develop new or improved calibration services or measurement methods to support industry needs. In conducting the survey, the Center received cooperation and assistance from the following organizations: the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurements Society, the Electronic Industries Association, the National Conference of Standards Laboratories, the American Physical Society, and the Instrument Society of America.These organizations provided comments and suggestions on the survey questionnaire, and/or provided membership mailing lists for use in soliciting survey participation.The survey vehicle was a seven-part questionnaire that elicited information regarding (1) the respondent's type of organization or business, (2) the principal reasons for needing NBS measurement support, (3) the measurement needs for critical electrical quantities, (4) the usage and support of measuring instruments or devices, (5) needs related to automatic test equipment or complex measurement systems, (6) concerns with conducted electromagnetic interference, and ( 7) the effectiveness of mechanisms for communicating or interacting with NBS.Space was also provided for the respondents to enter "other" responses or provide additional comments if desired.Questionnaires were returned by a total of 527 respondents, representing most segments of the electronics industry.The largest number of responses came from organizations involved with test equipment or instruments, followed by aerospace organizations, and independent test, repair, or calibration service organizations.The largest percentage of respondents indicated that their organizations need NBS measurement support to meet government requirements.However, there was a strong expression of need for NBS assistance to support R&D and other production-related activities.The responses to Section C of the questionnaire indicated that the measurement of many of the more basic quantities such as voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, frequency, etc., were of critical importance and that new/improved measurement methods or NBS calibration services are needed for many quantities already supported by NBS measurement services.Further study is planned to determine the implications of these responses.Also in Section C, 33% of the respondents indicated that they were familiar with the NBS calibration services described in NBS Special Publication 250 and 51% indicated that their organizations use such services.iii The responses to Section D of the questionnaire regarding the usage and need for support of measuring instruments or devices correlates well with those regarding electrical quantities.Those instruments or devices involved in the measurement of basic quantities ranked high on the usage list.Also, many of the instruments were perceived to require new or improved characterization methods or NBS calibration services.Responses to the questions regarding the respondents' involvement with automatic test equipment or complex measurement systems and with conducted electromagnetic interference indicate that these are important technical areas needing NBS support.In particular, there is a strong expression of needs for practical support such as calibration and test guides, documented measurement methods, definitions and terminology, and characterization/measurement techniques in these areas.The four communication means used most by the respondents to obtain information on NBS programs and services were indicated to be NBS reports/ special publications, journal publications, conf erences/workshops/seminars , and specific requests.Others such as staff interactions, media releases, and technical committees were ranked somewhat less important.For each of the listed communication means, some percentage of the respondents indicated a need for improvement.A final question of the survey asked if NBS has provided the necessary support when requested by the respondent's organization.There were 259 responses to this question, with 92% affirmative answers.Twenty-seven percent of the respondents provided additional comments regarding specific measurement needs or general metrology-related issues.A common theme in these comments was the need to learn more about NBS services, programs, and activities.The appendices of this report include a copy of the survey questionnaire, a listing of the responding organizations, lists of various "other" responses, and histograms of the responses regarding measurement requirements (accuracy vs. frequency or time) for the electrical quantities listed in the questionnaire.Essentially all of the data derived from the survey are tabulated and presented either in the body of the report or in the appendices.The results of this survey will be provided to all participants and made available to other interested parties.Internally, the results will be used to plan NBS programs and establish priorities for responding to the measurement needs of the electronics industry.