Instrumentation IV: Have instrument, will travel: Be the readout analog, digital, CRT, or hard copy, ¿portable¿ and ¿performance¿ are now in the same package

Once upon a time, remote troubleshooting consisted of curiosity, courage, and the judicious application of two moistened fingertips. But field engineers, servicemen, and others who must work ¿on location¿ ¿ as opposed to the controlled environment of a well-stocked lab ¿ have constantly demanded rugged, manageable, and accurate test equipment. To this need, the integrated circuit, coupled with digital readouts and improved battery packs, has brought a welcome revolution. Oscilloscopes, function generators, strip chart recorders, spectrum analyzers, as well as vastly improved volt-ohm milliammeters, are now ready to go wherever the problems are. And variety doesn´t stop with these familiar items. New types of instruments such as a portable digital thermometer, which measures surface temperatures without physical contact, have helped turn difficult and costly analysis into routine field checks. In fact, the best perspective on current progress and future trends is gained from a good look at some currently successful and recently announced portable instruments.