My recent column Prediction: Microwave coming to PXI – big time! has caused the most essential engineering question to be asked of me, “Are there any measurement limits to modular instruments, such as those in PXI or AXIe?” Or, put another way, is there some frequency too high or signal too small that a modular instrument can’t make the measurement?

A frequency too high? No. A signal too small? No.

In my column here, I explain how engineers have destroyed the predictions of modular instrument limitations. Other than power constraints due to finite air cooling of modules, there are very few true technical barriers to modular instrumentation. You can thank an engineer for that.