Called the RedRat-X, this new product is a hybrid/cross device that can be controlled via USB or LAN, and enables manufacturers to simulate IR and RF remote control units (RCUs) simultaneously as an increased number of consumer electronics products include RF technology as standard.
Other new features include a high powered IR blaster with controllable IR output power, additional IR output ports for plug-in IR emitters and feedback via multicolour LEDs. The new device can also be used in conjunction with RedRat’s recently developed RF modules (currently supporting RF4CE or Bluetooth) to facilitate mixed infrared and RF control in testing environments with heterogeneous banks of equipment.
Just like its predecessor, RedRat-X can be used as a standalone solution (usually for proof of concept purposes before purchasing other RedRat testing products), with RedRat’s own testing and automation software, or it can be integrated with third party testing systems to form part of an integrated testing solution.
RedRat products are extensively used by set-top box and consumer electronics/home entertainment system manufacturers in more than 40 countries worldwide to automate routine stress testing processes of end-user interactions.
RedRat-X will be fully compatible with Test Manager, the company’s proprietary test scripting tool, developed originally to simplify and automate DTV testing processes for the BBC. Test Manager also offers enhanced Python-based scripting and offers backward compatibility with all previous product versions.
“RedRat-X will allow our existing customers to migrate to RF-based testing environments as more and more devices include RF technology as standard. The TV industry remains in a state of flux as far as the development of low power radio communication is concerned with no common patterns emerging for RF technology, so our products can effectively deliver the linking piece of hardware needed to communicate with multiple STBs using different types of protocol.”