Pickering Interfaces announced today that a major UK manufacturer of aircraft engine control units recently awarded them a contract for a large quantity of High-Density PXI Multiplexers (model #40-651) as the switching solution for use in its new automated production test systems. These systems will be used to test FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Controller) lightning-strike protection components on Airbus’ A330 and A350 as well as Boeing’s Dreamliner aircraft.
The customer needed to test the transient-voltage-suppression diodes, or transorbs, used to protect the FADEC’s sensitive electronics from very fast voltage spikes induced on connected wires following a lightning strike on the aircraft. Due to the quantity of transorbs that needed to be tested 
(one on every I/O connection of the FADEC), a large number of high-power multiplexers were required to connect the UUT to the test instrumentation.
The customer required a compact, modular test architecture for scalability and ease of maintenance and selected PXI as their preferred platform. With no high-density PXI multiplexers of the required performance commercially available, the customer approached Pickering (a preferred PXI switch supplier) to discuss their options.
If you have an application that demands products that are not available off the shelf, then contact us with your requirements. We have considerable in-house experience designing custom systems and can design solutions for specialized applications.
Our custom solutions fall into the following categories:
- Modifications of Existing Switch Cards
Many customers require relatively minor modifications to standard switching cards. Most of our switching systems have been designed with flexibility in mind; for example, choice of relay or connector types. Many of these modifications can be done at little or no added cost.
- New Design Modules & Devices
We will consider the design and construction of custom switching systems for PXI and LXI based switching solutions.
- Custom Cable Assemblies
Most switching systems require special cabling that is most often provided by the end user. Pickering has considerable experience in providing cables and connectors, especially in difficult RF, Optic or high-density applications. You can see more on our connection solutions here >>
Feel free to contact us for any custom requirements you may have and we will be happy to work with you.
Is there a better platform to use for switching in automated test systems? The answer is no, both the LXI and the PXI standards bring different advantages and disadvantages depending on what the user is trying to accomplish. 
