2017 - An exciting year for new switching solutions!
Take a look below for the new products that were introduced in 2017. Because of our diverse customer base, we frequently develop new products to satisfy specific requests from customers, the benefit being that your business can also take advantage of these developments to help reduce costs and speed time to market.
Have a specific requirement yourself? Please feel free to contact us with your technical requirements.
Don’t forget to scroll down to see the additional switching resources we have added this year, including videos, success stories, white papers and more.
Ultra-High-Density Scalable PXI & LXI 1Amp Switch Matrices
Robust and Reliable 1Amp Switching for High-performance Matrix Requirements
With the introduction of the two switch matrix solutions below, we answered your request for new levels of density and power, adding to our reputation for reliable, high-density switching solutions. Both the PXI & LXI versions feature:
- 1A switching at similar densities to current 0.25Amp, 0.3Amp or 0.5Amp high-density matrix solutions, providing more robust and reliable switching in the same footprint.
- Multiple analog buses allow parallel testing, enabling efficient testing of multiple DUTs
- A wide choice of analog bus widths: 4, 6, 8, 12, 16 and 32
- Typical applications include Automotive & Aerospace/Defense ECU and Semiconductor Wafer Test
The first are our Scalable LXI Ethernet Reed Relay Matrix Solutions (65-2xx), originally designed to test Semiconductors at wafer and package levels. These Reed Relay solutions combine our latest LXI Chassis (model 65-200) with our new 1Amp switching matrix plug-in range—providing access to all signal connections on 200-pin connectors. The plug-ins are constructed using Pickering Electronics’ Reed Relays which offer maximum performance and reliability as well as very fast operate times.
An important feature of these Matrix platforms is the built-in scan list sequence stores with triggering capability that significantly reduce test times. This feature provides users with the ability to set a series of pre-determined switch sequences in the LXI Matrix, the sequences can then be triggered by software or one of the sixteen DIO software configurable open collector triggers. The Matrices also feature multi-bus capability for parallel testing.
The next are our BRIC™ Ultra-High-Density PXI Matrix Modules (40-559), which offer robust and reliable switching for existing matrix applications. These 1A switch matrices have similar switch densities to current 0.25A - 0.5A PXI reed relay high-density matrix solutions, making them ideal for upgrading lower current modules that may have experienced reliability issues due to their inferior "hot" switching capability.
These 1Amp/20W switching modules offer up to 4,096 crosspoints, are available in 2, 4, or 8-slot PXI sizes and are designed for high-performance matrix requirements.
Constructed with Pickering Electronics’ new 4mm x 4mm Reed Relays, which have the highest packing density currently available, these BRIC PXI matrices now have twice the density of any competing large matrix module for 1Amp switching in PXI.
Like most of our switching products, both of these matrix solutions are supported by our large range of Connectivity Solutions, Diagnostic Test Tools and Switch Path Manager Software.
4-slot USB/LXI Modular Chassis
The new 4-slot USB/LXI Modular Chassis complements our 2016 debuted 2-slot version in that they both offer a small, lightweight form/factor ideal for portable, bench-top and space restrictive applications. This new 4-slot chassis supports between one and four of our 3U PXI modules. Possible systems include switching matrices up to 2208 crosspoints or up to 72 channels of programmable resistor/sensor simulation.
These chassis are designed for desk or rack mounting and feature remote control via USB or LXI Ethernet. Remote control over a network enables the switching function of a test system to be located as close as possible to the target equipment.
Both the 2-slot chassis and the 4-slot chassis are USB 3 compatible and have a fully compliant LXI interface. These communications standards enable the chassis to be controlled directly through standard interfaces found on most personal computers and tablets that support HTML5, allowing for a very practical route into a variety of applications in the modular test and measurement market.
Expanded PXI Multiplexer Families
We believe that it is important to not only to create and add new products to our existing range, but also expand and make improvements to the products we already have. Your requirements are continuously changing with the evolving Test & Measurement industry. We know it is important to keep up with this evolution to ensure we are providing our best products possible. Take a look at our expanded families...
We started the year by expanding our High-Density 2 Amp PXI Multiplexers (40-614 family). These are available in 20 different configurations, designed for signal routing in Automatic Test Equipment (ATE) and data acquisition systems. The range uses high-quality electromechanical signal relays allowing each channel to switch current up to 2 Amps and voltage up to 200VDC/140VAC.
These PXI Multiplexers may be operated as conventional multiplexers with break-before-make action when a new channel is selected. In addition, multiple channels may be simultaneously selected on the 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32-pole versions. Large multiplexers may be constructed by daisy-chaining the common signals from multiple PXI modules.
We also expanded our PXI Microwave Multiplexers (model 40-785B family) with new 50GHz versions. These new modules are single or dual 6-channel multiplexers with relays mounted on the front panel and are suitable for switching 50Ω signals up to 50GHz. The single slot version can support up to three remotely mounted multiplexers. All options comprise LEDs to indicate channel setting, a feature widely supported in earlier rack and stack solutions.
This microwave multiplexer range is compatible with any PXI chassis and can be fitted to PXI hybrid slots in a PXIe chassis. It can also be used in our Ethernet controlled LXI modular chassis with a choice of 18 and 7 slots, as well as the new 2-slot and 4-slot USB/LXI chassis for remote mount relay requirements.
We will continue to develop new switching solutions and expand our existing products in 2018 just as we have done this past year, so be on the lookout for the next release.