Automated Switch System Platforms Explained

Switching systems are at the heart of most electronic test systems, but with many different switch platforms on the market, which is the best architecture to use?
 
Modular systems present a cost effective, flexible architecture that can address a wide range of switch topologies and signal types. A modular architecture also facilitates system scalability and maintainability. PXI is the predominant open-architecture modular platform, enabling test engineers to readily mix and match a variety of instrumentation and switching modules from multiple suppliers in a single chassis, offering high performance, unrivalled choice and the longevity assured by an industry-standard platform. But PXI is very dependent upon Windows and the PCI/PCIe buses. Several vendors offer proprietary modular systems based on LXI (Ethernet) and USB, which offer the flexibility and scalability advantages of PXI but with a simpler control interface and potentially lower cost – but you are tied to a single vendor and have much less choice of modules.
 
PXI and proprietary modular systems usually have a small form factor that can limit the density of a switching solution, thereby constraining the application suitability. LXI, however, focuses purely on the communication interface and has no specific form factor. That means that LXI-based switching systems can also address larger, more challenging requirements. In these cases, the platform can still be modular to facilitate scalability and repair but will be dedicated to a specific function.  
 
As you can see, one architecture does not fit all - but nothing prevents you from mixing switching platforms in a test system to optimize its effectiveness.

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