Category : Measurement, test and control instrumentations > Software and development tools for measurement, test and control

PRINT

BACK

Modular Unit Gives Design Verification and Test Engineers Flexibility to Create Custom, Accurate Test Systems

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 20, 2004, Autotestcon, Booth No. 305 -- Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today introduced the industry’s lowest-cost, highest-performance alternative to modular test and measurement systems such as VXI and PXI switch/measure platforms. The Agilent 34980A multifunction switch/measure unit offers the broadest range of core switch/measure functionality as an alternative to VXI and PXI at a price up to 40 percent less than comparable switch and measurement platforms. Engineers building design verification and test systems in the electronics, automotive, aerospace/defence, medical and computer industries now have the flexibility to create accurate test systems suited to their needs and budget.

“Our customers are always looking for ways to lower the cost and time of test without compromising performance and functionality,” said Scott Sampl, vice president and general manager of Agilent’s Basic, Emerging and Systems Technology division. “During preliminary testing, we received a lot of positive feedback from our users worldwide. Many of them have said the broad range of switch/measure functionality combined with the attractive price point are the main reasons they are moving from the more expensive modular architectures of VXI and PXI to our more cost-effective and flexible product offering.”

The Agilent 34980A unit is optimised for medium- to high-density switch/measure applications in design verification, automated test and data acquisition. The eight-slot mainframe contains core switch, measurement and system-control features in an expandable and reconfigurable system. The unit’s 19 plug-in modules offer a broad range of functionality with low-frequency, RF and microwave switching to 20 GHz, digital I/O and digital-to-analog converters, and counter/totaliser capabilities. Its built-in 6.5-digit digital multimetre (DMM) enables measurement signals to be routed directly to the DMM without consuming a slot in the modular platform, eliminating the need for additional instruments in the test system.

The new multifunction switch/measure unit supports USB, LAN and GPIB standards for simple connection to a PC, other system-ready instruments, or to a network for access across an engineering workgroup. For example, engineers can use the Ethernet connection and the unit’s graphical Web interface to remotely access and control the instrument. This enables engineers to monitor a test setup; open, close and scan switches; and troubleshoot an application via a standard Web browser.

The multifunction switch/measure modules allow engineers to use standard, off-the-shelf shielded cables to easily connect test signals from the instrument to the device under test or other test points. The unit can accommodate up to 560 two-wire multiplexer channels or 1,024 two-wire matrix cross points in a single mainframe. For higher-density applications, the four two-wire analog buses can be extended via a connector on the rear of the mainframe.

List of all articles from this supplier

- 88000 Series ATS-620 Array Test System
- IGS-8210 Test System Designed to Reduce Mobile Phone Manufacturing
- Agilent Technologies Introduces Industry-First Digital Vector Signal Analysis Measurement Solutions
- Agilent Technologies Introduces High-Performance Low-Frequency Precision LCR Metre
- Agilent Technologies Releases Industry's First Signal Creation Capability for 802.16e Mobile WiMAX Applications
- Agilent Technologies produces N6030 Series of Arbitrary Waveform Generators

List of all articles from this supplier

List of articles in this sub-category

- PPE optimal tool designed to control system projects
- TF Equation software for the management of the PLCs signals
- Gemini odor quality control analyzer
- AltoSoft Framework Toolkits
- AltoSoft Production Test Software
- ARM7™/CoreMP7 development tool evaluation

List of all articles in this sub-category Software and development tools for measurement, test and control

List of all articles in this sub-categoryList of all articles in this sub-categoryList of all articles in this sub-category