PC-based standards on the front lines in ATE

PC-based standards on the front lines in ATE

The modular PXI and PCIe standards continue to meet today’s needs for automated test and inspection equipment. In a January 2020 report, ResearchAndMarket.com stated, “In the long term, open and modular test solutions such as PXI will gain higher traction for meeting the gaps in testing needs for flexible and cost-efficient testing. Vendors will need to focus on addressing the need for high-volume, multisite, and high-parallelism testing needs while simultaneously lowering the overall testing cost for end users to achieve strong growth.”

Below are some recent offerings in the PXI and PCIe arenas:

Next-generation integrated network analyzers

Keysight Technology Inc.'s new E5080B, P50xxA Series, and M980xA Series network analyzers deliver next generation features and performance in benchtop, USB, and PXI form factors. These new analyzers combine built-in pulse generators and modulators, spectrum analysis, and time-domain analysis in a single instrument—to save time by fully characterizing modern devices without the need for additional test hardware. They enable customers to simplify test setups that can be quickly reconfigured and calibrated, minimize maintenance and downtime, accelerate test times, enhance accuracy, and customize hardware to easily adapt to future test requirements. Measurement application software include automatic fixture removal, time-domain and spectrum analysis, as well as basic pulsed-RF, scalar mixer/converter, and gain-compression measurement. Keysight Technologies Inc.

Beamforming/5G production test solution

Marvin Test Solutions Inc. has introduced its TS960e-5G production test system for mmWave devices used in 5G applications and networks. The system is currently fielded and proven in a Quad-Site production configuration supporting test frequencies up to 50 GHz. Based on the flexible and scalable PXIe modular platform, the TS-960e-5G provides a compact integrated test solution that can be configured with up to 24 independent VNA channels, up to 256 dynamic digital channels with per-channel parametric measurement units (PMUs), and a wide range of digital and analog instrument options. The TS-960e-5G offers users a compact test system that can support both functional and DC parametric test capabilities. It is available with 5G software tools and with a digital vector conversion utility that supports ASCII, WGL, STIL, VCD, eVCD and ATP vector formats. Designed for production test applications requiring integration with an automated handler, the TS-960e-5G is available with an inTEST manipulator that provides precise positioning of the test head and the flexibility to interface to automated probers and device handlers. The TS-960e-5G's device interface board (DIB) / receiver interface is designed to be compatible with virtually any device handler. Marvin Test Solutions

Mid-range imaging computer

Matrox Imaging has launched the Matrox Supersight Uno, an expandable mid-range industrial PC (IPC) in the Matrox Supersight series of vision controllers. With seven PCIe slots accepting full-height, full-length cards, Matrox Supersight Uno offers maximal I/O capabilities plus direct interfacing with GigE Vision and USB3 Vision cameras. The seven third-generation PCIe expansion slots in the Matrox Supersight Uno support the full range of expansion cards from one to 16 lanes. Supported expansion cards include Matrox Imaging frame grabbers—offering comprehensive support for standard camera and video interfaces such as Camera Link, CoaXPress, DisplayPort, HDMI, and SDI—and third-party boards including high-end graphics cards. An integrated motherboard delivers all the connectivity of the Matrox Supersight Solo, but at a lower price point. Enhanced system reliability and maintenance comes via quick-release, hot-swappable drive bays with RAID support. Moreover, this vision controller easily powers multiple expansion boards—with its robust 600 W power supply. With a durable steel construction and 4U rack-mount chassis, the Matrox Supersight Uno supports both horizontal and vertical mounting. Matrox Supersight Uno comes pre-installed with Microsoft Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2019 and Matrox Imaging Library (MIL) software. Matrox Imaging

0.5-A large PXI matrix modules have up to 6,144 crosspoints

Pickering 40 558 Pr Pic Sept 2019 5d6fc1c08cfdb

Pickering Interfaces has launched a new 0.5-A ultrahigh-density PXI matrix module family that delivers up to 6,144 crosspoints. With a switching density 39% higher than competing devices, the 40-558 allows a complete functional ATE system to be housed in a single 3U PXI chassis, and the integrated BRIC design saves on valuable chassis slots, compared to standard PXI matrix modules. Part of Pickering Interfaces’ BRIC large PXI Matrices range, the new 40-558 modules are available in 2-, 4-, or 8-slot widths for matrix sizes between 64x16 and 1,008x6. The modules are fitted with ruthenium-sputtered reed relays—manufactured by sister company Pickering Electronics—which feature a long life with good low-level switching performance and contact resistance stability. Automatic isolation relay switching maximizes bandwidth and reliability. Spare relays are included with the module to facilitate easy maintenance with minimum downtime. The BRIC’s internal high-performance screened analog backplane minimizes the complexity and cost of cable assemblies; Pickering has a range of standard cables available for the 40-558 and can construct custom cables for all its PXI modules. A choice of 6, 8, 12 and 16 pole analog bus widths and dual analog bus options are available. Pickering Interfaces

Radx Trifecta 4 M 2 Px Ie Ssd Module 5ce813aa46529

Trifecta family of COTS PXIe SSD RAID modules RADX Technologies’ Trifecta-SSD family of COTS, PXIe (and CPCIe), single-slot, NVMe SSD RAID modules are optimized for wideband, high-speed, data recording, playback, and storage applications. Trifecta-SSDs were developed to address long duration, multi-mission, wideband record and playback requirements in a single PXIe slot, while at the same remaining affordable. Trifecta-SSD’s PCIe Gen 3 x8 architecture combines four or eight M.2 NVMe SSDs in a single-slot PXIe/CPCIe module that supports 8, 16, or 31TB, which is 2-to-8 times greater than other single-slot SSD RAID modules. Optimized for wideband RF/IF applications, Trifecta-SSD modules can sustain 6.9 GB/Sec sequential write performance and > 7 GB/Sec sequential read performance (depending on configuration and application).Trifecta-SSD Modules are designed to comply with key standards including RoHS, FCC Part 15 Subpart B, Class A, CE and MIL-PRF-28800F. Trifecta-SSD Modules support 64-bit Windows operating systems and select Linux distributions upon request. They are priced at $6,999 (8TB), $13,999 (16TB) and $19,999 (31TB). RADX Technologies