The Pickering 50-670A is a PCI Very High Density Multiplexer Card designed for signal routing in Automated Test Equipment (ATE) and data acquisition systems. It shares the same architecture as the PXI 40-670A module.
Function Description
The 50-670A card is an array of up to 101 ruthenium sputtered reed relays, factory configured into one of eleven different multiplexer configurations. In its default state, all multiplexer channels are open circuit. Energizing a particular channel creates a signal path between the common terminal and the corresponding channel terminal. For multiple pole versions, all poles within a channel are enabled simultaneously.
A key feature of the 50-670A is its built-in automatic isolation switching, available in 1, 2, and 4-pole configurations. This mechanism connects only the currently active multiplexer bank to the analogue common, thereby minimizing capacitive loading and leakage current in large multiplexer systems. This design is particularly beneficial for constructing larger multiplexers by daisy-chaining common signals from multiple cards.
The card is powered by +3.3V and +5V inputs via the PCI edge connector (J2). User test equipment interfaces through a front panel mounted 200-pin LFH connector (J1). The relays are energized by control signals from relay drivers (U8 to U15), which are addressed by the PCI bridge (U1), configured by EEPROM (U2), to output the required signal.
Important Technical Specifications
The 50-670A offers a wide range of switching configurations, including:
- 1-Bank, 198 Channels, 1-Pole
- 1-Bank, 99 Channels, 1-Pole or 2-Pole
- 1-Bank, 49 Channels, 2-Pole or 4-Pole
- 1-Bank, 24 Channels, 4-Pole or 8-Pole
- 1-Bank, 10 Channels, 8-Pole or 16-Pole
- 1-Bank, 5 Channels, 16-Pole
The majority of 50-670 cards allow multiple channels to be simultaneously selected. However, product variants can also be supplied to operate as a conventional multiplexer with break-before-make action when a new channel is selected (Note: The multiple channel selection option is not available for the 50-670A-022-198/1 multiplexer).
Key electrical specifications include:
- Switch Type: Ruthenium Reed
- Max Hot Switching Voltage: 100 VDC/70 VAC (Note: For full voltage rating, signal sources to be switched must be fully isolated from mains supply and safety earth.)
- Max Cold Switching Voltage: 150 VDC/100 VAC
- Max Power: 20 W
- Max Switch Current: 1 A
- Max Carry Current: 1.2 A
- Initial Path Resistance On (Single Card): <1 Ω
- Initial Path Resistance Off (Single Card): >10^9 Ω
- Thermal Offset: <20 µV
- Bandwidth (3 dB, 1 card): >4.5 MHz (5 MHz typical) (Note: Bandwidth is configuration dependent; consult sales office for further information.)
- Operate Time: 1 ms typical, 500 µs for multi-channel mode
- Expected Life (operations): >1x10^8 for low power load, >1x10^6 for full power load
Power Requirements:
- +3.3 V: 200 mA
- +5 V: 100 mA
- +12 V: 0
- -12 V: 0
Mechanical Characteristics:
- Single slot short PCI format.
- 3D models for all versions are available on request.
Connections:
- User signals are connected via a 200-pin female LFH connector. The LFH connector refers to an obsolete Molex series, but Pickering supplies a form, fit, function equivalent that is 100% compatible and intermateable with original Molex parts.
Operating/Storage Conditions:
- Operating Temperature: 0 °C to +55 °C
- Operating Humidity: Up to 90% non-condensing
- Operating Altitude: 5000 m
- Storage Temperature: -20 °C to +75 °C
- Storage Humidity: Up to 90% non-condensing
- Storage Altitude: 15000 m
Compliance:
- The 50-670A card complies with the PCI Specification 2.0 (issued Feb 2004).
- Signalling Environment: 33 MHz, 32-bit Universal (+3.3 V & +5 V).
- All cards are fully CE compliant and meet applicable EU directives: Low-voltage safety EN61010-1:2010, EMC Immunity EN61326-1:2013, Emissions EN55011:2009+A1:2010.
Usage Features
- Drivers and Programming: Pickering provides kernel, IVI, and VISA (NI & Keysight) drivers compatible with all Microsoft supported versions of Windows and popular older versions. VISA driver support is also available for LabVIEW Real Time Operating Systems (Pharlap and Linux-RT). These drivers can be used with various programming environments, including Pickering Interfaces Switch Path Manager, National Instruments products (LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Switch Executive, MAX, TestStand, VeriStand, etc.), Microsoft Visual Studio products (Visual Basic, Visual C++), programming languages C, C++, C#, Python, Keysight VEE and OpenTAP, Mathworks MATLAB, Simulink, Marvin ATEasy, and MTQ Testsolutions Tecap Test & Measurement Suite. Soft Front Panels (SFPs) are provided for familiarity and manual control, along with comprehensive documentation and example programs.
- Signal Routing Software (Switch Path Manager): This software automatically selects and energizes switch paths through Pickering switching systems, simplifying test system software development by defining test system endpoints to be connected.
- Connectivity Solutions: Pickering offers a full range of supporting cable and connector solutions, including mating connectors, complex cable assemblies, and terminal blocks. These are manufactured by Pickering and are guaranteed to mechanically and electrically mate with the modules. A free online Cable Design Tool is available for custom cable solutions.
- Mass Interconnect Support: The modules fully support mass interconnect solutions from Virginia Panel and MacPanel, recommended when an Interchangeable Test Adapter (ITA) is required for PXI/LXI based test systems.
- Product Customization: Pickering PCI cards are designed for flexible manufacturing, allowing for customization such as alternative reed relay types, mixtures of reed relay types, different numbers of relays, and different performance specifications. Customized products receive unique part numbers and full documentation.
Maintenance Features
- Warranty: All standard products come with a three-year warranty against defective materials and workmanship from the date of delivery. Extended warranty and service agreements are available. Pickering also offers guaranteed long-term support, typically 15-20 years.
- eBIRST Switching System Test Tools: The 50-670A is supported by eBIRST test tools, which simplify switching fault-finding by quickly testing the system and graphically identifying faulty relays.
- Spare Relay Kits: Kits of replacement relays are available for easy maintenance and reduced downtime.
- Periodic Maintenance: The PCI card itself does not require periodic maintenance. Consult the chassis supplier for chassis-specific maintenance.
- General Cleaning: Isolate electrical power and user I/O signals before cleaning. Wipe product and chassis surfaces with a clean, dry anti-static cloth only.
- Software Update: For PCI cards, module software updates are not required. The latest driver software for various programming environments can be downloaded from the Pickering website.
- Relay Look-Up Tables: The manual provides tables cross-referencing signal paths with physical relays on the PCB. These tables, used in conjunction with PCB layout diagrams, aid in fault finding by identifying the position of faulty relays. Users of eBIRST tools do not need to use this information.
- Technical Support: Pickering Interfaces offers technical support via phone, website, or e-mail.
- Diagnostic Utility: A Pickering Diagnostic Utility is available to generate a diagnostic report of the system's PCI configuration, highlighting potential problems and listing installed Pickering switch cards. This can assist in identifying missing or misconfigured cards.
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