July 6, 2006 – National Instruments announced the industry’s highest-voltage PXI switch module, which is capable of routing signals up to 600 V. Engineers can use this new switch module with the flexibility of the PXI platform to build automated test systems with stringent voltage, current and bandwidth requirements using one compact, rugged chassis. The high-voltage multiplexer adds to the more than 80 existing switch configurations available in the PXI platform from NI. The PXI-2584 dual 6x1 1-wire high-voltage multiplexer, which occupies a single 3U PXI slot and offers CAT II certification at 300 V, is capable of routing general-purpose ATE loads or high-voltage, low-current signals.
With channel-to-ground isolation of up to 600 V CAT I and multimode configurations, it is ideal for fuel cell and battery stack testing applications. The switch module offers an innovative interleaved topology for making differential measurements on 11 channels of a battery stack with just two 6x1 1-wire multiplexers, substantially reducing the total cost per differential channel. In traditional 2-wire topologies, each channel would use two wires across each device under test, limiting the switch module to six channels. By using each single input pin on the front connector at points in between potentials on a stack, the channel count extends to 11 2-wire channels.
In addition to its flexible architecture and high-voltage switching capacity, the NI PXI-2584 multiplexer features relay count tracking to keep track of the number of relay closures, which helps in predictive maintenance of the test system. Engineers can use the PXI-2584 switch with the high-voltage capability and accuracy of the NI PXI-4071 7½-digit FlexDMM for high common-mode applications such as fuel cell testing. For easy programming and deployment, the PXI-2584 multiplexer seamlessly works with all NI software including NI-SWITCH driver software, the NI LabVIEW graphical development environment and NI Switch Executive switch management software.
Engineers can use NI Switch Executive to reduce setup time, simplify switch programming and maximize the efficiency of the system for multiple deployment locations.
About PXI
PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation (PXI) is an open specification governed by the PXI Systems Alliance (www.pxisa.org) that defines a rugged, CompactPCI-based platform optimized for test, measurement and control. It is supported by more than 70 member companies and more than 1,200 products are available. PXI products are compatible with the CompactPCI and CompactPCI Express industrial computer standards and offer additional features such as environmental specifications, standardized software and built-in timing and synchronization.
About National Instruments
For 30 years, National Instruments has been a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation – a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation. Leveraging PCs and commercial technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs for test, control and design applications through easy-to-integrate software, such as NI LabVIEW, and modular measurement and control hardware for PXI, PCI, PCI Express, USB and Ethernet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,900 employees and direct operations in nearly 40 countries. For the past seven years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America.
