National Instruments Introduces High-Density Switching Solutions to Streamline Automated Test

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National Instruments today introduced the NI  SwitchBlock for PXI, a high-density switching solution featuring an  innovative architecture that simplifies connectivity through internal column  expansion. Designed specifically for demanding automated  test systems with large numbers of channels, the NI SwitchBlock  integrates with NI Switch Executive switch management software to  provide a streamlined, intuitive option for switch configuration, routing,  programming and maintenance.

The NI SwitchBlock comprises an expandable  carrier that occupies four PXI slots and accommodates up to six relay cards.  Engineers can use the carrier’s integrated high-voltage analog bus to internally  expand the relay cards into large matrices, with more than 2,000 crosspoints in  a single carrier. They can further expand these matrices with an NI SwitchBlock  expansion bridge, which extends a carrier’s analog bus to additional carriers.  Engineers can combine up to four NI SwitchBlock carriers to create internally  routed matrices with as many as 8,832 crosspoints in a single PXI chassis.  Because of this innovative hardware architecture, the NI SwitchBlock can  integrate with other PXI instruments and I/O for use as the core of large-scale  automated test systems.

With NI Switch Executive software, engineers can  graphically configure their switch systems one relay at a time for total  control, or automatically route signals across multiple relay cards simply by  specifying endpoints. This high level of abstraction helps engineers to quickly  and efficiently begin developing their application. By combining NI Switch  Executive with NI  LabVIEW graphical system development software, engineers can abstract  numerous route groups to easily configure, program and maintain large matrix  configurations. The NI SwitchBlock also includes the new NI  Switch Health Center software, which increases long-term system  reliability by automatically running onboard diagnostics that verify relay  continuity and display relay count information.

Additionally, engineers  can combine the NI SwitchBlock with mass interconnect solutions from MAC Panel  and Virginia Panel, which provide a single rugged connection point between  multiple NI SwitchBlock connectors and a test fixture. This further simplifies  wiring for large matrix configurations and helps engineers streamline hardware  integration and reduce test setup time.

The NI SwitchBlock offers  multiple relay card options, including a growing selection of topologies and  relay types to address a variety of large-matrix test needs. Engineers can  custom configure the NI SwitchBlock with different relay cards in a single  carrier to create a configuration that best meets their requirements. To help  engineers find the most efficient NI SwitchBlock configuration for their  specific application, NI has created an online advisor tool that guides them  through the relay card selection process and adds the correct number of carriers  and expansion bridges to meet their application requirements.

To  learn more about the NI SwitchBlock, readers can visit www.ni.com/switchblock.

About National  Instruments
National Instruments (www.ni.com) is transforming the way engineers and  scientists design, prototype and deploy systems for measurement, automation and  embedded applications. NI empowers customers with off-the-shelf software such as  NI LabVIEW and modular cost-effective hardware, and sells to a broad base of  more than 30,000 different companies worldwide, with no one customer  representing more than 3 percent of revenue and no one industry representing  more than 15 percent of revenue. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more  than 5,000 employees and direct operations in more than 40 countries. For the  past 11 years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to  work for in America.