Mar 11, 2018 
Pickering Interfaces a leading provider of modular signal switching, simulation, and cabling for electronic test and verification, will showcase their broad catalogue of PXI, PCI, LXI, cabling products, and software solutions at AMPER 2018, 20-23 March 2018. These include the following products:
2 & 4-slot USB/LXI Modular Chassis (model 60-104/105) – These chassis both offer a small, lightweight form factor ideal for portable, benchtop and space restrictive applications. They are designed for desk or rack mounting and feature remote control via USB or LXI Ethernet. Remote control over a network enables the switching function of a test system to be located as close as possible to the target equipment. The new 4-slot Chassis supports between one and four Pickering 3U PXI modules. Possible systems include switching matrices up to 2208 crosspoints or up to 72 channels of programmable resistor/sensor simulation.
Both the 2-slot and this new 4-slot chassis are USB 3.0 compatible and have a fully compliant LXI interface. These communications standards enable the chassis to be controlled directly through standard interfaces found on most personal computers and tablets that support HTML5, allowing for a very practical route into a variety of applications in the modular test and measurement market.
BRIC™ Ultra-High-Density PXI Matrix Modules – This range of PXI matrices are robust 1Amp/20W switching modules, with up to 4,096 crosspoints. Constructed with the Pickering Electronics’ new 4mm x 4mm Reed Relay makes this range a new generation of 1Amp PXI matrices with 2 times the density of any competing large matrix module. The matrices are available in 2, 4, or 8-slot PXI sizes and are designed for high performance matrix requirements. With their high level of switching density, these PXI matrices allow a complete Functional ATE system to be housed in a single 3U PXI chassis and allow the use of much lower cost 8 or 14 slot PXI chassis’.
The range comes with Pickering’s Built-in Relay Self-Test (BIRST) and is also supported by their eBIRST Switching System Test Tools. These tools provide a quick and simple way of finding relay failures within the modules.
Millivolt Thermocouple PXI Simulator Module (model 41-760) – A low-voltage source module ideal for simulating the operation of a thermocouple. This module supports up to 32 channels from a single-slot 3U PXI module, each with an independent output of -100mV to +100mV and a remote sense that allows for the correction of ground voltages on each channel.
Modular LXI Reed Relay High-Density Matrix (model 65-200) – Originally designed to test Semiconductors at wafer and package levels, this soon to be released Reed Relay matrix solution combines our Model 65-200 LXI Modular Matrix Chassis with our new plug-in matrix modules that provide access to all signal connections on 200 pin connectors. It is capable of supporting matrices with a Y-axis size of 4 and expandable in the X-axis range up to 1,536 in increments of 128. Users can specify as many or as few plug-in modules (up to six) required and can field upgrade the chassis to extend the matrix when necessary. The 65-200 can be used to support automated I-V plotting in semiconductor testing and the ability to close over 1500 relays simultaneously permits high-speed continuity and insulation testing.
Switch Path Manager Signal Routing Software – this new signal routing software simplifies signal routing through switching systems and speeds up the development of switching system software. Switch Path Manager supports Pickering's PXI, LXI, PCI and GPIB switching modules and the interconnection between these products.
Also highlighted in the booth will be their eBIRST Switching System Test Tools. These tools, designed specifically for Pickering’s PXI, PCI, or LXI (Ethernet) products, simplify switching system faultfinding by quickly testing the system and graphically identifying the faulty relays.
Pickering Interfaces sister company Pickering Connect will be showing their standard interconnection products including connectors, cables and connector blocks as well as their Cable Design Tool. The Cable Design Tool is a free graphics-based online tool that lets you define a cable assembly to exactly meet your requirements. The tool allows very detailed design characteristics including - selection of connector types, wire type, pin definitions, pin and cable labelling, cable bundling, length selection, sleeving and comments. Features include a built-in library of standard cable sets or design from scratch, the ability to store designs in the Cloud and develop them over time and you can create your own library and share with colleagues.
Pickering Interfaces stands behind all of their manufactured products with a standard three-year warranty and guaranteed long-term product support. Pricing and availability information is supplied on their website at www.pickeringtest.com.
