Pickering Company of the United Kingdom launched a new single slot PXI and PXIe 1000Base-T1 fault injection module

     The 1000Base-T1 PXI and PXIe fault injection switch modules have been introduced by Pickering in the UK to expand the range of supported protocols. The compact single-slot 40/42-203 and 40/42-204 series modules offer high performance, capable of switching voltages up to 200V and currents up to 0.8A, with typical differential bandwidths of 1.6GHz and 700MHz, respectively, both providing appropriate specifications over 1000Base-T1. The module can choose PXI or PXIe control interface for convenient and flexible chassis selection.

     The new 1000Base-T1 fault injection module provides multiple channel number options and two fault bus connections. The 40-203 (PXI) and 42-203 (PXIe) series modules can support up to six channels of double-wire connection, while the dual-group multiplexed 40-204 (PXI) and 42-204 (PXIe) series modules can support one or two channels of double-wire connection. Both models offer a signal path with 100Ω controlled transmission line impedance. The 40/42-203 series uses high quality tongue spring relays designed for high frequency applications and the 40/42-204 series uses high quality electromagnetic relays, both of which provide a long service life.

     For small-scale test applications, both series offer the flexible option of partial filling, with the 40/42-203 available as a 3-channel version and the 40/42-204 available as a 1-channel version. If the test requirements are increased, you can increase the number of channels to six or two by replacing a fully filled module in a single slot of the same chassis without increasing the space. Both series use MMCX connector interfaces, which, while not differential connectors, can achieve a high number of channels in a small panel area.

     Steve Edwards, switching product manager at Pickering Interfaces, explains the new product: "The 1000Base-T1 was originally developed as a standard for the automotive market, and one of the requirements of modern automotive design is to achieve high transmission rates with a pair of differential wires of minimal weight. This standard is also used for industrial control and building infrastructure Ethernet installations. Users can use our fault injection product to simulate the breakage of one or two wires in each pair of differential lines. In addition, the two fault bus connections can be connected to a power track, such as ground or battery and other injected signals, or short-circuited to a differential line connection. The 40/42-204 series modules are able to route between differential circuits and external components of the test equipment, adding new features to Pickering's fault injection product family. Due to the diversity of target industries, we believe these fault injection products will have many applications in a variety of ATE systems."