PXI modules perform ARINC 608A switching

Expanding its line of products for the aerospace market, Pickering Interfaces has introduced two PXI switching modules that route signals in avionics test systems. The modules can be used in any 3U PXI chassis as well as in Pickering’s LXI modular switching chassis.

The 40-569 module comes as a four-slot or eight-slot BRIC module that integrates a 16-wire analog backplane to accommodate resource distributor and bus matrix input daughtercards in accordance with Appendix D of the ARINC 608A specification. The scalable design permits the inclusion of up to two resource distributor subsystems and up to six bus matrix subsystems in an eight-slot BRIC module.

The 40-618 is a source switching module that implements the switching functions defined in Appendix D of the ARINC specification. It comprises 12 4:1 multiplexers and 44 SPST uncommitted relays in a single-slot PXI module.

All modules employ electromechanical relays with 2-A switch/carry current and 250-VAC/220-VDC voltage ratings. Both the 40-569 and 40-618 are implemented in a 3U PXI format that is compatible with the 60-100 LXI modular switching chassis, permitting the modules to be controlled through either a PCI- or an LXI-compliant interface. Pickering reports that it has worked with MAC Panel to ensure that a Scout mass interconnect system is available to simplify integration of the modules into aerospace test systems.

Pickering Interfaces, www.pickeringtest.com.