Adapt-a-switch platforms

Citation

(1999), "Adapt-a-switch platforms", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 71 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1999.12771ead.009

Adapt-a-switch platforms

Adapt-a-switch platforms

Keywords: Racal, Interface cards, Software, Data bus

Racal Instruments has introduced its new expandable Adapt-a-Switch platform for VXIbus switching systems that it claims builds on the success of its 1260 Series switch modules. This switch platform, designated the 1260-100 Series, is said to deliver density and flexibility in a two-slot, C-size, VXIbus module. The 1260-100 carrier module accommodates up to six Adapt-a-Switch plug-in cards. According to Racal ATE switching systems may be reduced in size by more than 30 per cent using configured Adapt-a-Switch cards. The user can select from a wide variety of plug-in cards including discrete relays, signal multiplexers, signal matrices, power relays, and RF switches. The modular approach provides optimum switching solutions at economical prices. The Adapt-a-Switch is controlled by the new Option-01T interface which supports both register-based and message-based operation. The Option 01T provides software features such as include lists, exclude lists and scan lists, relay coil-current monitoring, and user-defined path names and reset states.

A variety of plug-in modules are available at launch. These include the 1260-117, a 2A 52 channel SPDT switch; the 1260-118, a 2A 80-channel SPST switch; the 1260-120, a 13A 20-channel SPST power switch; the 1260-138, a 2A 64-channel DPST multiplexer, dynamically configurable from eight 1 x 8 multiplexers; and the 1260-150, ten 350 MHz 1 x 4 RF multiplexers.

Plug-in cards are said to be easy to insert from the front panel of the Adapt-a-Switch carrier, without removing the unit from the VXIbus chassis. Field upgrades are reportedly accomplished in less than two minutes by adding or changing plug-in-cards.

The Adapt-a-Switch carrier contains an analogue bus, which can be used to interconnect two or more plug-in cards, enabling large multiplexers and matrices to be dynamically configured via software. Internal RF shields eliminate cross-talk between the plug-in cards, ensuring low noise performance.

Racal Instruments new Adapt-a-Switch Series includes software support via VXIplug&play install disks for the WIN, WIN95, and WINNT frameworks, each including a Lab Windows/CVI driver, and a LabVIEW driver.

Details available from: Racal Instruments Ltd. Europe -- John Brampton. Tel: +44 (0) 1628 604455, America -- Greg Riley. Tel: +1 800 722 2528; Website: http://www.racalinst.co.uk; http://www.racalinst.com