National Instruments 780587-31 512-Crosspoint Matrix Switch Module

The National Instruments 780587-31 is a high-density 512-crosspoint, 1-wire PXI matrix switch module. It is also identified as the PXIe-2531 unit and is designed for automated test systems that require high channel counts. This unit can be configured as a 4 × 128 or 8 × 64 matrix. It utilizes compact reed relays that can achieve switching speeds up to 2,000 cycles per second and are ideal for low-current, high-speed applications. It features onboard relay counting to monitor relay usage and employs hardware triggers.

The NI 780587-31 supports a maximum switching voltage of 60 VDC or 30 VACrms both channel-to-channel and channel-to-ground along with a maximum current per channel of 0.5 A. Each channel can handle up to 10 W of power. The module offers a low initial DC path resistance of less than 1 Ω that increases to around 2 Ω by the end of its life, and an open channel resistance exceeding 1 GΩ. Thermal electromotive force is typically less than 50 µV. The 780587-31 matrix maintains a bandwidth of at least 20 MHz for 1-wire rows and columns along with crosstalk levels typically below -70 dB at 10 kHz and 100 kHz, -58 dB at 1 MHz, and -38 dB at 10 MHz.

The dynamic characteristics of the unit allow for simultaneous operation of up to 40 relays on PXI systems and 64 relays on PXI Express systems along with relay operate and release times of just 0.25 ms. Triggering is flexible in this 780587-31 unit with input sources from PXI trigger lines 0 to 7 and a minimum pulse width of 150 ns. The same PXI lines may be targeted by the output trigger, which has programmable pulse widths between 1 and 62 µs.

This NI matric is a compact, single-slot 3U PXI/cPCI module that measures 21.6 cm by 2.0 cm by 13.0 cm and weighing 454 g. It operates efficiently within a temperature range of 0 °C to 55 °C and can be stored at temperatures between -40 °C and 70 °C. The module is built to withstand operational shocks of 30 g peak and vibrations up to 0.3 grms during operation and 2.4 grms when non-operational. The NI 780587-31 module is also compliant with various safety and EMC standards like IEC, UL, and EN regulations.