National Instruments AL-1010 Multifunction I/O Module for SLSC

The AL-1010 (Part Numbers: 788117-01, 788118-01) by National Instruments is a 12-channel multifunction I/O module designed for the Switch Load Signal Conditioning (SLSC) system. With the sophisticated signal conditioning and switching features this module provides, test objects and the test system inside the SLSC chassis can communicate with ease. The AL-1010 is the perfect choice for applications that need flexible signal switching because of its ability to handle analog, digital, and pulse-width modulation (PWM) signal types. Without having to make hardware changes, users can update hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) system settings and change the pins on the module using software such as VeriStand. The AL-1010 has built-in fault injection functionality on all of its pins by default, and each pin can route analog, digital, or PWM signals.

For systems that require a high degree of pin configuration flexibility, the AL-1010 is a necessary intermediary between the instrumentation portion of the test system and the Device Under Test (DUT). Its unique form makes it easy to integrate with the PXI and CompactRIO instrumentation devices from National Instruments, enabling the testing and validation of Electronic Control Unit (ECU) hardware and software. For bigger configurations, the Aliaro Configurator is advised for channel configuration. The module comes with a specially designed device for VeriStand that is intended for Hardware-In-the-Loop applications.

The AL-1010 performs a variety of tasks for digital I/O, including PWM signals, signal conditioning, and fault insertion. For complete flexibility and a simple way to connect to NI PXIe and Compact-RIO instrumentation devices, it needs the RTI-backplane AL-1010-RTI. The AL-1010's capability can be increased even further by adding more boards. With 12 separate, isolated channels arranged into three banks, the board can handle 60V and 10A per channel. Two common busses, brake-up switches, programmable level thresholds, switches to each channel, and the possibility to link high current signals in parallel are all elements of each bank.

Open circuit (DUT to Load) and short to positive or negative (DUT to AUX1 or AUX2) are two examples of fault insertion functions in AL-1010. Signal conditioning functions include analog signal amplification and digital input signal conditioning with programmable thresholds. The DUT's digital statuses and PWM signals can be read using the digital I/O functions, and AUX1 and AUX2 can be used to generate digital and PWM signals for the DUT.