National Instruments NI SwitchBlock

The NI SwitchBlock (Part Numbers: 781420-13, 781421-14, 781420-14, 781421-15, 781420-15, 781421-16, 781420-16, 781420-160, 781421-17, 781420-17, 781421-33, 781420-33, 781421-34, 781420-34, 782907-01, 150579-01, 150275-1R5, 150275-0R5, 150275-01, 781420-08, 781420-09, 150056-01, 781420-06, 781420-00, 782720-01, 782720-02, 781421-10, 781420-10, 781421-11, 781420-11, 781421-12, 781420-12, & 781421-13) from National Instruments is a modular PXI switching system designed for creating large, high-density switch matrices with exceptional flexibility and minimal wiring complexity. Users may effectively manage complicated switching demands within a PXI chassis with this highly adaptable hardware, which is perfect for applications requiring extensive signal routing, such automated test systems. Six 1-slot relay cards can be installed on a 4-slot PXI carrier, which is the basis of the NI SwitchBlock system. The carrier incorporates six virtual device engines to improve timing and synchronization capabilities, and it has a hybrid-compatible connector on the back of the second PXI slot.

Users can configure the NI SwitchBlock carrier with a variety of relay cards, each available in different matrix topologies. Relay cards can be used as separate matrices or connected using the carrier's backplane's analog bus to create a bigger matrix. To form a 4x344 1-wire, 0.25 A matrix, for instance, four NI 2815 relay cards are combined. Adding an NI 2833 relay card results in a 4x71 2-wire, 2 A matrix. Instead of connecting to the analog bus that the NI 2815 cards use, the NI 2833 relay card functions independently.

In order to facilitate signal routing between relay cards, the NI SwitchBlock carrier's backplane has sixteen analog bus lines. Relay cards of Type A configuration can access both the columns and the analog bus, but cards of Type B connect to the columns exclusively, hence reducing their influence on bus performance. A single PXI-chassis may accommodate up to 24 relay cards spread across four carriers, enabling matrices with more than 8800 crosspoints. The system can be further expanded by connecting more carriers using NI 2806 extension bridge cards.

Complete software support, including configuration, control, and maintenance tools, is also offered by National Instruments for the NI SwitchBlock. Significantly less time is spent developing large switch systems thanks to the Switch Executive route management software, which offers automatic signal routing and simple graphical configuration.