USB Switch Mainframes simplify automated test setup.
Press Release Summary:
Along with NI USB-1359 communication adapter and NI-SWITCH Soft Front Panel software, NI USB mainframes deliver plug-and-play solutions for implementing high-channel-count switching systems. Products simplify troubleshooting and hardware setup and offer plug-and-play switch control for SCXI platform. They utilize PC USB port to control any SCXI switch and are offered in 4- and 12-slot models with NI SCXI-1000/1001 chassis, USB adapter, and high-voltage analog backplane.
Original Press Release:
National Instruments Releases USB-Enabled Plug-and-Play Switching
New Switching Hardware and Software Simplify Automated Test Setup and Troubleshooting
AUSTIN, Texas - May 10, 2005 - Automated test engineers now can significantly reduce switch system hardware setup time with the new National Instruments (Nasdaq: NATI) USB switch mainframes, which introduce plug-and-play switch control to the SCXI platform. With the release of the mainframes as well as the new NI USB-1359 communication adapter and NI-SWITCH Soft Front Panel software, National Instruments delivers a low-cost, plug-and-play solution for implementing high-channel-count switching systems.
Engineers can use the new NI USB mainframes to take advantage of the high-performance, industry-standard USB port found on most PCs to instantly control any SCXI switch. The four-slot USB switch mainframe includes an NI SCXI-1000 chassis, a USB adapter and a high-voltage analog backplane (HVAB). For higher-channel-count applications, automated test engineers can take advantage of the 12-slot USB switch mainframe, which includes an NI SCXI-1001 chassis, a USB adapter and a HVAB. With the HVAB, engineers can route signals between switch modules for matrix or multiplexer expansion, eliminating the need for external wiring between the modules.
The new NI USB-1359 communication adapter gives engineers the ability to quickly set up new switch systems or add USB functionality to their existing systems. With the easy-to-use, plug-and-play communication adapter, engineers can control an entire chassis of SCXI switch modules from any USB port, such as a laptop or desktop computer, an embedded controller or a USB hub. Using this functionality, engineers now can develop portable switching systems for applications such as remote data logging and man-portable field service systems.
The new NI-SWITCH Soft Front Panel software offers an interactive, graphical environment for troubleshooting, debugging or simplifying relay operations. With the new software, engineers can begin closing relays in their automated test applications in seconds. The software also provides an intuitive interface for easily viewing open and closed relays during application execution and clicking on specific relays for interactive troubleshooting and predictive maintenance.
National Instruments delivers a complete line of modular switch hardware based on PXI and SCXI with more than 100 configurations for automated test, data acquisition and control systems. Engineers can manage and maintain their switching systems with NI Switch Executive and NI TestStand from validation to manufacturing test. Each of these new products works with the entire suite of NI modular instruments, and engineers can use NI LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI and other common development environments to control their automated test and switching applications.
About NI Modular Instruments
NI offers essential technologies for test, which combine high-performance hardware, flexible software and innovative timing and synchronization technology for test and design applications. NI modular instruments offer accurate, high-throughput measurements from DC to 2.7 GHz. The product family includes:
· High-resolution digitizers (up to 24 bits, up to 200 MS/s)
· Signal generators (up to 16 bits, 200 MS/s)
· Digital waveform generator/analyzers (up to 400 Mb/s)
· Digital multimeters (up to 7½ digits)
· RF vector signal generators and analyzers (up to 2.7 GHz)
· Dynamic signal analyzers (up to 24 bits, 204.8 kS/s)
· Switching (multiplexers, matrices and general purpose)
About National Instruments
National Instruments (www.ni.com) is a technology pioneer and leader in virtual instrumentation - a revolutionary concept that has changed the way engineers and scientists in industry, government and academia approach measurement and automation. Leveraging PCs and commercial technologies, virtual instrumentation increases productivity and lowers costs for test, control and design applications through easy-to-integrate software, such as NI LabVIEW, and modular measurement and control hardware for PXI, PCI, USB and Ethernet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, NI has more than 3,400 employees and direct operations in nearly 40 countries. In 2004, the company sold products to more than 25,000 companies in 90 countries. For the past six years, FORTUNE magazine has named NI one of the 100 best companies to work for in America. Readers can obtain investment information from the company's investor relations department by calling (512) 683-5090, by sending an e-mail to nati@ni.com or by visiting http://www.ni.com/nati.
Pricing and Contact Information
NI USB switch mainframes, priced from $995
NI USB-1359 communication adapter, priced from $295
11500 N Mopac Expwy, Austin, Texas 78759-3504
Tel: (800) 258-7022, Fax: (512) 683-9300
Web: www.ni.com/switches E-mail: info@ni.com
CVI, LabVIEW, National Instruments, NI, ni.com, NI TestStand and SCXI are trademarks of National Instruments. Other product and company names listed are trademarks or trade names of their respective companies.
