EADS North America Defense Test & Services Expands Product Portfolio With High-Density Racal Instruments™ VXI C-Size Switch Cards

EADS North America Defense Test & Services introduces four new VXI C-Size Switch Cards to further expand its switch product offerings. These switch cards were originally developed for the Agile Rapid Global Combat Support System (ARGCS) which is comprised of a core of standard and tailored VXIbus-based modular products. Developed in cooperation with the DoD NxTest working group for use in the ARGCS ACTD, these switches offer significant improvements for both military and commercial applications. These new products include:

Designed for switching and routing sources such as AC and DC power supplies in automated test systems, the Racal Instruments 1260-16A switches currents up to 6A, AC or DC, and voltages up to 110 VDC or 250 VAC. With 64 Channels of SPDT switching, this high-density single slot module is ideal for applications requiring high signal integrity such as electronic functional testing or data acquisition.

With 12 channels of SPDT high-current switching, the Racal Instruments 1260-21 is designed for routing high-current, high-power AC and DC power supplies in automated test systems. This switch card switches currents up to 10 A, AC or DC, and voltages up to 32 VDC or 130 VAC. Utilizing low resistance connector pins, low resistance relays, and heavy gauge wire, EADS North America Defense Test and Services was able to reduce voltage loss and heating effects while still achieving very low series path resistance, i.e. less than 20 mΩ.

The Racal Instruments 1260-23 switches currents up to 25 A, AC or DC, and voltages up to 32 VDC or 130 VAC and is also designed for switching and routing sources such as AD and DC power supplies in automated test systems. To reduce voltage loss and heating effects, the module was designed to have very low series path resistance, less than 20 mΩ. Complete with 1 Channel of SPDT, 2 Channels of DPDT and 5 Channels of SP4T, it is perfect for high-current switching.

Each switch module consists of three 8x24 single-wire matrices, interconnected via a 10-lane, signle-wire bus which makes it an excellent choice for audio, video, telecom, datacom, and ATE systems testing. Multiple modules can be linked together via a front panel 10-lane bus allowing the user to construct very large matrices. With its density, versatility, expandability, and signal integrity, the Racal Instruments 1260-43 is ideal for constructing large switching systems.

“The exacting legacy military requirements of the ARGCS program resulted in the creation of switch cards with high-density, high-current, low path resistance to successfully replace yesteryear’s military system components.” stated Dr. Mark Minot, Vice President of the Instruments Business Unit. “In addition, the C-size VXIbus form factor provided EADS North America Defense Test and Services with the space, power, cooling, and modularity needed to provide the ultimate power switching solution in terms of performance and reliability”.

EADS North America Defense Test and Services designs, manufactures, sells, and services electronic test and measurement instruments, systems, software, and support to leading high-technology customers throughout the world. The company offers an extensive range of products and services, from modular instruments to turnkey automatic test systems, which are ideal for use in a wide variety of applications, including commercial functional test and measurement, laser diode burn-in and production, microcomputer production, and jet engine test.

EADS North America Defense Test & Services is an industry leader in providing automatic test solutions and service excellence to military and civil aerospace automatic test markets. The company works with core customers to define test requirements and deliver support solutions by providing general purpose ATE products, designing and building unique ATE, enhancing and integrating software offerings, and establishing nationwide OEM and military test engineering services. Key market sectors which the company serves include Military, Aerospace, Marine, Medical, Telecommunications, Semiconductor, and Commercial Manufacturing.

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