High-density PXI multiplexer used in aircraft lightning testing

The customer needed to test the transient-voltage-suppression diodes, or transorbs, used to protect the FADEC's sensitive electronics from very fast voltage spikes induced on connected wires following a lightning strike on the aircraft. Due to the quantity of transorbs that needed to be tested (one on every I/O connection of the FADEC), a large number of high-power multiplexers were required to connect the UUT to the test instrumentation.

A compact, modular test architecture for scalability and ease of maintenance was required, and the customer selected PXI as their preferred platform. With no high-density PXI multiplexers of the required performance commercially available, the customer approached Pickering (a preferred PXI switch supplier) to discuss their options. Pickering's engineers subsequently designed, built and tested a new PXI multiplexer to their specification. Following a successful trial of the initial prototype, Pickering worked closely with the customer to simplify the test system wiring by adding a second connector to the multiplexer for the MUX common connections. This led to a preliminary order for 84 multiplexer modules, with additional future requirements planned.

Pickering's 40-651 High-Density PXI Multiplexer is a COTS (Commercial-Off-The-Shelf) product and is available worldwide. For specifications and pricing please visit the Pickering website at www.pickeringtest.com.