E8401A, E8403A, E8404A VXI Mainframes, 13-Slot, C-Size, 500 & 1000 Watt

The Keysight Technologies, Inc. E8400 Series of 13-slot, C-size VXI mainframes provides a wide range of mainframe solutions to meet all your test system needs. They deliver innovative cooling technology, improved backplane design, high reliability, easy maintenance, and versatile accessories. The innovative air distribution system used in all three mainframes provides extremely quiet and efficient cooling.

The power supply in the E8401A VXI mainframe provides 500 watts of usable power, sufficient for most automated test applications. The power supply in the E8403A and E8404A VXI mainframes provides 1000 watts of usable power, sufficient for the most demanding automated test applications. Ample dynamic and peak current capability is provided for most applications.

The basic mainframe monitoring of the E8401A and E8403A indicates normal operating conditions at a glance. The enhanced monitoring of the E8404A mainframe provides superior cooling control and details regarding temperatures throughout the mainframe, power supply voltages and currents, fans operation, system status, history queue, and strip charts or histograms for easy diagnostics. This information is available on the full color display or through VXIbus or RS-232 connection. A front panel diagnostics connector on all three mainframes allows continuous local or remote system monitoring.

These mainframes comply with the VXI Specification by providing injector surface rails used by the QUIC easy module insertion and extraction system. Superior cooling, reliable design and system monitoring make any of these mainframes an excellent choice for all VXI test system applications.

Refer to the Keysight Technologies website for instrument driver availability and downloading instructions, as well as for recent product updates, if applicable.

Superior Cooling

The innovative cooling design of these three VXI mainframes provides extremely quiet and efficient cooling. Carefully engineered airflow provides the ultimate in cooling with a minimum of noise. Outstanding back pressure performance insures airflow through dense modules. Separate power supply cooling fan(s) provides an independent air path for reliable cooling of the power supply.

For all three mainframes, all fans operate in either Variable or Full Speed mode. A two-position switch on the mainframe’s front panel controls the speed mode. Full Speed mode is recommended for maximum cooling and/or if acoustic noise is not a concern; all air movers (cardcage impeller and power supply fan(s)) operate at full capacity at all times. In Variable Speed mode, the fan speed varies depending on the temperature in the mainframe, and the ambient temperature. Variable Speed mode operation allows the quietest operation while providing sufficient cooling for the modules in the mainframe.

Airflow is conveniently routed into the rear and exhausted out the sides of the mainframe. This allows mainframes to be stacked or rack-mounted directly on top of one another.

Improved, Highly Reliable Backplane Design

The backplane of all three mainframes features solid state automatic daisy-chain jumpering for the VMEbus grant and interrupt acknowledge lines, eliminating the need for hand selection of switch settings. Full differential distribution of the CLK10 signal is provided on the backplane. This minimizes jitter and skew, providing a clean timing source for VXI instrument modules. The surface mount backplane improves both reliability and stripline signal performance.

Keysight generates SYSRESET and ACFAIL on the backplane. This is necessary for full compliance with the VXI Specification, but is not generally implemented by other manufacturers. Convenient access to the power supply and cooling systems of all three mainframes, and the monitoring system of the E8404A, is provided through the mainframe’s rear panel. A replacement power supply or fan can be installed without removing the mainframe from a rack. The power supply’s plug-in design makes repair easy.

Easy Maintenance Rear-Accessible Power Supply and Impeller

Convenient access to the power supply and cooling systems of all three mainframes, and the monitoring system of the E8404A, is provided through the mainframe’s rear panel. A replacment power supply or fan can be installed without removing the mainframe from a rack. The power supply’s plug-in design makes repair easy.

The E8404A monitor control board and the impeller for module cooling are easily replaced. The internal fan for the power supply, an integral part of the supply, is easily replaced with the power supply itself. If the optional Air Filter Accessory Kit is installed, air filters may be replaced without tools.