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M9018B and M9019A 18-slot PXIe Chassis

Data Sheets

M9018B and M9019A

18-slot PXIe Chassis

PCIe Gen 2, 8 GB/s or PCIe Gen 3, 24 GB/s

Introduction

The Keysight Technologies, Inc. M9018B and M9019A PXIe 18-slot chassis deliver the flexibility, compatibility, and performance required for demanding applications. With 16 PXIe hybrid slots, they give the system designer more flexibility to mix and match the number and location of PXIe and hybrid-compatible modules. Choose between the high-performance PCIe® Gen 2 and ultra-high performance, Gen 3 models to meet your application's requirements. Both models include the same innovative cooling design which allows the chassis to fit into 4U of rack space. They are also designed for easy integration into large systems containing multiple PXIe chassis and other non-PXI instrumentation.

Key features

  • 16 PXIe hybrid slots, 1 PXIe timing slot, and 1 PXIe system slot
  • 4U chassis with innovative cooling design
  • Choose between Gen 3 and Gen 2 PCIe performance levels:
  • Gen 2: M9018B high performance backplane with configurable two- and four- link system slot (2x8 or 4x4) and mix of x4 and x8 hybrid/timing slots
  • Gen 3: M9019A ultra-high performance backplane (maximum 24 GB/s system and 8 GB/s slot-to-slot) with a two-link (x8, x16) system slot and x8 links to the hybrid/timing slots
  • Multi-chassis power-sequencing and front panel external trigger inputs/outputs
  • Specified up to 55 °C and 10,000 ft operating conditions

Hardware Overview

Backplane configuration

The M9018B and M9019A PXIe chassis provide 16 hybrid-compatible slots for the ultimate in flexibility and compatibility. The PCIe switch fabric for the hybrid slots is broken into two segments, each serviced by its own PCIe-to-PCI bridge (Figures 1 and 2). The PXIe slots are also organized into three trigger bus segments with configurable interconnections between segments. Two front panel trigger ports (SMB) are connected to the PXI (0:7) trigger bus. This enables easy integration with non-PXI instruments.

High performance PCIe fabric

The M9018B PXIe chassis utilizes a high performance, configurable PCIe switch fabric that operates at Gen 2 speeds. The system slot can be changed between a 2-link (2x8) or 4-link (4x4) configuration. A 2-link configuration, optimized for the M9021A PCIe cable interface, is also provided (a 2x8, 2-link configuration, with link 2 inactive). Four of the PXIe peripheral slots have a x8 PCIe link providing a maximum data bandwidth of 4 GB/s. The 12 remaining peripheral slots have a x4 PCIe link providing a maximum data bandwidth of 2 GB/s. The system slot has a maximum data bandwidth of 8 GB/s when all 16 PCIe lanes are utilized.

The M9019A PXIe chassis is built around an ultra-high performance PCIe switch fabric that operates at up to Gen 3 speeds. All of the PXIe peripheral slots have a x8 PCIe link providing a maximum data bandwidth of 8 GB/s each. The two-link system slot (x8 + x16) has a maximum data bandwidth of 24 GB/s when all 24 PCIe lanes are utilized. When combined with the M9023A PXIe system module, M9049A PCIe adapter, and an external PC with a Gen 3 x16 PCIe slot, up to 16 GB/s of data bandwidth can be achieved between the PC and PXIe chassis.

Innovative cooling

The M9018B and M9019A PXIe chassis utilize an innovative cooling design that allow them to fit into 4U of rack space. This represents a 20 percent reduction in occupied rack space, compared to typical PXI chassis which requires 5U or more for air-flow. This space can be utilized for an external 1U controller via PCIe cable, resulting in a system that requires no more rack space than other chassis with an embedded PC controller.

The innovative design includes auto-speed fans to expel hot air out the back panel allowing other instruments with bottom air intakes to be placed directly above the chassis. Cool air is pulled into the chassis from the front, sides, and bottom of the chassis. Unlike many PXIe chassis, the fan-speed is controlled by using temperature sensors located on the top of the backplane, in the path of the module exhaust. This enables the fans in the chassis to react to actual changes in module temperatures, instead of ambient air temperature readings used by the typical PXIe chassis. This results in lower module operating temperatures when the auto fan setting is used.

Keysight’s exclusive air-inlet modules (Figure 3) can also be used to supply even more cool air from the front of the chassis and direct it to other slots. Given the air outside the rack is generally cooler than the air inside the rack, this results in more efficient cooling of the PXIe modules. This option enables the system designer to decide how to best cool the chassis, providing more design flexibility than other PXIe chassis.

Lower maintenance costs

The M9018B and M9019A PXIe chassis were designed to reduce maintenance costs. There are no air filters to maintain and the power supply and fans can be removed while the chassis is mounted in a rack. This enables the chassis to be serviced, while keeping DUT cabling and modules in place.

System monitoring

The M9018B and M9019A PXIe chassis have a complete set of system monitoring functions for power rail voltages, module exhaust temperatures, and fan speeds. For temperature measurements, the chassis utilizes eight temperature sensors located on the top of the backplane, in the path of the module exhaust. Chassis operating conditions can be monitored via a software API or the soft front panel interface.

A DB-9 connector is also available at the rear of the chassis for remote inhibit and power rail monitoring. The chassis has configurable alarms that can be monitored via front panel LEDs, soft front panel interface, or software API.

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