M9506A High-Performance, 5-slot AXIe Chassis

M9506A

High-Performance, 5-slot AXIe Chassis

PCIe Gen 3, 16 GB/s slot BW, up to 300 W/slot

Introduction

The Keysight Technologies, Inc. M9506A is a high-performance AXIe chassis and is the best choice for demanding, modular applications. The chassis is compliant with the AXIe 1.0 Rev 3.0 Wide-AXIe specification. It provides 5 slots for AXIe instrument modules, up to 300 watts per slot, and includes an embedded system module that does not take up an instrument slot. The embedded system module (ESM) provides a Gen 3 x8/x16 PCIe® interfaces for connecting the chassis to an external controller or expanding the system using multiple chassis. To minimize rack space, the instrument module slots are arranged horizontally. The chassis is the quietest AXIe chassis available with its new cooling design.

Key features

• Five x16 Gen 3 slots compliant to AXIe 1.0 Revision 3 (AXIe-wide)

• Embedded system module with flexible, dual Gen 3 x8 PCIe interface for high data BW and multichassis configurations

• ThunderboltTM 3 interface provides an alternative connection to a Thunderbolt-equipped laptop or desktop computer and doesn’t require a PC interface card in most cases

• 62 differential, high-bandwidth local bus lines provide very large data path between adjacent modules

• High-performance, push-pull cooling system increases airflow while decreasing fan noise

• High-power with up to 300 W cooling per slot

• Open Zone 3 for system customization

• Multi-chassis power-sequencing and front panel external trigger inputs/outputs for multi-chassis synchronization

• Front-removable fan trays

• GPS synchronization and time stamping option (M9506A-GP1)

• Optional integrated backside controller for digitizers (M9506A-BC1), enabling secure SCPI over LAN functionality

Backplane Configuration

The M9506A provides a Gen 3 x16 PCIe linked to each instrument along with a high-performance local bus, GbE LAN fabric, DC power rail, and triggering lines.

Embedded System Module (ESM)

The M9506A AXIe chassis utilizes an embedded system module to perform the chassis management functions contained in the AXIe specification. In addition, the ESM also provides external clock and trigger in/out connectors for system synchronization. It can be connected to the host using either a Gen 3 x8/x16 PCIe or Thunderbolt 3 cable. The front panel x8 PCIe connectors are disabled when using the Thunderbolt connection.

Open Zone 3

The M9506A chassis provides access to the Zone 3 defined in the AXIe standard. Access to Zone 3 is achieved by removing back panel and backplane covers. This will access to the Zone 3 area on modules in slots 2-5 and is perfect for applications such as running cable to the back of AXIe modules.

GPS Synchronization and Timestamping (option M9506A-GP1)

The M9506A-GP1 option adds GPS synchronization ability along with an external antenna port on the front panel. It provides an accurate 1 PPS output and the 10/100 MHz reference can be locked to this clock. The PPS signal can be propagated to trigger I/O and trigger events can be timestamped. Other GPS information is also provided including latitude, longitude, and altitude.

Integrated Backside Controller for Digitizer Modules (option M9506A-BC1)

Test system security is a challenge that many Aerospace and Defense (AD) customers face. The open operating systems found in current test equipment is a vulnerability point that requires significant management and overhead. Additionally, many of these customers prefer the ease of use of traditional benchtop equipment which have LAN interfaces, SCPI programming, and historically had closed operating systems.

Option -BC1 was developed to enhance security for high channel count digitizer applications, bringing the ease of use of traditional benchtop together with the benefits of a modular platform. A simple LAN connection gives you easy SCPI based control of many channels in a small space.

• Ease of use of traditional benchtop

o LAN Interface

o SCPI programming

o Closed OS

• Benefits of modular platform

o Performance

o Channel density

o Power consumption / cable management

Option -BC1 adds a closed, instrument-grade, Linux-based controller to the back of the M9506A chassis. It includes the necessary software layers (i.e. VISA / HiSLIP server, SCPI parser, Linux instrument driver) for SCPI over LAN control of the M9703B, M9710A, and M9709A digitizers. (see Figure 5).