- Pickering Interfaces has announced the introduction of three new analog output modules in PXI and PXIe formats designed for signal generation and sensor simulation in closed-loop hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) functional testing and hardware simulation applications.
These solutions aim to simulate the behavior of embedded controllers by reproducing analog conditions and sensor profiles from a single PXI chassis slot.
Technical Specifications of the New PXI Modules
- Digital-to-Analog Converters (41-770 PXI and 43-770 PXIe modules): These modules integrate up to four fully isolated analog output channels per 3U slot. Each channel is independently programmable for voltage outputs up to ±20 V and current outputs up to ±20 mA. They feature a hardware locking mechanism for system protection and allow for the simulation of open circuits for fault injection testing.
- Multichannel Waveform Generators (Modules 41-625 PXI and 43-625 PXIe): These modules have 32 independent output channels per 3U slot. They support signal generation over a frequency range from 0 Hz to 300 kHz to simulate, for example, accelerometers. Each channel has its own memory for storing standard or arbitrary sine waves, with frequency adjustment achieved via direct digital synthesis (DDS). Triggering functions are also included to synchronize generation with other instruments.
- Thermocouple Simulation (41-761A PXI Modules): Designed specifically for simulating temperature sensors, these modules provide up to 32 independently isolated channels per slot, delivering low-voltage, two-wire outputs with microvolt (μV) resolution. They support various cold junction configurations, common-mode voltage handling, and incorporate fault insertion without requiring an external switch.
Software Integration and Applications
These modules replace physical sensors, environmental chambers, and manual fault configurations with fully software-based electrical stimulation of equipment under test (DUT). They integrate signal generation, simulation, switching, and interconnection functions into a single modular architecture.
On the software side, Pickering Interfaces provides drivers compatible with Windows and Linux operating systems. The application programming interface (API) supports languages and environments such as C, Python, C#, MATLAB, Simulink, and LabVIEW, while a software front panel is available for development and debugging. The PXI variants are also compatible with standard Pickering LXI and USB chassis.
