Agilent Technologies LXI manual Conclusion References, IEEE-1588 synchronization

The ability to put the stimulus and measurement instruments where they are needed — with minimal or no cabling back to the core of the system — is a feature unique to LXI. Modules such as the Agilent L4400A series are designed for this type of remote or distributed application (Figure 6).

Another factor that favors LXI is remote debugging and trouble- shooting. Service technicians with remote access privileges can diagnose a test system from practically anywhere using a Web browser. If a LAN-connected webcam is added to the system, the remote technician can even see what is happening as they troubleshoot.

9. IEEE-1588 synchronization

In high-volume production lines, the ability to shave even one second of test time per module may be worth thousands of dollars. In such cases, any change to hardware or software that causes an increase in test execution time is unacceptable.

LXI addresses test time through extensive triggering capabilities, beginning with a standardized trigger bus in Class A LXI instruments. LXI also provides a new way to improve test execution time: self-triggered measurements based on a precise real-time clock are synchronized from instrument to instrument. With this capability, measurements can be performed without intervention from the host computer, minimizing or even eliminating trigger wiring in a test system and reducing I/O bottlenecks.4

Conclusion

LXI is built for the long haul and is well-suited to automotive electronic test. Its main benefits are in cost, scalability and ease-of-use, but LXI also offers advantages in performance, longevity, flexibility, synchronization and rack space. More informa- tion is available online at www.lxistandard.org and www.agilent.com/find/lxi.

References

1.LXI ConneXion, April 2006, Stefan Kopp; available from www.lxiconnexion.com

2.LAN latency issue, The Appli- cation of IEEE 1588 to Test and Measurement Systems by John C. Eidson; available from www.lxistandard.org

3.Agilent application note

A Comparison Between PXI and the Agilent 34980A for Switch/Measure Applications shows a 40 percent savings; publication number

5989-5852EN available from www.agilent.com

4.Online article, “Making High Speed Measurements Through Triggering,” available from www.agilent.com

Figure 6. LXI-based switching modules enable the creation of powerful remote test systems.

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