Signal Routing And Switching - Agilent Technologies 34972A User Manual

Chapter 3 System Overview

Signal Routing and Switching

Signal Routing and Switching
The switching capabilities of the plug-in modules available with the
34970A/34972A provide test system flexibility and expandability. You
can use the switching plug-in modules to route signals to and from your
test system or multiplex signals to the internal DMM or external
instruments.
Relays are electromechanical devices which are subject to wear-out
failure modes. The life of a relay, or the number of actual operations
before failure, is dependent upon how it is used – applied load, switching
frequency, and environment. The 34970A/34972A Relay Maintenance
System automatically counts the cycles of each relay in the instrument
and stores the total count in non-volatile memory on each switch module.
Use this feature to track relay failures and to predict system
maintenance requirements. For more information on using this feature,
refer to Relay Cycle Count, on page 169
Switching Topologies
Several switching plug-in modules are available with different topologies
for various applications. The following switching topologies are available:
• Multiplexer (34901A, 34902A, 34905A, 34906A, 34908A)
• Matrix (34904A)
• Form C – Single Pole, Double Throw (34903A)
The following sections describe each of these switching topologies.
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