Chassis, modules and boards
The Chassis, Modules and Boards category covers the modular architectures used to build scalable, configurable and future-proof test systems. It includes PXI, PXIe, VXI and AXIe chassis, as well as the associated measurement, generation or switching modules, in the form of plug-in cards or functional sub-assemblies.
These platforms enable customised test benches to be built by combining different modules within a single chassis, while guaranteeing precise synchronisation, high-speed communication and seamless software integration. In R&D, they facilitate the validation of complex systems requiring correlated multi-channel measurements. In production, they ensure test repeatability and automate large-scale test campaigns. In maintenance, they offer high scalability, enabling functions to be replaced or added without calling the overall architecture into question.
Key criteria include communication bus, expansion capability, trigger management and software compatibility (drivers, test environments). Used in aerospace, rail, defence and industrial electronics, these solutions form the backbone of modern modular test systems.
70842A
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
Error detection module for operating rates from 100 Mb/s to 3 Gb/s.
E4208D
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
VXI SCSI disk module, 4 GB, hard disk, 3.5-inch floppy.
83483A
KEYSIGHT / AGILENT / HP
High-performance measurement module for a wide range of applications.
720221
YOKOGAWA
16-channel temperature/voltage input module for accurate measurements.
NI-6221
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS
Tiroir PXI avec 16 canaux analogiques et 24 canaux bidirectionnels.
NI-9213
NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS
High-density 16-channel thermocouple module for CompactDAQ and CompactRIO chassis.
GSG-5-OROLIA-SPECTRACOM
SPECTRACOM
GNSS simulators with advanced functions and remote control.
specific questions about chassis, modules and boards
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1. Why choose a modular architecture rather than an all-in-one instrument?Because a modular bench separates the functions (measurement, generation, switching, timing) instead of fixing them in a single device. This means that a function can be upgraded without replacing the whole system, which is crucial for long-life cycle test benches.
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2. The main risk of a poorly designed modular system?Loss of overall consistency. The wrong choice of chassis, bus or modules can create bottlenecks, synchronisation problems or software dependency that is difficult to maintain. The architecture must be thought through before the cards are stacked.
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3. Are all the modules really interchangeable between chassis?No. Even within the same standard (PXI/PXIe for example), there are bandwidth, power supply, cooling and software compatibility constraints. Interchangeability is real, but never automatic without verification.
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4. Why is timing management critical in these architectures?Because the value of a modular system is often based on the correlation between channels and functions. Without controlled clock and trigger distribution, multi-channel measurements lose their meaning, even if each module is individually accurate.
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5. When is the modular system less relevant?For simple, one-off requirements or those that change little. A modular bench makes sense when requirements change, when campaigns are long or when maintainability and standardisation are more important than immediate simplicity.
