Matrix Card Expands Keithley’s Series 3700 System Switch/Multimeter Family

Keithley Instruments has announced an expansion of its Series 3700 System Switch/Multimeter and plug-in card family with the addition of a new plug-in switching card, the Model 3731 6´16 High Speed, Reed Relay, Matrix Card. Its exceptional voltage and current characteristics (200V, 1A switched or 2A carry signal capacity) make it ideal for use in multi-channel I-V testing in conjunction with Keithley’s Series 2600A System SourceMeter instruments.

The Model 3731 is a two-pole, 6 row ´ 16 column reed relay matrix card. High speed dry reed relays (<0.5ms actuation times) make it an excellent choice for applications that demand a combination of high throughput and long switch life. The Model 3731’s relay contacts are rated for more than one billion no-load switch operations.

As a matrix card, the Model 3731 offers users the flexibility to connect any of up to six differential instrument channels to any combination of 16 devices under test (DUTs). Any row can be connected to the Series 3700 mainframe’s analog backplane by using the analog backplane connection relays. This allows for easy matrix column expansion. A single Model 3706 mainframe can support a matrix of up to 6 rows by 96 columns when six Model 3731 cards are installed. By using the TSP-Link® master/slave communication bus, multiple mainframes can be linked to create even larger switch configurations. The analog backplane also offers automated access to the high performance multimeter built in to the Model 3706 mainframe, one of the most popular Series 3700 options.

The Model 3731 uses two 50-pin male D-sub connectors for signal connections. A detachable Model 3731-ST accessory is available for making screw terminal connections.

The Model 3731 is the latest addition to the growing family of plug-in switch and control cards for Keithley’s Series 3700 System Switch/Multimeter platform, adding to the line of high-density and general-purpose plug-in cards that accommodates a broad range of signals and topologies including multiplexer, matrix, and isolated switch functions.

The Series 3700 offers scalable, high-performance switching and multi-channel measurements that are optimized for automated testing of electronic products and components. Keithley's next-generation Series 3700 platform satisfies the demands of medium to high channel count applications, with its ability to control up to 576 multiplexer channels in an industry-leading six-slot, 2U form factor, saving precious rack space and lowering the cost of test. A high-performance integrated DMM option, the Model 3706, provides fast, low-noise measurements with resolutions up to 7½-digits at a price lower than typical 6½-digit DMMs.

Series 3700 System Switch/Multimeter instruments include a variety of capabilities optimized for high speed testing, including LXI Class B compliance with IEEE 1588 time synchronization; Keithley's embedded Test Script Processor (TSP®) technology that offers unparalleled system automation, throughput, and flexibility by bringing PC-like functionality into the instrument; and TSP‑Link, a master/slave communication bus that simplifies expanding systems to keep pace with changing test demands. TSP-Link provides for seamless integration with Series 2600A System SourceMeter instruments, for adding high speed I-V source and measurement capabilities.