Modular AXIe Embedded Controller

05 July 2011 – Agilent Technologies announced the first modular AXIe embedded controller – the Agilent M9536A, a powerful one-slot module that can be used to build compact AXIe systems. With built-in front panel interfaces, the new controller can easily integrate into hybrid test systems using USB and LAN. This module expands Agilent’s current offering, which provides customers the choice of external controllers or the new embedded controllers, depending on specific test needs.

The M9536A works in a number of applications that require high performance such as RF/uW, wireless communication manufacturing, BERT, radar, high-energy physics research and plasma control in Fusion research. The one-slot module controller includes an Intel Xeon L5518 quad-core processor running at 2.13 GHz, 8 GB of RAM and a 160-GB solid-state drive. It is designed for high performance software applications and for easy mobility. The new embedded controller is designed for use with recently announced high-speed digital AXIe modules such as the U4301A PCI Express Gen3 Analyzer the M9180A 12-Ga/s Arbitrary Waveform Generator and the U4154A DDR Logic Analyzer.

Designed for AXIe 1.0 systems, the M9536A boasts fast data-transfer rates using the PCIe Gen2 backplane, and uses Intel Hyper-Threading Technology to ensure that the performance required for multi-threaded applications can be achieved. To reduce test set-up time, the module is preloaded with a Microsoft Windows® operating system and Agilent I/O libraries.

“The new AXIe embedded controller is fully AXIe 1.0 compliant and is supported in the M9502A and M9505A two- and five-slot AXIe chassis from Agilent,” said Larry Desjardin, general manager of Agilent’s Modular Product Operation. “This product is further proof that we are continuing to expand our modular portfolio based on the AXIe standard. The embedded controller supports engineers and reduces the set up time of their test systems.”

The Agilent M9536A adds to the line-up of 46 new PXI and AXIe modular products announced last year.