The Keithley 707A Switching Matrix Mainframe is a modular, six-slot mainframe engineered for signal routing and automated testing in research, development, and production environments. It accommodates Keithley plug-in switch cards to build custom switching configurations while maintaining backward compatibility with Model 707 and 708 switch card designs. The system scales from a single mainframe controlling up to 576 channels to a cascaded five-unit configuration delivering 2880 channels, with daisy-chain expansion supporting up to four slave units per master.
Technical Specifications
Capacity & Expansion
• Six plug-in card slots per mainframe
• Up to 576 channels per single unit; 2880 channels maximum with full expansion
• Maximum 360-column configuration with five cascaded Model 707A mainframes
• Daisy-chain expansion: one master unit plus up to four slave units
Analog Architecture
• Three separate analog backplanes optimized for different switch card types
• Automatic row expansion between similar cards within a single mainframe
User Interface & Memory
• 14-segment alphanumeric LED display with individual status LEDs
• Storage for up to 100 matrix setups with lithium battery backup
• One-touch front-panel programming: Digital I/O, External Trigger edge, Matrix Ready level, Master/Slave operation, IEEE-488 address, Relay Settling Time, Self Test, Card Identify
Trigger & Control Performance
• Maximum trigger rate: 200 setups per second (make-before-break and break-before-make disabled)
• External Trigger response: <1 ms; IEEE-488 GET response: <1 ms
• External Trigger: TTL compatible, programmable edge, 600 ns minimum pulse width
• Digital I/O: 8 TTL inputs, 8 TTL outputs; Input Latch and Output Strobe control signals
• Matrix Ready: TTL compatible status output, programmable high or low true
• Make-before-break / break-before-make: programmable by row
Programming & Options
• IEEE-488 bus control (TALK, GET, "X" command)
• Manual trigger capability
• Optional light pen control for crosspoints, memories, and switching modes; controls Master and all Slave units
• All parameters programmable except IEEE-488 bus address and Master/Slave mode
– Typical Applications
Automated component test, signal multiplexing, multi-channel data acquisition, production test switching, and parametric measurement systems requiring flexible high-channel-count routing.
– Compatibility & Integration
Full compatibility with existing Keithley Model 707 and 708 switch cards enables seamless integration into established test infrastructures.
