The Keysight (Agilent) E8408A is a C-size VXI mainframe with four slots, engineered for automated testing, data acquisition, and field service applications. This compact platform delivers 175 watts of usable power and complies fully with VXIbus Specifications, Rev 1.4, ensuring broad compatibility with standard VXI modules. Its lightweight construction—8.6 kg (19 lbs)—and minimal footprint make it the smallest and lightest C-size mainframe available, reducing system rack space and enabling field portability without sacrificing reliability.
Technical Specifications
• Form Factor: C-Size VXI Mainframe, 4-slot
• VXIbus Compliance: VXIbus Specifications, Rev 1.4
• Power Output: 175 watts usable
• Operating Temperature: 0 to +55 °C
• Storage Temperature: −40 to +70 °C
• Dimensions: 362 mm W × 540 mm D × 133.3 mm H (14.3 × 21.3 × 5.25 in.)
• Weight: 8.6 kg (19 lbs)
• Bus Interface: P1/P2 connectors per VXIbus Specification, Rev 1.4
– Key Features
• Backplane Architecture: Surface-mount, highly reliable design with solid-state automatic daisy-chain jumpering for VMEbus grant and interrupt acknowledge lines
• Clock Distribution: Full differential CLK10 signal distribution minimizes jitter and skew
• Cooling System: Two-speed fan with variable and full speed modes; variable speed enables quiet operation via automatic temperature control
• Airflow Design: Rear-panel intake flows through power supply and modules, exhausting at left side
• System Monitoring: Front-panel indicator lights display real-time status of power supply voltages, temperature, and fan operation
• Protection: Over-temperature, over-voltage, short-to-ground, and short-to-other-output shutdown protection
• Reset & Fault Generation: SYSRESET and ACFAIL signals generated per VMEbus and VXIbus specifications
– Typical Applications
• Automated test systems with space constraints
• Field service data acquisition platforms
• Portable measurement systems requiring compact form factors
– Compatibility & Integration
Full VMEbus and VXIbus compliance enables integration with a broad range of standard VXI instrumentation modules. The E8408A supports direct rack mounting or stacking configurations via rear-airflow design.
