Specifications

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The power supply in the E8401A VXI mainframe provides
500 watts of usable power, sufficient for most automated
test applications. The power supply in the E8403A and
E8404A VXI mainframes provides 1000 watts of usable
power, sufficient for the most demanding automated test
applications. Ample dynamic and peak current capability
is provided for most applications.
The basic mainframe monitoring of the E8401A and
E8403A indicates normal operating conditions at a glance.
The enhanced monitoring of the E8404A mainframe
provides superior cooling control and details regarding
temperatures throughout the mainframe, power supply
voltages and currents, fans operation, system status,
history queue, and stripcharts or histograms for easy
diagnostics. This information is available on the full color
display or through VXIbus or RS-232 connection. A front
panel diagnostics connector on all three mainframes
allows continuous local or remote system monitoring.
These mainframes comply with the VXI Specification by
providing injector surface rails used by the QUIC easy
module insertion and extraction system. Superior cooling,
reliable design and system monitoring make any of these
mainframes an excellent choice for all VXI test system
applications.
Refer to the Agilent Technologies Website for instrument
driver availability and downloading instructions, as well as
for recent product updates, if applicable.
Superior Cooling
The innovative cooling design of these three VXI
mainframes provides extremely quiet and efficient cooling.
Carefully engineered airflow provides the ultimate in
cooling with a minimum of noise. Outstanding back
pressure performance insures airflow through dense
modules. Separate power supply cooling fan(s) provides an
independent air path for reliable cooling of the power
supply.
For all three mainframes, all fans operate in either Variable
or Full Speed mode. A two-position switch on the
mainframe’s front panel controls the speed mode. Full
Speed mode is recommended for maximum cooling and/or
if acoustic noise is not a concern; all air movers (cardcage
impeller and power supply fan(s)) operate at full capacity
at all times. In Variable Speed mode, the fan speed varies
depending on the temperature in the mainframe, and the
ambient temperature. Variable Speed mode operation
allows the quietest operation while providing sufficient
cooling for the modules in the mainframe.
Airflow is conveniently routed into the rear and exhausted
out the sides of the mainframe. This allows mainframes to
be stacked or rack-mounted directly on top of one another.
Improved, Highly Reliable Backplane Design
The backplane of all three mainframes features solid state
automatic daisy-chain jumpering for the VMEbus grant and
interrupt acknowledge lines, eliminating the need for hand
selection of switch settings. Full differential distribution of
the CLK10 signal is provided on the backplane. This
minimizes jitter and skew, providing a clean timing source
for VXI instrument modules. The surface mount backplane
improves both reliability and stripline signal performance.
Agilent generates SYSRESET and ACFAIL on the backplane.
This is necessary for full compliance with the VXI
Specification, but is not generally implemented by other
manufacturers.
Convenient access to the power supply and cooling
systems of all three mainframes, and the monitoring
system of the E8404A, is provided through the mainframe’s
rear panel. A replacement power supply or fan can be
installed without removing the mainframe from a rack. The
power supply’s plug-in design makes repair easy.
Easy Maintenance Rear-Accessible Power Supply and
Impeller
The E8404A monitor control board and the impeller for
module cooling are easily replaced. The internal fan for the
power supply, an integral part of the supply, is easily
replaced with the power supply itself. If the optional Air
Filter Accessory Kit is installed, air filters may be replaced
without tools.