The Racal Instruments™ 1256 switching system is a high performance switching and control system in a compact 2U rack mountable package. The unit draws upon our decades of experience as a major automated test equipment (ATE) switching supplier to set a new standard in switching systems. With the addition of an Ethernet 10/100 interface, the 1256 easily connects to computers at remote locations.
Wide Range of Plug-Ins
The Racal Instruments™ 1256 controls up to eight Adapt-a-Switch™ plug-ins for switching and digital I/O. These plug-ins provide a wide range of switching capability: high current to 13A, high voltage to 1kV, RF/microwave to 18GHz, and even digital I/O with 96 channels per plug-in. The user can easily configure these plug-ins into a high-performance, low-cost solution to satisfy any switch application. A single 1256 can accommodate any one of the following configurations, and countless others:
High-Speed Switching
The 1256 switching system reduces test times with its high throughput and timesaving advanced features. It scans more than 100 channels per second, and opens or closes more than 200 channels in less than 0.1 second.
Non-Volatile Memory
The non-volatile memory stores up to 100 complete switch states and includes a separate automatic power-up state. In addition, the 1256 can store all user designated preferences such as RS-232 baud rates, GPIB address, and display settings and have these automatically restored at power-up.
In addition, users employing the remote interfaces can store and recall both module and path names.
Advanced Triggering
The 1256 synchronizes with other equipment using the external trigger in/out signals. Coupled with the advanced scan list features, the triggering facilitates rapid, automated measurements with minimal intervention from the user or system controller.
Intuitive Front Panel Control
The highly intuitive menu-driven interface consists of a display, four soft-keys, and a knob. This powerful interface provides easy access to all relay and digital I/O states, system preferences, and non-volatile memory features of the 1256 switching system.
GPIB and RS-232 Remote Interfaces
The GPIB and RS-232 remote interfaces provide any terminal or computer with access to all standard features. The remote interfaces are IEEE 488.2 and SCPI compliant. In addition, the remote interfaces can access advanced features: