COVER STORY


Reed relay is differentiating factor for ultra-high-density PXI matrix


Last year, Pickering Interfaces, the manufacturer of modular signal switching and simulation products for use in electronic test and verification, launched a new generation of 1 amp PXI matrices that delivers twice the density of competing modules. One of the key components in any module of this type is the switching element – the reed relay – and it was developments made by sister company Pickering Electronics to its reed relay product range that has enabled Pickering Interfaces to get a performance advantage over its rivals. Graham Dale, technical director at Pickering Electronics tells us more


U


nlike the age-old chicken/egg conundrum, (NB: it was the egg), there is no disputing which


Pickering company came first. Pickering Electronics began producing reed relays in 1968; Pickering Interfaces was formed in the mid 1980s to broaden the company’s product portfolio when it appeared that solid state relays might eventually supersede reed and


electromechanical products. It has transpired though that over 30 years later, the applications for instrumentation grade reed relays has not declined. Pickering Interfaces has grown to become a leader in its field, claiming to offer the largest range of switching and simulation products in the industry for PXI, LXI, and PCI applications. Pickering’s products are specified in test systems


installed throughout the world and have a reputation for providing excellent reliability and value. The company’s latest product is the BRIC ultra-high-density large PXI matrix range (model 40-559), robust 1 amp/20 watt switching modules, with up to 4,096 crosspoints. The matrices are available in 2, 4, or 8-slot PXI sizes and are designed for high-performance matrix requirements. They are used in many industries including


automotive ECU and semiconductor package testing. Keith Moore, CEO at Pickering Interfaces, claims that the new BRIC PXI matrices “deliver twice the density of any competing module” – similar-sized offerings from close competitors “can only claim around 0.3 amp/3 watts.”


The key to this significant increase in capability is Pickering Electronics’ continual innovation of the reed relay. Despite advances by electromechanical relays – which can be cheaper but are slower and shorter-lived than reeds – and solid state switches – which are faster than reeds but which suffer from having a lower insulation resistance, a higher capacitance and path resistance – “reed relays are still the critical building block for PXI matrices,” claims Moore.


Over the years, Pickering Electronics has


pioneered several developments in reed relay design. One was the incorporation of a Mu-metal magnetic screen which enables relays to be packed very tightly together without risking operational failure due to magnetic interaction with adjacent relays. To this day still, some competitor’s products are unscreened. Another development introduced by Pickering Electronics is the use of a former-less coil construction. Having a self-supporting coil dispenses with the supporting bobbin commonly found in competing reed relays. This increases the space available for coil winding by about 50 per cent greatly improving magnetic efficiency. It also enables further product miniaturisation. When designing its new BRIC PXI matrix range, Pickering Interfaces wanted to create a product that would enable a complete Functional ATE switching system to be housed in a single 3U PXI chassis and allow the use of much lower cost 8 or 14-slot PXI chassis. The model 40-559 matrices are designed with built-in, high-performance screened analogue busing to minimise the cost and complexity of cable assemblies to the device under test as well as to instrumentation. The range also includes Pickering’s Built-in Relay


8 April 2018 Components in Electronics www.cieonline.co.uk


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