The Model 3732 Quad 4x28 ultra-high density reed relay matrix card, from Keithley Instruments, offers 448 single-pole matrix crosspoints. It was designed for automated switch and measure applications that require multiple instrument connections as well as high crosspoint density and high speed. It can be used in a range of high pin count research and development and production tests applications, says the company, such as low-level contact resistance testing of high-speed memory interface boards or next generation IC sockets. Matrix switching configurations allow system designers to connect multiple inputs to multiple outputs. With four banks of high-speed reed relays, each bank with four rows and 28 columns, or 4x28, each card provides 448 single-pole crosspoints. The relays can be configured as required.For example, matrix banks can be automatically configured as a single 4x112 matrix or as two isolated 4x56 matrices, with no need for external wiring. The card also has analogue backplane relays that allow expanding columns across cards automatically, up to a maximum of four rows by 672 columns in a single mainframe using six matrix cards. The relay matrix card also supports two-pole switching by automatically pairing relays to create either a dual 4x28 or a single 4x56 configuration. Dry reed relays offer low contact potential and low current offset to minimise the switching errors that often accompany this relay technology, according to the company. The relays will switch up to 200V at carry currents up to 1.2A, specifications not available in other high-density, card-based matrix solutions. The relays have a switching speed of 0.6ms and are rated for more than 109 no-load operations, suitable for use in automated testing. The card uses two 78-pin male D-sub connectors for signal and configuration connections.
