Fault insertion switching for testing automotive and avionics test applications

Pickering Interfaces has expanded their range of PXI Fault Insertion Switching. These new switches (model 40-202), available with 22 or 11 fault insertion channels, were primarily designed to simulate fault conditions in automotive and avionics test applications involving the reliability testing of safety-critical controllers. They are designed for differential signalling requirements, with capabilities to insert three different types of fault condition between the test fixture and the equipment under test; open-circuit, short-circuit between signal pairs and short-circuit to user applied fault conditions such as power or ground. The switching topology of the 40-202 fault insertion switches allows switching channels to be interconnected so complex fault insertion channels can be constructed. These products are supported by the company's eBIRST Switching System Test Tools, which provide a quick and easy way of finding relay failures within the modules. In addition, Pickering’s signal routing software, Switch Path Manager, may be used to simplify signal routing through complex switching systems.