Plug-ins
5 subcategories
Modular test and measurement systems rely on plug-in modules to adapt mainframes to changing test environments. By isolating specific measurement circuits onto individual cards, engineers can scale channel counts, switch topologies, or alter analysis domains without purchasing entirely new instrumentation. This category spans high-speed optical and electrical sampling modules, multi-channel logic analyzers, switch matrices, and optical utility cards. When choosing a plug-in, compatibility is strictly limited by the host mainframe's system architecture, slot physical dimensions, and electrical interface. Engineers must evaluate physical form factors, timing resolutions, optical wavelengths, and bandwidth capacities to select the correct module for their targeted application.
- Highest Optical Bandwidth
- 70 GHz
- Maximum Logic Analyzer Channels
- 136 channels
- Warm-up Time Range
- 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Key Configurations
- Optical/Electrical, Switch/Mux, Logic Analyzer
Subcategories
Optical and Electrical Sampling Modules
Sampling oscilloscope plug-ins integrate specialized optical and electrical measurement channels directly into a digital communication analyzer mainframe. These modules are commonly deployed for compliance testing of transceivers and telecom links.
Bandwidth performance varies significantly across different generations. The Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 86101A features a 2.8 GHz optical receiver paired with a selectable 12.4 GHz or 20 GHz electrical channel. Mid-range performance is represented by the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 86105B, which delivers a 15 GHz optical channel and a 20 GHz electrical channel. For higher speeds, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 86105C operates with a 9 GHz optical and a 20 GHz electrical channel, while the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 86105D offers configurations with up to 34 GHz optical and 50 GHz electrical bandwidth.
At the highest end of the speed spectrum, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 86106B steps up to 28 GHz optical and 40 GHz electrical bandwidth, whereas the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 86116C provides up to 70 GHz optical and 93 GHz electrical bandwidth on single-mode fiber. Connector standards shift to handle these high frequencies, moving from 3.5 mm connectors on lower bandwidth modules to a 2.4 mm connector on the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 86106B, and a 1.0 mm connector on the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 86116C.
Logic Analyzer Plug-In Modules
Logic analyzer modules focus on parallel digital bus analysis, translating high-density logic signals into coherent timing diagrams and state listings. These modules occupy physical mainframe slots and interface with target circuits through specialized passive or active probe assemblies.
Channel density and sampling speeds determine the compatibility of the module with specific bus architectures. The legacy Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 16550A provides 102 channels per single-slot module with a maximum state clock rate of 100 MHz and a maximum timing sample rate of 500 MHz in half-channel mode. In contrast, the double-wide Tektronix TLA7AA4 module increases channel density to 136 channels, utilizing MagniVu technology to achieve a 125 ps timing resolution across all channels alongside a state speed of up to 800 MHz.
Switch Units and Optical Utility Cards
Some plug-in platforms emphasize signal routing and signal conditioning over direct measurement. These modules aggregate multiple relays, multiplexers, or optical switches to automate complex test systems.
On the electrical side, the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 34980A mainframe accepts up to eight modular cards (such as the 34921A through 34959A series) to route up to 560 2-wire multiplexer channels or manage 4096 matrix crosspoints. For purely optical systems, the Ando AQ8200 / AQ8201 Series Systems accommodate up to 10 plug-in modules, allowing engineers to mix power meters, optical switches, splitters, return loss measurement modules, and multi-wavelength analyzers within a single 19-inch rack chassis.
Frequently asked questions
- How do physical slot requirements differ between plug-in modules?
- Mainframes have dedicated physical dimensions and power budgets. Some high-density modules, like the Tektronix TLA7AA4, are double-wide and require two slots, while others, like the Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 16550A and the 86100-series optical modules, fit into a single slot.
- Do high-performance plug-in modules require warm-up times before measurements are valid?
- Yes. Highly sensitive digital and optical modules require a thermal stabilization period. The Tektronix TLA7AA4 logic analyzer has a specified 30-minute warm-up time, while the ultra high-speed Keysight Technologies (Agilent HP) 86116C sampling module requires a 1-hour warm-up time to guarantee its calibrated specifications.