The Keysight (Agilent) E8491B is a high-performance IEEE 1394-to-VXI Slot 0 interface designed for C-size VXI mainframes. It establishes a high-speed PC-to-VXI link, providing full Slot 0 capability, system control functions, and standard CLK10 generation. Ideal for test and measurement systems requiring fast data transfer and robust software compatibility via Agilent/Keysight IO Libraries.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | IEEE 1394a (FireWire), SMB External Trigger Input, SMB External Trigger Output, SMB CLK10 Output |
| Display | LED Status Indicators (FAILED, SYSRESET, ACCESS, ACTIVE, ONLINE) |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | Powered via VXI backplane |
| Operating Temperature | 0 to 55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 30.5 mm × 262 mm × 353 mm (C-size, 1-slot VXI) |
Host-to-VXI Interface Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Interface Type | IEEE 1394a (FireWire 400) |
| Host Connection Protocol | IEEE 1394 Serial Bus Protocol |
| Maximum Data Transfer Rate | Up to 13 MB/s (sustained block transfers) |
| Cable Type Requirements | Shielded 6-pin to 6-pin IEEE 1394 copper cable |
| Maximum Cable Length | 4.5 m |
VXIbus Compatibility & Performance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| VXIbus Specification Compliance | Revision 1.4 |
| VXI Card Size | C-size |
| Slot Footprint | 1-slot |
| VXI Slot 0 Capability | Yes (provides CLK10, SYSRESET, and System Controller functions) |
| VXI Backplane Clock (CLK10) Generation | 10 MHz |
| VXI Addressing Modes | A16, A24, A32 |
| VXI Data Modes | D08, D16, D32, Block Transfers |
| VXI Interrupt Handlers | Supports VXI interrupts on levels 1 through 7 |
Triggering and Synchronization
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| VXI TTL Trigger Lines Supported | TTLTRG0 through TTLTRG7 |
Onboard Resources & Hardware Configuration
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Logical Address Configuration | Hardware switch-selectable (usually set to 0 for Slot 0 controller) |
| System Controller Functions | VXIbus Arbiter, SYSCLK driver, SYSFAIL driver, SYSRESET driver |
Software & Driver Support
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| I/O Libraries Compatibility | Keysight / Agilent IO Libraries Suite |
| API Standards | VISA, SICL |
| Driver Support | IVI-COM, IVI-C, LabVIEW |
Environmental Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 °C to +75 °C |
| Relative Humidity Range | Up to 95% at 40 °C (non-condensing) |
Regulatory & Standards Compliance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| EMC/EMI Compliance | CE, FCC Class A |
| VXIbus Consortium Compliance | Fully compliant |
Ordering Information & Accessories
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Compatible Cables | E8491-60011 (4.5 m cable), E8491-60012 (2.0 m cable) |
Power Requirements
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| +12 V Current Draw | 0.05 A |
Status & Indicators
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Status LED Indicators | Failed (red), Access (yellow), Ready (green) |
Interface Connectors
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| FireWire Port Count | 2 |
| FireWire Port Type | 6-pin IEEE 1394 |
| SMB Trigger Connectors | 3 (External Trigger Input, External Trigger Output, CLK10 Output) |
Cooling
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Required Airflow | 1.1 L/s @ 0.01 mm H2O (for a 10°C temperature rise) |
Compliance
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Safety Standards | IEC 61010-1, EN 61010-1, UL 3111-1, CSA C22.2 No. 1010.1 |
VXI Interface
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| VXI Device Class | Register-based |
| CLK10 Generation Accuracy | ±100 ppm |
| A16 Address Space Occupied | 64 bytes |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Cooling Airflow Pressure Drop | 0.01 mm H2O (at 1.1 L/s) |
Technology
VXI / IEEE 1394 (FireWire)
Applications
VXI Mainframe Slot 0 Interface and System Controller