For this project, DMC leveraged past experience in designing measurement multiplexer systems for similar applications. By building upon an existing foundation of software control functions and hardware designs, DMC was able to implement a multiplexer module tailored to the clients specific needs with very minimal development time. DMC customized aspects of the system such as channel counts and DUT pin-out connections to meet the customers testing requirements, but utilized a proven core architecture for the multiplexer module to deliver optimal performance and reliability.
The system also featured a high isolation voltage of 1000 V between all multiplexed channels as required by unique aspects of the client's testing requirements.
The client wished to integrate the relay multiplexer module into an existing test platform that ran off of a custom Microsoft .NET Test Control Application that they had developed. To make this integration process as seamless and straightforward as possible, DMC implemented a set of .NET drivers to enable control of the multiplexer directly from a .NET application. This DLL included a library of simple function calls for direct control of all multiplexer operations and provided command acknowledgement and exception handling capabilities.
DMC's customizable relay multiplexing systems can similarly be controlled over a wide variety of interfaces including Serial (RS232 or RS485), Ethernet (TCP/IP or UDP), and CAN.
For easy transparency and visualization of multiplexer module operation, the user has the option of viewing the multiplexer system state through the front panel of the control server application (see photo). This provides an abstracted depiction of the actual state of all 300+ relays in the multiplexer and active measurement connections that is updated in real time during multiplexer operation.