Pickering Interfaces has officially introduced its groundbreaking 41-621 PXI and 43-621 PXIe arbitrary waveform generators at the prestigious Electronica 2026 exhibition in Munich, Germany. These new modules are designed to meet the growing demand for sophisticated testing capabilities across various applications, including avionics functional testing, full authority digital engine control (FADEC) assessments, multi-channel sensor simulations, and upgrades for legacy automated test equipment (ATE).
With a notable increase in channel density, these latest models offer the highest PXI and PXIe channel density for arbitrary waveform generators that operate above 20 MHz. By providing up to four channels in a single 3U slot, they significantly enhance the efficiency of test systems, offering engineers nearly twice the channel capacity per slot compared to competing solutions. Notably, Pickering estimates that the four-channel versions can deliver an approximate cost advantage of 40% per channel compared to similar offerings.
Tom Sarfi, the Product Line Manager at Pickering, emphasized the critical balance that modern engineers need to strike between testing complexity and system affordability. "Engineers require the capability to reproduce increasingly complex signals while ensuring their systems are compact, budget-friendly, and easy to maintain," he stated. The introduction of these advanced modules provides the additional waveform-generation channels necessary to help customers achieve smaller system footprints and reduced overall costs while enhancing stimulus flexibility. Furthermore, the long-standing support offered by Pickering ensures a reliable foundation for new testing systems and for refining existing automated test equipment.
Each channel is equipped with a high-resolution 16-bit digital-to-analog converter that can operate at speeds of up to 250 MSamples/s. The onboard waveform memory reaches up to 128 MSamples, providing output amplitudes of up to 20 Vpp into a high-impedance load. These modules are capable of generating sine waves up to 40 MHz and support both standard and arbitrary waveforms, making them suitable for simulating complex sensor signals and other testing stimuli. Additional built-in capabilities include amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), chirp, phase-shift keying, pulse-width modulation, and frequency sweeps. Moreover, channels can be synchronized and phase-aligned, supporting simultaneous stimulus generation across multiple channels, which is essential for intricate testing applications.
The arbitrary waveform family is available in both two-channel and four-channel configurations, providing users with flexibility in choosing between PXI or PXIe platforms. The PXI models can also seamlessly integrate into Pickering’s LXI and LXI/USB modular chassis, which include Ethernet- or USB-controlled options to cater to a variety of user requirements. The software environment is robust, offering compatibility with LabVIEW, Python, and C#, while also featuring a user-friendly soft front panel that enables quick configuration of standard waveforms, importing of custom waveforms, and setup for sweeping functions.
In addition to these products’ innovative features, they come with a standard three-year warranty and the assurance of Pickering's extensive product support, which typically spans an impressive 15–20 years or more. For organizations looking to enhance their testing capabilities, the 41-621 and 43-621 models represent a significant leap forward in arbitrary waveform generation technology.
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www.pickeringtest.com. Pickering Interfaces continues to lead the way in designing and producing modular signal switching, simulation, and connectivity products tailored for electronic testing and verification. Their comprehensive suite of PXI, LXI, and PCI solutions, coupled with diagnostic tools and automation software, serve a multitude of industries including automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, industrial, telecommunications, medical, and semiconductor sectors worldwide. With operations in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Sweden, France, the Czech Republic, China, and Malaysia, Pickering is well-positioned to support its global customer base effectively.