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Pickering Interfaces Introduces Remote Gateway Software

In a significant advancement for electronic testing and verification, Pickering Interfaces has officially launched its new Remote Gateway software, making remote control of PXI and PXIe test systems more accessible and flexible than ever before. The innovative software employs gRPC technology, allowing engineers to manage their modules from any compatible application regardless of the operating system or programming language in use.

Based in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, Pickering Interfaces has long been a leader in modular signal switching and simulation solutions, and this latest offering promises to enhance efficiency for teams working in diverse environments.

Remote Operations with the New Software

One of the key features of the Remote Gateway is its ability to facilitate the operation of test hardware while keeping it close to the device under test or within a central lab rack. This gives engineers the convenience of executing applications from their workstations as long as they are network connected. By eliminating the need for each application to run on the controller linked to the chassis, the Remote Gateway allows for distributed development, making it an ideal solution for automated validation and production testing.

Alexander Jaiboy, Software Manager at Pickering Interfaces, emphasized the software’s role in addressing the modern needs of test teams. "With professionals increasingly collaborating across different locations and using varying operating systems, they still require unified access to the same physical hardware. The Pickering Remote Gateway empowers engineers by granting them the flexibility to utilize their existing PXI systems effectively, supporting operational needs while keeping hardware in its necessary location."

How it Works

The Remote Gateway integrates seamlessly with the existing Pickering driver APIs through a gRPC Device Server that can be hosted on either a PC or embedded controller. This functionality ensures that only the host system needs to have the Pickering drivers installed, thus protecting previous investments in hardware and software. Meanwhile, client systems can operate without the need to install the entire driver stack, reducing setup complexity and enhancing operational efficiency.

To support a wide variety of developers, Pickering provides server software tailored for both Windows and Linux operating systems, accompanied by Protocol Buffers (.proto) files that define remote interface specifications. With these resources, engineers can easily generate client code in various languages such as Python, C#, Go, and Java, ensuring that they can utilize their preferred tools and frameworks for instrument control within mixed software environments.

Advantages of gRPC-based Software

Built on the open-source gRPC framework and utilizing HTTP/2 transport, the Pickering Remote Gateway introduces a modern service-oriented interface to PXI testing. The ability to execute test routines, user interfaces, analytics, and orchestration tasks apart from the instrument-control host combines with the software’s capability to support cloud-hosted applications and automated development pipelines.

All products compatible with the Pickering PXI driver can be utilized within this gateway framework, allowing for remote access to various Pickering hardware even when housed in multi-vendor chassis configurations.

Availability and Support

The Remote Gateway software, along with associated Protocol Buffers files and comprehensive user manuals, is available for download on the Pickering website. For further details regarding the product and its capabilities, customers can visit Pickering's website.

About Pickering Interfaces

Pickering Interfaces is dedicated to the design and manufacture of modular signal switching and simulation products for electronic testing and validation. Their advanced PXI, LXI, and PCI solutions are employed globally across various sectors including automotive, aerospace, defense, energy, communications, medical, and semiconductor applications. As a forward-thinking entity in electronic testing, Pickering remains at the forefront of innovation, continually enhancing testing capabilities for professionals worldwide.