Description
Product Introduction
The HP Keysight Agilent E1406A is a C-size, single-slot VXI Command Module designed to act as the primary system controller for VXIbus mainframes. Installed directly into Slot 0, it manages backplane arbitration, resource management, and timing while serving as the main communications bridge between host PCs and test systems.
Unlike standard interface cards, the E1406A translates high-level SCPI (Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments) directly into low-level register commands for dumb VXI instruments. This eliminates the CPU overhead on your host controller and lets you control mixed-vendor VXI setups through simple IEEE-488 GPIB or RS-232 protocols.
Key Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification / Value |
| Form Factor | VXIbus C-Size, Single-Slot |
| Mainframe Functionality | Slot 0 Controller & VMEbus Resource Manager |
| Host Interfaces | GPIB (IEEE-488.2), RS-232 Serial Port |
| Onboard Memory | Up to 2 MB RAM, 1.75 MB FLASH ROM for drivers |
| Command Processing | Built-in SCPI Command Interpreter |
| Clock Synchronization | 10 MHz VXI Backplane CLK10 Generation |
| Interrupt Handling | VMEbus Interrupt Handler (Levels 1-7) |
| Power Consumption | +5V @ 2.8A, +12V @ 0.1A |
Application Scenarios & The “Trench” Experience
When an automated test equipment (ATE) rack goes down on an aerospace manufacturing line, the entire assembly process grinds to a halt. In our field experience, 90% of sudden VXI test bench lockups trace back to a dead Slot 0 controller failing its self-test or corrupting backplane address translation, paralyzing every instrument module downstream.
- Aerospace & Defense ATE Racks – Subsystem Verification – Acts as the core interface bridging legacy GPIB host test stations to high-density VXI card cages.
- Automotive Electronics Testing – ECU Functional Test Bench – Provides high-speed backplane clocking and synchronized triggering across multiple switching and DAQ modules.
- Telecommunications Testing – RF & Microwave Signal Analysis – Coordinates multi-instrument register operations using native SCPI translation.
Field Replacement Case: A defense contractor faced an estimated $45,000-per-day delay when their legacy missile-guidance test rack threw a Slot 0 arbitration failure error. The original HP E1406A had blown its power supply rail components after 18 years of continuous operation. Swapping in a pre-tested E1406A surplus module allowed the engineers to restore communication with the VXI chassis in under 20 minutes without rewriting a single line of test code.
E1406A
Transparency SOP: Quality Assurance & Testing
We do not just ship pulled boards out of legacy mainframes; we validate them on actual Keysight VXI chassis:
- Inbound Physical Inspection: Check for backplane DIN pin damage, trace oxidation, and OEM board revision consistency.
- Backplane & Power Rail Testing: Measure internal DC-DC converter stability and check for thermal hot spots.
- Live Chassis Rig Testing: Mount in Slot 0 of a C-size VXI mainframe and execute full Power-On Self-Test (POST).
- Communication Handshake Audit: Verify GPIB address recognition, RS-232 terminal communication, and SCPI command parsing across all channels.
- Flash & RAM Integrity Test: Exercise NVRAM read/write cycles and confirm driver load retention before anti-static packing.
The Veteran’s Tech Trap Guide (Crucial Value-Add)
- ⚠️ DIP Switch Configuration: Take a photo of the logical address and GPIB address DIP switch banks on your failing card before pulling it out. Setting the wrong logical address on the replacement will block the Resource Manager from mapping installed modules.
- ❗ Slot 0 Multi-Mainframe Hazards: If running multiple mainframes with MXIbus extensions, ensure only ONE command module is configured as the global System Resource Manager. Having two Slot 0 commanders on the same bus will cause instant arbitration lockup.
- ⚠️ Memory Option Mismatches: Watch out for firmware/memory option variations (e.g., standard vs. Option 010 expanded RAM). If your test software downloads custom VXI drivers directly to the command module, a standard memory card might throw out-of-memory errors on boot.
- ❗ Bent Backplane Pins: Inspect the backplane connectors on your VXI chassis before plugging the module in. A single bent P1/P2 pin on the backplane will short out the board and fry the replacement unit upon power-up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ for Conversion)
Q: Can I hot-swap the E1406A module while the VXI chassis is powered on?
A: No. Pulling or inserting this module live will damage the VXI backplane drivers and will likely corrupt the onboard NVRAM. Always power down the mainframe fully before installation.
Q: Is the E1406A backward compatible across HP, Agilent, and Keysight brands?
A: Yes. HP, Agilent, and Keysight are the same lineage. An older HP-branded E1406A is functionally identical to an Agilent or Keysight unit, provided the hardware revision and memory options match.
Q: Does this module require special driver software on the host PC?
A: No special module drivers are needed on the host PC beyond standard VISA or GPIB (IEEE-488) libraries, as the E1406A handles command interpretation onboard via SCPI.
Q: How do you guarantee the reliability of discontinued surplus inventory?
A: Every unit undergoes a 100% functional test in a live VXI rack, including bus arbitration tests and multi-hour burn-in. All sales are backed by our 12-month replacement warranty.
Q: Why buy new surplus or refurbished instead of sourcing directly from Keysight?
A: Keysight has officially discontinued this series. Surplus and refurbished inventory is the only way to keep legacy ATE systems running without undergoing multi-million dollar rack rebuilds.
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