Mass Interconnect
What is Mass Interconnect?
Mass interconnect is a way of connecting test instrumentation to a device under test (DUT). To put it simply, mass interconnect is a very large plug and socket which connects your device under test to your test instrumentation without the mess and hassle of having to connect each signal separately.
Is Mass Interconnect right for you?
There are several considerations and questions to ask when considering the expense of adding a mass interconnect to your system: (The following was taken from “SwitchMate“. This portion of “SwitchMate” was written by Pickering Interfaces with the help of MAC Panel’s interconnect experts.)
Basic Mass Interconnect Components
Types of Mass Interconnect:
Traditional Mass Interconnect:
A traditional mass interconnect system primarily uses cable assemblies and patch cords to make the connection points between the tester and the D/UUT.This type of mass interconnect should be considered when the following criteria are met:
- When the test station is stationary and the worry of disturbing wires is minimal.
- When no exact-copy stations are required.
- When the concern of lead time is minimal.
Advanced Mass Interconnect:
An advanced Mass interconnect system (shown below) includes the same basic components on the ITA side of the system. The difference appears on the receiver side with the use of DAKs or direct access kits. DAK is a proprietary mass interconnect solution utilized in MAC Panel’s SCOUT system. DAKs eliminate or reduce the use of lose wires and cabling to bring the signal of the instrumentation out to the ITA by using PCB, flex circuit, and short length matched wires within an enclosed casing (DAK). The SCOUT approach (featuring DAK) can be used in PXI based test configurations. Advanced Mass Interconnect should be considered when the following critera are met:
- Test station is mobile and the worry of disturbing signals is great.
- Clone stations are needed.
- Total cost of test is important
- When I/O type and DUT mix is high.
Additional resources
In addition to the above information, there are a number of other resources to help you better understand mass interconnect, its uses, and benefits. Two such resources are the white papers listed below:
“Mass Interconnect and Fixturing” by National Instruments.
Mass Interconnect and Fixturing
“SwitchMate” chapter Vll by Pickering Interfaces
SwitchMate