eBIRST™ – Switching System Test Tools

Switching systems are an important part of many test systems, however, the switching system is in a vulnerable place. 

When accidents happen that can cause a faulty device, you need a way to get the system up and running again with a minimum of effort and operator skills. That is where our eBIRST switching system test tools come in, they will:

  • Quickly determine if your switching system has faults
  • Identify where that fault is located at relay level and allow you to take fast corrective action
  • Save repair costs
  • Minimize downtime of the switching system
eBIRST - Switching System Test Tools | Pickering Interfaces

The eBIRST toolset consists of four different tools that support 200-pin LFH, 104-pin, 78-pin and 50-pin D-type connectors and a set of adaptors that allow connection to other connector types. 

A supplied application program controls the eBIRST tools via a USB2 port that also provides the tool power and controls the switching system using a Test Definition File to define the test sequence. 

These tools work by measuring the path resistance at the switching system external connectors using four-wire measurements, quickly establishing whether the path is good, has increased resistance or has failed. 

Supported Systems

Switching Systems Supported by eBIRST Tools

The eBIRST tools are self-contained; all you need is a USB2 port on a PC running Windows and the supplied application program. The program uses a Test Definition File created for each switching system that defines how to test the system. They can test any of our switching systems that use mechanical relays with precious metal contacts (typically contacts with a rating of 2A or less) or solid state relays. DC coupled RF systems using SMB connectors are also supported thru the use of test adapters. Each tool is generic—it will support DC coupled switching systems that use multi-pin connectors on our PXI, PCI and LXI controlled switching systems.

eBIRST Switching Systems Tools Diagram
eBIRST screen shot showing failed relays

Why us

Why choose Pickering products supported by eBIRST?

Users buy switching systems to test products. When the switching system develops a fault it causes downtime, consumes an engineer’s time to diagnose the fault and delays projects and sales. So when problems occur—instead of figuring out how to identify and rectify the fault, get your eBIRST tool connect it to the system and run the test.

eBIRST tools will quickly test the switching system, locate the faulty relay and inform you what relays to replace via a graphical output. Downtime is considerably reduced and the problems of misdiagnosed faults causing ineffective repairs to be carried out are minimized.

Ordering eBIRST Tools

The tables below provide information on what eBIRST tools are needed for different types of switching products, this depends on the type of connector used on the module to be tested. 

For each connector two options are listed, the first column lists the parts that are essential and the second column lists the optional verification fixture required if the user would like to independently verify the tools. The second table lists the parts required if the switching system requires the use of two tools. Some products with multiple user connectors and a switched thru path may require the use of two tools in a master/slave arrangement to provide 100% test coverage. If two tools are required, you will also need the Slave Mode Connection Cable.

Legend

200-pin Male LFH Test Tool
104-pin Female D-type Test Tool
78-pin Female D-type Test Tool
50-pin Female D-type Test Tool

Connector Type on
Module Under Test

Single Tool Parts Required

Optional Parts

200-pin
Female LFH
1 off 200-pin Male LFH Test Tool: 93-002-001 1 off Verification Fixture
200-pin LFH: 93-002-101
160-pin
Male DIN41612
1 off 200-pin Male LFH Test Tool: 93-002-001
1 off 160-pin Female DIN41612 Adapter PCB: 93-002-410
1 off Verification Fixture
200-pin LFH: 93-002-101
104-pin
Male D-type
1 off 200-pin Male LFH Test Tool: 93-002-001
1 off 104-pin Female D-type Adapter PCB: 93-002-422
1 off Verification Fixture
200-pin LFH: 93-002-101
96-pin
Male SCSI style
1 off 200-pin Male LFH Test Tool: 93-002-001
1 off 96-pin Female SCSI Style Adapter Cable: 93-002-226
1 off 96-pin SCSI Style Termination Fixture: 93-016-103
1 off Verification Fixture
200-pin LFH: 93-002-101
SMB coaxial
(up to 56 connectors)
1 off 200-pin Male LFH Test Tool: 93-002-001
1 off 56xSMB Co-axial Cable Adapter: 93-002-202
1 off Verification Fixture
200-pin LFH: 93-002-101
104-pin
Male D-type
1 off 104-pin Female d-type Test Tool: 93-022-001 1 off Verification Fixture
104-pin D-type: 93-022-101
100-pin
Female SCSI Style
1 off 104-pin Female d-type Test Tool: 93-022-001
1 off 100-pin Female SCSI Style Adapter Cable: 93-022-245
1 off 100-pin SCSI Style Termination Fixture: 93-019-104
1 off Verification Fixture
104-pin D-type: 93-022-101
96-pin
Male SCSI Style
1 off 104-pin Female d-type Test Tool: 93-022-001
1 off 96-pin Female SCSI Style Adapter Cable: 93-022-226
1 off 96-pin SCSI Style Termination Fixture: 93-016-103
1 off Verification Fixture
104-pin D-type: 93-022-101
78-pin
Male D-type
1 off 78-pin Female D-type Test Tool: 93-006-001 1 off Verification Fixture
78-pin D-type: 93-006-101
68-pin
Female SCSI style
1 off 78-pin Female D-type Test Tool: 93-006-001
1 off 68-pin Male SCSI Style Adapter PCB: 93-006-401
1 off Verification Fixture
78-pin D-type: 93-006-101
SMB coaxial
(up to 37 connectors)
1 off 78-pin Female D-type Test Tool: 93-006-001
1 off 37xSMB Co-axial Cable Adapter: 93-006-202
1 off Verification Fixture
78-pin D-type: 93-006-101
26-pin Male MS-M
RF Multi-Way
1 off 78-pin Female D-type Test Tool: 93-006-001
1 off 26-pin Female MS-M RF Cable Adapter: 93-006-255
1 off Verification Fixture
78-pin D-type: 93-006-101
50-pin
Male D-type
1 off 50-pin Female D-type Test Tool: 93-005-001 1 off Verification Fixture
50-pin D-type: 93-005-101
37-pin
Male D-type
1 off 50-pin Female D-type Test Tool: 93-005-001
1 off 37-pin Female D-type Adapter PCB: 93-005-418
1 off Verification Fixture
50-pin D-type: 93-005-101
25-pin
Male D-type
1 off 50-pin Female D-type Test Tool: 93-005-001
1 off 25-pin Female D-type Adapter PCB: 93-005-414
1 off Verification Fixture
50-pin D-type: 93-005-101
9-pin
Male D-type
1 off 50-pin Female D-type Test Tool: 93-005-001
1 off 9-pin Female D-type Adapter Cable: 93-005-238
1 off 9-pin D-type Termination Fixture: 93-003-103
1 off Verification Fixture
50-pin D-type: 93-005-101
8-pin Male Power
D-type
1 off 50-pin Female D-type Test Tool: 93-005-001
1 off 2x8-pinemale Power D-type Adapter Cable: 93-005-236
1 off 8-pin Power D-type Termination Fixture: 93-012-103
1 off Verification Fixture
50-pin D-type: 93-005-101
SMB co-axial
(up to 23 connectors)
1 off 50-pin D-type Test Tool: 93-005-001
1 off 23xSMB Co-axial Cable Adapter: 93-005-202A
1 off Verification Fixture
50-pin D-type: 93-005-101
1 off Verification Fixture
23xSMB: 93-011-101

Master/Slave Tools

Where two tools are required, use the following guide:

Connector Type on
Module Under Test

Tool Parts Required

Optional Parts

68-pin
Male SCSI style
(used on BRIC
modules)
2 off 78-pin Female D-type Test Tool: 93-006-001
2 off 68-pin Female SCSI Style Adapter Cable: 93-006-222
1 off 68-pin Male SCSI Style Termination Fixture: 93-015-103
Slave Mode Connection Cable: 93-970-301
1 off Verification Fixture
78-pin D-type: 93-006-101
All Other Connectors Tool for each connector as in table above
Slave Mode Connection Cable: 93-970-301
1 off Verification Fixture 
78-pin D-type: 93-006-101

Module Support

The eBIRST tool is being continuously expanded to cover the majority of our switching systems in PXI, LXI and PCI form factors that use the connector interfaces listed. To check if your switching systems are supported contact your local sales office.

Untitled Button

93-006-222

eBIRST 78-pin D-type to 68-pin Female SCSI Adapter

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors, including SMB

93-005-236

eBIRST 50-pin D-type to 2x8-pin Power D-type Adapter

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors, including SMB

93-005-202A

eBIRST 50-pin D-type Coaxial Adapter - 23 SMBs

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors, including SMB

93-011-101

eBIRST 23 x SMB Verification Fixture

These optional verification fixtures are used to verify that the eBIRST tool is working

93-006-255

eBIRST 26-pin MS-M RF Adapter Cable

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors

93-970-301

eBIRST Slave Mode Connection Cable

Required to connect two eBIRST tools together for applications requiring two tools to test thru paths.

£55

93-005-238

eBIRST 50-pin D-type to 9-pin D-type Adapter

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors, including SMB

£90
£140
£140

93-005-414

eBIRST 50-pin D-type to 25-pin D-type Adapter

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors, including SMB

£200

93-005-418

eBIRST 50-pin D-type to 37-pin D-type Adapter

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors, including SMB

£225

93-006-401

eBIRST 78-pin D-type to 68-pin Male SCSI Adapter

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors, including SMB

£250

93-002-422

eBIRST 200-pin LFH to 104-pin D-type Adapter

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors, including SMB

£275

93-002-410

eBIRST 200-pin LFH to 160-pin DIN Adapter

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors, including SMB

£285

93-005-101

eBIRST 50-pin D-type Verification Fixture

These optional verification fixtures are used to verify that the eBIRST tool is working

£340

93-006-101

eBIRST 78-pin D-type Verification Fixture

These optional verification fixtures are used to verify that the eBIRST tool is working

£440

93-002-226

eBIRST 200-pin LFH to 96-pin SCSI Adapter Cable

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors, including SMB

£495

93-022-226

eBIRST 104-pin D-type to 96-pin SCSI Adapter Cable

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors, including SMB

£495

93-022-101

eBIRST 104-pin D-type Verification Fixture

These optional verification fixtures are used to verify that the eBIRST tool is working

£515

93-022-245

eBIRST 104-pin D-type to 100-pin SCSI Adapter Cable

eBIRST adapters allow extension to other switching system connectors, including SMB

£525

93-002-101

eBIRST 200-pin LFH Verification Fixture

These optional verification fixtures are used to verify that the eBIRST tool is working

£545
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