Agilent 3499A Data Sheet

Agilent Technologies
3499 Switch/Control System

Product Overview

Defining the

Meaning of Quality in ATE

High Quality,
Low Impact,
Easy Decision

The Agilent 3499 switch/control system is designed
forhigh quality signal switching in your automated test
equipment (ATE) applications. There’s no compromise
insignal integrity when you leverage your test equipment
with the 3499 switching topology. Its high-speed
architecture and high-density switching capabilities will
keep your test throughput to a maximum. And its low price
and compact design means you get this great performance
with minimal impact on your budget and operating
environment. That’s a primary advantage of
coming to Agilent for your ATE solutions.
Weconstantly push the quality envelope
in our designs. So you can always
have assurance about the quality
ofyour products.

2

At Agilent, we continuously strive
forthehighest quality in our products.

So you can do the same with yours.

Learn more at www.agilent.com/find/3499

3

The Agilent 3499 family defines the standard for
quality in switch/control solutions worldwide.
And you get a powerful architecture, compact
design, and low price.

The "Right Test"

Wide range of 30 different modules means
you can get the precise test solution you
need: no more no less.

High Throughput, Small Footprint

You can increase test throughput and
equipment utilization without adding floor
space to your manufacturing area.

Smart Design

Multi-function modules that integrate
switching and digital I/O allow you to make
best use of all available resources.

Easy Set-Up

Easy wiring simplifies cabling and increases
reliability. Simple, robust interconnections
accelerate system set-up and module
swapping.

Simple Maintenance

Built-in relay cycle counters help make
sure maintenance happens on schedule,
asexpected.

4

High speed, high density, highly usable.
The Agilent 3499 gets high marks in ATE

environments worldwide.

Performance Overview

There are three modular mainframes in the 3499 family:

• 3499B - two-slots, up to 80 channels

• 3499A - five-slots, up to 200 channels

• 3499C – 9/14 slots, up to 360 channels
The 3499C can accommodate up to nine plug-in

modules that can occupy up to fourteen physical slots,
thus providing a cost efficient configuration for modules
that are one, two or three slots wide. All mainframe
configurations of the Agilent can scan at rates up to
350channels per second, or open/close 200 channels
inless than 0.1 second.

You can choose from 30 different plug-in modules to switch:

• electronic signals from DC to 20 GHz,

• voltages to 1,000 V , or currents to 8 A

• optical signals from 1270 to 1670 nm
All units have an efficient user interface that works

equallywell on the manufacturing floor and in desktop
applications. High-performance switching modules,
multifunction modules, built-in relay cycle counters and
straightforward connections all contribute to the
performance and day-to-day usability of the 3499.
Here’ swhat it means in the real world…

Improved Throughput

While traditional switching
mainframes open/close relays in
sequence, the Agilent 3499A/B/C
systems use innovative parallel
driving circuits to open/close
switches simultaneously,
significantly increasing test
throughput. These systems also
provide high-density modules
with up to 40 channels per
module. Three multi-function
modules integrate switching,
digital I/O, and DAC’s in one
module to enhance system
performance.

NEW

Learn more at www.agilent.com/find/3499

5

Crimp & Insert
terminal block

Screw terminal block

Screw terminal block

DIN96-to-D25 cable

DIN96-to-D25 cable

Total Flexibility

The 3499A, B, and C mainframes
accommodate a full range of 30
modules, including multiplexer,
fiber-optical multiplexer, general­purpose relay, matrix, digital I/O,
VHF module, RF module,
microwave module, Form-C relay,
and three special multifunction
modules. By combining these
mainframes and modules, a test
system can be set up with fewer
modules in less space, and the cost
and complexity of the system can
be reduced.

Fast Set-Up

An easy-to-use interface and
industry-standard connections
mean fast set-up and integration
with the 3499. Usability features
include:

• Standard RS-232 and GPIB
interfaces

• SCPI (Standard Commands for
Programmable Instruments)

• Simplified configuration
procedures

• Self-guiding front panel
interface

• Easy-to-use module connection
accessories

Simplify control of switch modules
with Agilent TestExec SL 5.0
software (available separately).
Operate switches using user­defined signal names rather than
writing SCPI commands. TestExec
SL includes example setups for the
most popular 3499 modules.

Cost-Sensitive Test

With three mainframes and
30 modules to choose from, you
can make sure the 3499 meets
your exact needs. Build the system
you need today, add more
modules later as your needs
change. That means you buy only
the test capability you need.
Newly designed high-density
switch modules further reduce
the cost-of-test by combining a
large number of channels on a
single module. And with up to 40
switching channels per module,
the 3499 reduces per-channel
cost while saving rack and floor
space. You get a simpler system
with fewer modules, reducing
the cost of buying, owning and
maintaining your system.

Multi-Function Flexibility

Three multifunction modules
are supported with the 3499.
The Agilent N2264A includes
12 general-purpose relay
channels, three high-current
general-purpose relay channels,
and 16 bits of digital I/O. These
high current channels are ideal
for mobile phone test, battery test
and UPS test where only two or
three high-current channels are
required. The N2265A combines a
4x4 matrix switch with 16 bits of
digital I/O on one module. The
N2269A provides 16-bit optically
isolated digital I/O and two 16-bit
DACs in one module, along with
three power relay channels that
can switch signals up to 5 A.

Simple Wiring

The 3499 reduces wiring time
with removable screw terminal
blocks and crimp-and-insert
terminal blocks that are detachable
from the switching modules.
This eliminates the need to spend
time rewiring the connectors if
a switching module is replaced.
The seven high-density modules
use industry standard DIN96
connectors for better flexibility.
The modules are equipped with
DIN96-to-D50(25) cables for easy
connection to the DUT and test
instruments. These cables
completely eliminate wiring.

Minimum Downtime

The 3499 takes the guesswork out
of relay maintenance. A built-in
relay cycle counter automatically
counts every individual relay
closure and stores the values
onboard in non-volatile memory.
A simple command (DIAG: CYC?
Chan. xx) recalls the total number
of cycles completed for each
individual relay. You can use the
counter to accurately predict end­of-life relay failures, and perform
preventive maintenance ahead of
time, virtually eliminating unplanned
downtime due to failed relays.

Easy Migration

The 3499 is hardware and software
compatible with its predecessor,
the 3488A. All 3488A modules will
work in a 3499A/B/C mainframe
with all combinations of N2260A­82A modules. The 3499A/B/C
mainframes can be operated
with SCPI (Standard Commands
for Programmable Instruments)
or the 3488A command sets.
Upgrading from the 3488A to the
3499A or 3499C increases channel
capacity and lowers your cost-per­channel with no additional cost in
modules or software revisions.

6

Easy-to-read display
Internal power supply to support parallel

relay operation

Quick access to most-often-used functions

Intuitive self-guiding menu
Monitor display mode to make developing

programs easier

Store/recall keys for easy/fast set-up

Compatible with all Agilent 3488A modules–
protects your investment

30 plug-in modules to choose from for switching
and control

2-slot Agilent 3499B mainframe offers up to

80 channels

5-slot Agilent 3499A mainframe offers up to

200 channels

9-slot Agilent 3499C mainframe offers up to

360 channels

Built-in digital I/O and external trigger link
Built-in GPIB and RS-232 interfaces

Learn more at www.agilent.com/find/3499

7

The Agilent 3499 adapts to the needs
ofmanufacturers in the real world.

Mobile Phone Test

A typical test system for
mobile phones includes a
switch system, a GSM/CDMA
test set, a DMM (digital
multimeter), a power supply,
and a spectrum analyzer. An
Agilent 3499A with just three
modules provides a complete
switching solution for this
test system. The three
general-purpose high-current
relays in the N2264A
multifunction module switch
the mobile phone power
supplies: main battery,
backup battery, or charger.
With the three relays on the
N2264A, the DMM tests the
sleeping, standby, and
working current between 0.1
mA and about 4 A. Eight bits
of digital I/O provided by the
N2263A module drives the
external solenoid coils to simulate
key pressing. Eight additional bits
of digital I/O are used to drive a
coaxial relay to route the RF
signal coming from the phone
antenna to the GSM/CDMA test
set (for camping, call set-up,
power level, or biterror- rate test),
or to a spectrum analyzer (for
spectrum leakage tests). Three
more bits of digital I/O are used to
communicate with the mobile
phone under test. Working with
the DMM, the N2262A matrix
module switches the voice signals
to/from the mobile phone for
audio testing.

Pager Test

A typical test system that tests a
pager PC board consists of a
3499B equipped with one
multiplexer module, one matrix
module , one DMM, and one
power supply. This compact test
system can test one pager. In this
configuration, one two-meter rack
is capable of holding six to eight
test systems. One N2262A matrix
channel switches the DUT on and
off. Using a N2260A multiplexer
channel, the DMM tests the bias

voltage of the mixer, front-end

amplifier, and filters to

ensure that the different

circuits of the pager

are working properly.

Using another

multiplexer channel,
the DMM also tests

the working/standby

current to ensure that

the pager’s battery has

adequate working life.

3499A 5-Slot Mainframe

N2262A Matrix Module

N2263A Digital I/OModule

N2264A Multifunction Module

DMM Power Supply

GSM/CDMA Test Set

Spectrum Analyzer

A typical mobile phone final test

3499B 2-Slot Mainframe

N2260A Multiplexer Module

N2262A Matrix Module

DMM

Power Supply

Monitor

A typical pager board test system

8

SDH Multiplexer Test System

Testing SDH multiplexers is a
more complex task. A typical
test system consists of a
communication performance
analyzer, a optical multi-meter,
and a switch mainframe. The
mainframe is equipped with
two 1 x 8 optical multiplexers,
a quad 1x2 optical multiplexer,
four RF multiplexers, and a
general purpose 1 x 20 multiplexer.
This system can test eight SDH
multiplexer modules in the same
test in the final production test
procedure. Test items include eye
diagrams, BER, optical power
level, optical signal crosstalk,
2MHz mask, jitter and APD
sensitivity.

The typical test time lasts about
3-4 hours per module. In different
test items, the optical signal from
the Agilent 37718A analyzer must
sequentially loop through eight
different DUTs switched by the
N2282A and N2280A optical
multiplexers. The 44472A RF
multiplexers are used to route the
electronic synchronized signal or
10MHz clock signal. The 44470D
general purpose multiplexer is
used to switch the control signal
to each SDH multiplexer module.
All the signals including DC, RF,
and optical can be switched in
one Agilent 3499C mainframe,
resulting in significant savings in
rack space and system integration
time. The test system can also be
used for burn-in or aging test of
optical transmission equipment
working at 2.5Gb/s rate.

For more information, please
view our Test System Switching
application note online at

www.agilent.com/find/3499

3499C 9-Slot Mainframe

Two N2282A
One N2280A

Four 44472A VHF Multiplexer

One 44470D Multiplexer

37718A Communication Analyzer

8163A Optical Multimeter

8-slot DUT Test Closure

6030A, 48V/6A Power Supply

Typical SDH Multiplexer

Learn more at www.agilent.com/find/3499

Broad configuration flexibility using
up to 30 plug-in modules accounts
for the wide adoption of the Agilent
3499 worldwide. The following
tables make the point. The 3499 is
built for the unpredictable, ever­shifting needs of ATE.

Go Configure

Agilent 3499 Mainframe Selection Table

Slot Capacity 3499A:5 slots

3499B:2 slots.
3499C:9 logical slots, 14 physical slots

(six 1-slot, one 2-slot, two 3-slot)

Physical Size 3499A:2U high, full rack wide

3499B:2U high, half-rack wide
3499C:5U high, full rack wide

9

10

There are 30 plug-in modules including multiplexer, RF multiplexer, fiber-optical multiplexer, general-purpose
relay, matrix, digital input/output, Form-C, breadboard, multifunction modules. Please refer following table for
plug-in module selection.

Plug-in Module Selection Table

Module Description Max. Max. Current Initial Closed Thermal Offset Bandwidth Connection Relay Cycle

Voltage per Chan. Channel Resistance per Chan. Type Counter

Multiplexer Modules

N2260A 40-channel 200V 1A <1 Ω <3µV 10MHz T or C Yes
N2266A 40-channel 200V 0.5A <1 Ω <50µV 40MHz T or C Yes
N2270A 10-channel 1000V 1A <1 Ω <200µV 5 MHz Crimp & Insert Yes
44470A 10-channel 250V 2A <1 Ω <3µV 10MHz T
44470D 20-channel 250V 2A <1 Ω <3µV 10MHz T

General-purpose Relay Modules

N2261A 40-channel 200V 1A <0.5 Ω <3µV 10MHz T or C Yes
N2267A 8-channel 250V 8A <0.08 Ω <3µV 20MHz Crimp & Insert Yes
44471A 10-channel 250V 2A <1 Ω <3µV 10MHz T
44471D 20-channel 250V 1A <1 Ω <3µV 10MHz T
44477A 7-channel 250V 2A <1 Ω <3µV 10MHz T

Matrix Modules

N2262A 4 x 8 matrix 200V 1A <1 Ω <3µV 10MHz T or C Yes
44473A 4 x 4 matrix 250V 2A <1 Ω <3µV 10MHz T

Digital I/O Modules

N2263A 32-bit TTL 42V 0.6A NA NA NA T or C
44474 A 16-bit TTL 30V 0.125A NA NA NA T

Multifunction Modules

N2264A 12 GP 200V 1A <0.5 Ω <3µV 10MHz T or C Yes

3 GP 125V 5A <0.1 Ω <3µV 10MHz T or C Yes

16-bit DIO 42V 0.6A NA NA NA T or C

N2265A 4 x 4 matrix 200V 1A <1 Ω <3µV 10MHz T or C Yes

16-bit DIO 42V 0.6A NA NA NA T or C

N2269A 2 DAC 12V 10mA NA NA NA T or C

16-bit DIO TTL-compatible NA NA NA NA T or C

Note: GP = General-purpose, DIO = Digital I/O, T = Terminal Block, C = Cable.

Fiber-optical Multiplexer Modules (typical specs)
Modules Description Insertion loss Stability Repeatability Wavelength Connector Switching Time

N2280A Quad 1 x 2 0.5 dB ± 0.03dB ± 0.005dB 1310/1550 nm SC/APC 15 ms
N2281A Dual 1 x 4 0.5 dB ± 0.03dB ± 0.0065dB 1310/1550 nm SC/APC 20 ms
N2282A Single 1 x 8 0.5 dB ±0.02dB ± 0.005/0.01dB 1270/1670 nm SC/APC 250 ms

RF & Microwave Modules
Modules Description Insertion loss Cross talk SWR Bandwidth Impedance Connector

N2268A Dual 1 x 4 <0.35dB <-64dB <1.20 3.5 GHz 50 Ω SMA
N2272A Single 1 x 9 <0.5dB <-75dB <1.20 1.0 GHz 50 Ω BNC
N2276A Dual 1 x 6 <0.36dB <-100dB <1.20 20 GHz 50 Ω SMA
N2276B Relay driver can support 2 microwave switches. Technical specs depend on the mounted relays.
44472A Dual 1 x 4 <0.75dB <-85dB <1.12 300 MHz 50 Ω BNC
44478A Dual 1 x 4 <1.1dB <-70dB <1.35 1.3 GHz 50 Ω BNC
44478B Dual 1 x 4 <1.1dB <-70dB <1.35 1.3 GHz 75 Ω BNC
44476A Triple 1 x 2 <0.25dB <-90dB <1.15 18 GHz 50 Ω SMA
44476B Relay driver can support 2 microwave switches. Technical specs depend on the mounted relays.

Module Connection Accessories

N2290A Screw terminal block for N2260A, N2266A N2295A Screw terminal block for N2265A
N2291A Screw terminal block for N2261A N2329A Screw terminal block for N2269A
N2292A Screw terminal block for N2262A N2327A Crimp & Insert Connection kit for N2267A
N2293A Screw terminal block for N2263A N2320A Crimp & Insert Connection kit for N2270A
N2294A Screw terminal block for N2264A
N2296A Crimp & insert terminal block for N2260/1/2/3/4/5/6A.
N2297A 1.5 m cable for connecting DUT to N2260/1/3/4/5/6A, one DIN96-to-Twin-D50.
N2298A 1.5 m cable for connecting to DUT to N2262A, one DIN96-to-D25.
N2299A 1.5 m cable for connecting to N2260/1/3/4/5/6A, one DIN96-to-Quad D25.

11

Learn more at www.agilent.com/find/3499

Agilent Technologies Products
Mainframes

3499A 5-Slot Switch/Control Mainframe, includes

hard copy manual and power cord. Plug-in
modules are ordered separately and are
required for operation.

3499A-0B0 Delete Hard Copy User's Manual
3499A-1CP Rack Mount Kit with Handles
3499A-1CM Rack Mount Kit
3499A-0B1 Add additional User's Manual

3499B 2-Slot Switch/Control Mainframe, includes

hard copy manual and power cord. Plug-in
modules are ordered separately and are
required for operation.

3499B-0B0 Delete Hard Copy User's Manual
3499B-1CM Rack Mount Kit with half-rack filler

panel

3499B-0B1 Add additional User's Manual
3499C 9/14-Slot Switch/Control Mainframe.

User's manual is not included. Must order
3499C-0B1 for hardcopy of the User's Manual.

Plug-in modules are ordered separately and are

required for operation.
3499C-0B1 Hardcopy of User's Manual
For rackmount kit w/o handles, order the Agilent

standard cabinet accessory 5063-9216
For rackmount kit with handles, order the Agilent

standard cabinet accessory 5063-9223.

Mainframe Filler Panels
3499C-FP1 1-slot width filler panel for

3499A/B/C mainframes
3499C-FP2 2-slot width filler panel for

3499A/B/C mainframes

Plug-in modules, screw terminal blocks
NOT included

N2260A 40-channel Multiplexer Module
N2261A 40-channel General Purpose Relay Module
N2262A 4 x 8 Matrix Module
N2263A 32-bit Digital I/O Module
N2264A 12 + 3 GP + 16-bit Digital I/O Module
N2265A 4 x 4 Matrix + 16-bit Digital I/O Module
N2266A 40-channel High-speed Multiplexer

Module

N2267A 8-channel 8 A General Purpose Relay

Module

N2268A Dual 1 x 4 RF (3.5 GHz) Multiplexer

Module

N2269A 32-bit Optical Isolated DIO + 2 DACs

Module

N2270A 10-channel 1000 V Multiplexer Module
N2272A 1 x 9 RF (1GHz) Multiplexer Module
N2276A Dual 1 x 6 Microwave Multiplexer

Module

N2276A-204 Dual 1 x 4 Multiplexer
N2276A-206 Dual 1 x 6 Multiplexer
N2276B Microwave Multiplexer Driver Module
N2280A Quad Optical 1 x 2 Multiplexer Module,

SC/APC

N2281A Dual Optical 1 x 4 Multiplexer Module,

SC/APC

N2282A 1 x 8 Optical Multiplexer Module, SC/APC
N2289A Mini-DIN-to-D9 cable for built-in DIO in

3499A/B

N2290A Screw terminal block for N2260A and

N2266A

N2291A Screw terminal block for N2261A
N2292A Screw terminal block for N2262A
N2293A Screw terminal block for N2263A
N2294A Screw terminal block for N2264A
N2295A Screw terminal block for N2265A
N2296A Crimp & Insert terminal block for N2260-5A
N2297A DIN96-to-Twin-D50 cable for N2260-5A
N2298A DIN96-to-D25 cable for N2262A
N2299A DIN96-to-Quad-D25 cable for N2260-5A
N2320A Crimp & Insert Connection kit for N2270A
N2327A Crimp & Insert Connection kit for N2267A
N2329A Screw Connection Kit for N2269A

Plug-in modules (Agilent 3488A family),
screw terminal blocks included

44470A 10-channel Relay Multiplexer Module
44470D 20-channel Relay Multiplexer Module
44471A 10-channel GP Relay Module
44471D 20-channel GP Relay Module
44472A Dual 1 x 4 RF (300MHz) Multiplexer

Module (50Ω)

44473A 4x4 Matrix Switch Module
44474A 16-bit Digital I/O Module
44475A Breadboard Module
44476A Microwave Multiplexer Module
44476B Microwave Switch Driver Module
44477A 7-channel Form-C Relay Module
44478A Dual 1x4 RF (1.3 GHz) Multiplexer (50Ω)
44478B Dual 1x4 RF (1.3 GHz) Multiplexer (75Ω)
44480A Connector Kit for 44470A
44480B Connector Kit for 44470D

Ordering Information

www.agilent.com

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© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2002
Printed in the USA April 19, 2002
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