| Platform Comparison Table |
| |
34970A
Data Acquisition
Switch Unit |
34980A
Multifunction
Switch/Measure Unit |
3499A/B/C
Switch/Control
Mainframes |
Agilent
VXI
Switch/Measure |
| Number of Available Slots |
3 |
8 |
5/2/9 |
111 |
| Number of Available Modules |
8 |
19 |
28 |
42 |
| Web Interface (via web browser) |
|
yes |
|
|
| Front Panel |
yes |
yes |
yes |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Available Module Functionality |
|
|
|
|
| Integrated DMM |
6 1/2 digit |
6 1/2 digit |
N/A |
5 1/2 digit1 |
| Max Scan Speed |
250 ch/s |
1000 ch/s |
350 ch/s |
13K ch/s |
| Max 2-wire Mux Channels |
60 |
560 |
360 |
1408 |
| Max 2-wire Matrix Crosspoints |
96 |
1024 |
288 |
2816 |
| Max Voltage |
300V |
300V |
1000V |
250V |
| Max Switching Current |
1A |
5A |
8A |
12A |
| Max Counter/Totalizer Frequency |
100 KHz |
10 MHz |
N/A |
200 MHz |
| Max Digital I/O Channels |
48 ch |
510 ch |
288 ch |
1056 ch |
| Max Analog Outputs |
6 ch |
32 ch |
18 ch |
176 ch |
| Max RF Frequency |
2 GHz |
3 GHz |
3.5 GHz |
3 GHz |
| Max Microwave Frequency |
N/A |
20 GHz |
20 GHz |
26 GHz |
| Breadboard (for custom circuits) |
|
available |
|
available |
| |
|
|
|
|
| I/O Interfaces |
|
|
|
|
| LAN |
|
yes |
|
|
| USB 2 |
|
yes |
|
|
| GPIB |
yes |
yes |
yes |
available |
| Firewire |
|
|
|
available |
| RS-232 |
yes |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Drivers |
|
|
|
|
| SCPI |
yes |
yes |
yes |
yes |
| IVI-C |
|
yes |
|
|
| VXIplug&play |
yes |
|
|
yes |
| IVI-COM |
yes |
yes |
|
|
| LabVIEW Plug and Play Driver |
yes |
yes |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| Mainframe Dimensions |
2U by
1/2 rack |
3U by
full rack |
5U by
full rack |
8U by
full rack |
| Mainframe Weight |
3.6 kg |
8.8 kg |
7.4 kg |
24 kg |
| Mainframe Cost/Slot (US$) |
$4922 |
$2942 |
$4023 |
$7584 |
1 Comparison of 13-slot mainframe, one slot used for GPIB interface, one slot for DMM
2 Integrated DMM included
3 Price for 3499C, no DMM included
4 Includes E8401A 500W Mainframe, E1406A GPIB, and E1411B DMM | 
