Agilent Technologies E8401A, User And Service Manual, Page: 12 / 66

10 Getting Started Chapter 1
Installing VXI Instruments
The Agilent E840xA mainframes have 13 slots labeled 0 through 12. Any
VXI instrument can be installed in any slot; however, slot 0 is reserved for
devices capable of providing the system’s slot 0 functionality. This
functionality includes:
•
locating instruments installed in the mainframe
•
managing (arbitrating) data flow across the backplane
•
providing the system clock (SYSCLK - 16 MHz)
Examples of these devices are the Agilent E1406 Command Module and
embedded controllers such as the Agilent E623x series VXI Pentium PCs,
the Agilent RADEPC7B PC, and the Agilent E1497/E1498 V743
controllers.
Multiple instruments which combine to create a virtual instrument (e.g. a
scanning multimeter), and instruments which access the backplane local bus
should be installed in adjacent slots.
1. To prevent damage to the VXI instruments, install the instruments
when power is not applied to the mainframe.
2. Insert the instrument into the mainframe by aligning the instrument
with the card guides inside the mainframe. Slowly push the
instrument into the slot until it seats in the backplane connectors. The
front panel of the instrument should be even with the front edges of
the mainframe.
3. Tighten the retaining screws on the top and bottom of the module.
WARNING
All instruments within the VXI mainframe are grounded through
the mainframe chassis. During installation, tighten the
instrument's retaining screws to secure the instrument to the
mainframe and to make the ground connection.