The Angry Pixie is Running!

[blueskull]

As the controller's arrival today, I finally was able to power up my pixie (that's how Keysight sales rep pronounces PXI) system.

Currently, there are two 1GHz scopes and 3 SMUs in the box. A DMM module and an auto probe interface module are on their way.

I got really luck on procuring this system. The chassis was bought as "for parts or not working", and the only problem was a dead fan and some conductive dust accumulation. Oh, it came with TCXO upgrade as well.

After dedusting the PCB and replaced the fans, it no longer powers off randomly or complain fan fault anymore.

The controller was also a score. It was listed as used, but it turned out its brand new with only 4 hours of uptime and 40 power cycles. It is in the old painting (white, rather than the new red bars on gray), but for 1/4 the MSRP, I can complain nothing.

The only thing I have with it is the auto low noise fan, which when enabled, triggers the low RPM protection due to my fan has lower RPM than the original one. Since the cooling is actually very well, I decide to trick the system with an RPM doubler. That'd be a quick and fun project that I can also do a PCB designing tutorial on.

[gslick]

M9037A PXIe High Performance Embedded Controller
US$ 7,328 (x1)

M9243A PXIe 1 GHz Oscilloscope
US$ 12,504 (x2)

M9111A PXIe High-Speed Source/Measure Unit, 13 V, ± 1 A or 6 V, ± 3 A, 18 W
US$ 5,824 (x3)

That's only US$ 49,808 total list price for the plug in modules, if someone bought these new.

[gslick]

Dunno where does that "only" come from .

Sarcastic use of "only", meaning the exact opposite. 

[chickenHeadKnob]

 Mooovin and groooovn' back to China. Gotta lighten the load and sell stuff. Buys more stuff.. 

[Fludo]

PXIs are really awesome, but virtual knobs and virtual buttons will never replace the real thing!

[grifftech]

Dunno where does that "only" come from .

Sarcastic use of "only", meaning the exact opposite. 

just like "a small loan of a milion dolars"