How do I cascade PXIe-2953 RF Mux?

[JimDoe21]

My signal count and scope channels slightly exceed a single card. Is it possible to cascade RF MUX cards to increase capability? I know other vendor cards can do this, but would be nice to keep all CCAs from NI.

Second, I have a 2533 MUX for DMM measurements, can I build a switch solution that would be able to have all DMM and Scope signals switched to either DMM or Scope?

So scope signals would come in coax, but through internal expansion, can I switch any signal to either DMM or Scope?

[santo_13]

Is your question related to electrical feasibility or software feasibility?

Electrically, it is possible, based on the number of switches in the path the insertion loss would vary. But in the software, you would have to consider them as two-muxs and switch them appropriately, it cannot automatically consider itself as a larger expanded mux.

What do you mean by "internal expansion"?

You can use a combination of 2533 and RF MUX as long as you are fully aware of the electrical effects associated with each component in the signal path

[JimDoe21]

Thanks for the response. It's an electrical/configuration question. So I want to have 2-3 PXIe-2593 RF MUX's in the chassis, and also have 1-2 PXI-2533 MUX's in the chassis.

The PXI-2533 will be wired to a PXI-DMM, while the PXIe-2593 would be wired to a o-scope. I would like to have the flexibility of all signals coming into each mux, to be able to go to either the DMM or the scope. 

I understand the logistics of wiring differences and effects/concerns of making sure crosspoints are handled properly, just trying to determine if it's feasible in hardware to wire in signals with expected measurement devices, but have the flexibility to choose meas device. 

The second topic would be how would I expand the RF MUX cards (tie them together) to get to 32x4 for example.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. 

[santo_13]

You would have to do a bunch of external wiring to achieve that.

You're expecting to create a 32x4 RF MUX, but it is not possible with just 2-3 RF MUXs

2593 MUX can work in one of the following configurations,

If operated in 16x1 configuration, you would need 8 qty of 2593

[JimDoe21]

Understood, I just made up that configuration #. I only need two cards. But how can I share all signals coming into the 2533 and 2593 (on columns)?

For example to join two 2533's, I'm going to run my signals on columns, and also put my DMM on the column. This leaves the 4 rows available and I can ties the rows together with the adjacent 2533 to add capability. Does anyone have any experience with also adding an RF mux to the design in case I want to bring any of the 2533 signals to the scope for measurements?

[santo_13]

This is one way of setting up the connections, signals are routed to both RF MUX and Switch Matrix, in software you decide where the signals should route and make measurement