Go ahead and compare the Agilent Technologies 34970A Data Acquisition/Switch Unit with other data acquisition systems currently available. You’ll find it hard to come up with a system that offers the powerful measurement performance, flexibility, and ease of use of the 34970A—even in systems costing three to five times as much.

How did we manage to pack so much performance into such a low-cost instrument? We borrowed technology developed for our top-of-the-line products and put it into a package that cuts assembly time, incorporates custom ICs to reduce parts count, and simplifies production testing. That means it costs us less to make. The results? You spend less without sacrificing quality or performance.

We took the measurement engine from our bestselling benchtop DMM and embedded it inside a 3-slot cardcage. You get the benefit of proven Agilent measurement performance, universal inputs with built-in signal conditioning, and modular flexibility, all in a low-cost, compact data acquisition package. The 34970A features 6.5 digits (22 bits) of resolution, 0.004% basic dcV accuracy, and ultra-low reading noise. Combine that with scan rates of up to 250 channels/sec, and you’ve got the speed and accuracy you need to get the job done right the first time.

Powerful flexibility-to get-your job done

Whether you need to measure temperature, ac/dc volts, resistance, frequency, or current, the 34970A can handle it. The internal autoranging DMM directly measures 11 different functions, eliminating the need for expensive external signal conditioning. And our unique design allows complete per-channel configurability for maximum flexibility and quick, easy set up. It’s-like having an independent, high-performance DMM behind each channel.

Custom configurations that-grow with you

Three module slots and eight switch/control modules allow you to customize the 34970A to meet your unique requirements. Buy only what you need—and add more modules later as your application grows.

Unequaled ease of use

From the simplified configuration procedures, to the self-guiding front panel interface, we put in extra time and energy to save yours. Simple things like on-module screw-terminal connectors, built-in thermocouple reference junctions, wellorganized user documentation full of examples and hints, and a standard Getting Started kit that will have you making measurements 15 minutes out of the box all add up to increased productivity, whether you use the instrument every day or only now and then.

Free software to-save you time-and money

In the past, you had to make a choice. On the one hand, you could choose the simple operation and low cost of a data logger. On the other hand, you had the flexibility and higher performance of a modular data acquisition system. The Agilent 34970A Data Acquisition/Switch Unit gives you the best of both worlds: a simple user interface with low per-channel cost, modular flexibility, and impressive measurement performance.

Whether you’re an R&D engineer working on characterizing your latest design, or a manufacturing engineer building a test system or troubleshooting a process, the 34970A Data Acquisition/Switch Unit offers the best combination of price and measurement performance.

Configured with a 20-channel relay multiplexer, the 34970A becomes a powerful, low-cost data logger for simple characterization applications— one-that’s quick to set up and easy to run. For more information on using the 34970A for data logging applications.

The 34970A is an automated test system with excellent measurement performance—it’s got the accuracy, resolution, and speed you need.

The Agilent 34970A is easy to use for a-multitude of data logging and monitoring applications, either stand-alone or with a computer. Its-flexible, modular design makes it-scalable from 20 to 120 channels, and lets you add actuator, digital I/O, and analog output channels for simple control. Its small size and ruggedized features make it perfect for portable applications, and its small footprint makes it ideal for cramped benchtop testing. Standard GPIB (IEEE 488) and RS-232 interfaces let you program the instrument if you wish to automate tests.

Do you want PC-based data logging capability, but don’t want to spend hours programming?

The BenchLink Data Logger 3 software is the answer. This Windows-based application is designed to make it a snap to use your PC for gathering and analyzing measurements. Use it to set up your test, acquire and archive measurement data, and perform real-time display and analysis of the incoming measurements.

A familiar spreadsheet environment makes it easy to configure and control your tests. And a rich set of colorful graphics provides many options for analyzing and displaying your data— all with point-and-click ease. Set up multiple graphics using strip charts, histograms, bar and scatter charts, individual channel results, and more. And of course you can use BenchLink Data Logger 3 to easily move data to other applications for further analysis, or for inclusion in your presentations and reports.

What’s more, each channel is independently configurable.

This means you can configure channel 1-for dcV, channel 2 for a K-type thermocouple, and channels 3 and 13 for a 4-wire RTD measurement—all on the same module, all in a single scan.

For custom linear conversions, use the Mx+B scaling function on any channel. You can even display a custom 3-character engineering label like RPM or PSI to identify your measurement units.

Versatile alarms

Alarms are available on a per-channel basis as well. Enter a high limit, a low limit, or both. The 34970A compares each reading to its limits and flags any out-of-range measurements. You can assign one of four TTL alarm outputs to any input channel to trigger external alarm lights, sirens, or send a TTL pulse to your control system, all without a PC connected.

Scanning made-simple

The 34970A automatically builds-a scan list that includes all configured inputs (even digital inputs from the Agilent 34907A multifunction module) in ascending order by channel number. You can pace scans by setting the 34970A’s internal timer for automatic scanning at a specific interval, by manually pressing a front-panel button, or by sending a software command or external TTL trigger pulse.

Monitor any input

A special display mode monitors a-selected input channel, continuously updating the display with new readings—even during a-scan. It’s great for keeping an eye-on a key input, or for troubleshooting your system before-a test.

Nonvolatile memory adds convenience, portability

All readings are automatically time-stamped and stored in a nonvolatile 50,000-reading memory—enough memory to hold more than a week’s worth of data (20 channels scanned every five minutes).

The-nonvolatile memory holds your data even after power is removed, so you can use the 34970A to collect data at a remote location for later uploading to a PC. And because the nonvolatile memory also holds your system configuration, if you lose power in the middle of a test, the 34970A resumes scanning when power is returned.

• From 1 to 120 channels of analog input
• Measurements include dc volts, ac volts, thermocouple, thermistor and RTD temperature measurements, 2- and 4-wire Ohms, dc current, ac current, frequency, and period
• 6.5 digits (22 bits) of resolution with 0.004% basic 1-year dcV accuracy
• 50k reading nonvolatile memory including timestamp
• Scaling and alarms available on each channel
• Full-featured front panel for stand-alone configuration, troubleshooting, and data viewing
• BenchLink Data Logger 3 software for configuration and data analysis
• Nonvolatile storage for five complete instrument states

The Agilent 34970A architecture offers advantages over other data acquisition solutions which rely on external or plug-in signal conditioning modules for handling functions other than dcV:

•  3-slot cardcage with 6.5 digit (22 bit) internal DMM
• 0.004% basic 1-year dcV accuracy; 0.06% acV accuracy
• Up to 120 single-ended measurements or 96 matrix crosspoints in a 3.5" high, half-rack instrument
• Eight switch and control modules include low-frequency and RF-multiplexers, matrix and actuation switches, digital input and output, analog output, and event recording
• Scan rates up to 250 ch/s
• GPIB and 115 kbaud RS-232 interfaces standard
• Software drivers available to support Agilent VEE and National-Instruments LabView
• Relay maintenance feature for system maintenance

If you don’t need the built-in measurement capability of the 34970A, save money by ordering it without the DMM. What you end up with is the lowest-cost switch unit on the market. It’s an ideal solution for routing test signals to and from your DUT and assorted instruments, including external DMMs, scopes, counters, and power supplies. Plus, you can add the DMM later if your needs change.

The functionality you need

We put a lot of thought into defining and designing the modules for the 34970A in order to cover a broad spectrum of switching and signal routing requirements with fewer modules. The result?

Simplified ordering and easier configuration. And while we were at it, we improved performance and density. The-34970A modules can switch from microvolts to 300-volts, dc to 2-GHz, and with densities as high as 120 single-ended channels or 96 matrix crosspoints per frame. Plus, simple control capabilities like analog outputs, open collector digital outputs, and-isolated Form-C-relays for controlling higher-powered devices are available.

Easy scanning

The 34970A can easily scan with external instruments. It builds a scan list that includes all enabled low-frequency multiplexer inputs. Scans are controlled with the external “channel advance” input, or with the front panel “Step” key.

A complete selection of plug-in modules gives you high-quality measurement, switching, and control capabilities to choose from. Modules include both low-frequency and RF multiplexers, a matrix switch, a general-purpose switch, and a multifunction module that includes digital input/output, analog output, and totalizer capabilities. You can mix and match modules to get just the functionality you need right now—then change or add more channels later as your application grows.

Modules for the 34970A are designed to make your testing easier, faster, and more reliable. Here’s how:

More channels in less space

Convenient connections

On-module screw-terminal connectors make wiring more convenient. Built-in strain-relief cable routing and cable tie points keep your wiring secure and safe from accidental tugs and pulls.

An internal analog bus routes signals from any of the low-frequency multiplexers directly to the internal DMM, without the need for external connections.

Use the chart below to help you pinpoint the modules that meet your needs.

Agilent Modules-at-a-Glance Selection Guide

We know you can’t afford instrument downtime due to hardware failures and unscheduled maintenance.

That’s why our engineers designed reliability into the 34970A: A rugged enclosure, state-of-theart surface mount construction throughout, reduced parts counts, and rigorous and thorough testing on all aspects of the product.

Take the guesswork out of relay maintenance

The 34970A uses our proprietary relay maintenance system to help you to predict relay end-oflife and avoid costly production-line downtime.

It automatically counts every individual switch closure and stores it in nonvolatile memory on each module. You can query the total number of cycles on any individual channel so you can schedule maintenance and avoid erratic end-oflife failures.

• Measurement accuracy is specified as percent of reading plus percent of range, where reading is the actual measured value and range is the name of the scale (1V, 10V, etc.)—not the full scale value (1.2V, 12V, etc.).
• DMM measurement accuracies include all switching errors. Switching errors are also listed separately in the module specifications section. Temperature measurement accuracies include ITS-90 conversion errors. The thermocouple accuracies include the reference junction error as well.
• Accuracies are listed as either 24-hour, 90-day, or 1-year specifications. This refers to the length of time since the instrument’s last calibration. Use-the specification that matches your calibration cycle. The 24-hour specifications are useful for determining short-term relative performance.

EXAMPLE 2: Extreme operating temperature

When the 34970A is used outside of its 18°C–28°C temperature range, there are additional temperature drift errors to consider. Assume the same conditions in example 1, but at a 35°C operating temperature.

Now, multiply the 10 V temperature coefficient from the following page by the number of degrees outside of operating range for additional error:

EXAMPLE 3: Thermocouple measurement accuracy

For this example, assume a J-type thermocouple input reading 150°C.

EXAMPLE 4: acV Accuracy

For this example, assume a ±1 V square wave input with 50% duty cycle and a 1 kHz frequency.

Up to three modules, in any combination, can be inserted into a single mainframe. The 34970A’s internal DMM connections are accessible only through the 34901A, 34902A, and 34908A lowfrequency multiplexers.

On-module screw terminals accept wire sizes from 16-gage to 22 gage. Twenty-gage wire is recommended for high channel count applications. The 34905A and 34906A RF Multiplexers use SMB connectors. A-standard set of (10) BNC-to-SMB adapter cables is provided with each RF module for convenient BNC connections.

All multiplexer modules employ break-beforemake scanning, ensuring only one closed channel (or channel pair) at a time. Multiple channel closures are allowed on the 34901A and 34902A modules when not configured for scanning.

The 34908A does not allow multiple channel closures at any time.

• 60 ch/s scanning
• Two- and four-wire scanning
• Built-in thermocouple reference junction
• 300 V switching

The Agilent 34901A is the most versatile multiplexer for general purpose scanning. It combines dense, multifunction switching with 60-channel/second scan rates to address a broad spectrum of data acquisition applications.

The Agilent 34902A employs reed relays-to achieve scan rates up to 250 channels per second. Use this module for high-throughput automated test applications as well-as high-speed data logging and monitoring tasks.

Sixteen two-wire inputs switch up to 300-V. Two- and four-wire channels may be mixed on the same module. User provided shunt resistors are required for current measurements.

• 60 ch/s scanning
• Single-wire switching for common-low applications
• Built-in thermocouple reference-junction

• SPDT (Form C) latching relays
• 300 V, 1A actuation and control

This general-purpose switch module has 20 independent single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) relays. Use it to cycle power to products under test, control indicator and status lights, and to actuate external power relays and solenoids. Combine it with matrix and multiplexer modules to build custom switch systems. Its 300 V, 1A contacts can handle up to 50 W, enough for many power line switching applications.

• 32 two-wire crosspoints
• 300 V, 1A switching

The Agilent 34904A gives you the most flexible connection path between your device under test and your test equipment, allowing different instruments to be connected to multiple points on your DUT at the same time. Rows or columns may be connected between multiple modules to build 8x8, 4x16 or larger matrices, with up to 96 crosspoints in a single frame.

• 2 GHz bandwidth
• BNC to SMB adapter cables-included

The Agilent 34905A and 34906A RF multiplexers offer broadband switching capabilities for highfrequency and pulsed signals. Use them to route test signals between your device under test and your signal generator, oscilloscope, spectrum analyzer, or other instrumentation.

The RF multiplexers are arranged as two independent 1x4 multiplexers, each with a common shield and a switched center conductor. Connections can be made directly to SMB inputs with 2-GHz usable bandwidth, or to the BNC-to-SMB adapters provided with 1 GHz bandwidth. Multiple banks may be cascaded together for applications requiring even larger topologies—create a stubless 16:1 multiplexer in a single frame.

• 16 bits of digital input and output
• 100 kHz totalizer input
• Two ±12V analog outputs

The Agilent 34907A allows great flexibility for a variety of sense and control applications. It combines two 8-bit ports of digital input and output, a 100 kHz gated totalizer, and two ±12V analog outputs—all-on a single earth-referenced module. The digital inputs and totalizer input may be included in a scan. Alarm limits for the digital and event counter inputs are evaluated continuously, capturing and logging alarm conditions even between scans.

It-keeps an updated total which can be read via the front panel or programmatically at any time. With 26 bits of resolution, it can count events at full speed for nearly 11 minutes without an overflow.

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