Keithley 707A Switching Matrix Mainframe

The Keithley 707A Switching Matrix Mainframe is a modular, six-slot mainframe engineered for signal routing and automated testing in research, development, and production environments. It accommodates Keithley plug-in switch cards to build custom switching configurations while maintaining backward compatibility with Model 707 and 708 switch card designs. The system scales from a single mainframe controlling up to 576 channels to a cascaded five-unit configuration delivering 2880 channels, with daisy-chain expansion supporting up to four slave units per master.

Technical Specifications

• Six plug-in card slots per mainframe


• Up to 576 channels per single unit; 2880 channels maximum with full expansion


• Maximum 360-column configuration with five cascaded Model 707A mainframes


• Daisy-chain expansion: one master unit plus up to four slave units Analog Architecture


• Three separate analog backplanes optimized for different switch card types


• Automatic row expansion between similar cards within a single mainframe User Interface & Memory


• 14-segment alphanumeric LED display with individual status LEDs


• Storage for up to 100 matrix setups with lithium battery backup


• One-touch front-panel programming: Digital I/O, External Trigger edge, Matrix Ready level, Master/Slave operation, IEEE-488 address, Relay Settling Time, Self Test, Card Identify Trigger & Control Performance


• Maximum trigger rate: 200 setups per second (make-before-break and break-before-make disabled)


• External Trigger response: <1 ms; IEEE-488 GET response: <1 ms


• External Trigger: TTL compatible, programmable edge, 600 ns minimum pulse width


• Digital I/O: 8 TTL inputs, 8 TTL outputs; Input Latch and Output Strobe control signals


• Matrix Ready: TTL compatible status output, programmable high or low true


• Make-before-break / break-before-make: programmable by row Programming & Options


• IEEE-488 bus control (TALK, GET, "X" command)


• Manual trigger capability


• Optional light pen control for crosspoints, memories, and switching modes; controls Master and all Slave units


• All parameters programmable except IEEE-488 bus address and Master/Slave mode

Typical Applications Automated component test, signal multiplexing, multi-channel data acquisition, production test switching, and parametric measurement systems requiring flexible high-channel-count routing.

Compatibility & Integration Full compatibility with existing Keithley Model 707 and 708 switch cards enables seamless integration into established test infrastructures.