VXI Tektronix has made its product line obsolete, potentially creating a major headache for users. A solution may be in a new replacement programme just announced for the UK from TTi
Following the announcement that Tektronix has made its VXI product line obsolete from 31 March 2001, VXI Technology has created a programme that allows specific Tektronix products to be replaced with functionally superior products that will be supported for at least the next 10-15 years.
These products, available in the UK exclusively from TTi (Thurlby Thandar Instruments), will enable existing Tektronix VXI product users to continue building systems with minimal engineering impact, and yet provide an upgrade path that can fully utilise the benefits of the VXI Technology line of modular switches and instruments. Benefits of the VXI Technology products include reduced size, improved signal integrity, faster system throughput and lower overall system cost.
VXI products have been around since 1987.
As with older GPIB products, certain VXIbus products are now running into obsolescence problems, particularly if they were ported onto VXI from an older product.
Over the last 10 years, VXI Technology has provided products to replace such obsolete instruments, specialising in translation drivers, cross-reference cable assemblies, and other solutions to minimise the impact of re-engineering the existing test station design.
The decision by Tektronix to make its VXI product line obsolete leaves users who have standardised on certain Tektronix products, or have ATE built around these Tektronix products, with 'ATE obsolescence' issues.
Changing from these Tektronix products to an alternative family of products would traditionally require a large investment that would involve test program re-writes or translation.
This can get very costly depending on the number of fielded test programs.
The ideal approach would be to re-design the test station utilising products from manufacturers which are aggressively designing and marketing products with similar functionality.
However, this approach may not be financially viable.
The VXI programme provides a practical, cost-effective alternative.
A full list of all Tektronix obsolete models and the VXI Technology replacement models can be obtained from TTi in the UK.
