M9506AHigh-Performance, 5-slot AXIe Chassis
PCIe Gen 3, 16 GB/s slot BW, up to 300 W/slot

Find us at www.keysight.com

Page 1

Introduction
The Keysight Technologies, Inc. M9506A is a high-performance AXIe chassis and is the best choice fordemanding, modular applications. The chassis is compliant with the AXIe 1.0 Rev 3.0 Wide-AXIespecification. It provides 5 slots for AXIe instrument modules, up to 300 watts per slot, and includes anembedded system module that does not take up an instrument slot. The embedded system module(ESM) provides a Gen 3 x8/x16 PCIe® interfaces for connecting the chassis to an external controller orexpanding the system using multiple chassis. To minimize rack space, the instrument module slots arearranged horizontally. The chassis is the quietest AXIe chassis available with its new cooling design.

Key features• Five x16 Gen 3 slots compliant to AXIe 1.0 Revision 3 (AXIe-wide)• Embedded system module with flexible, dual Gen 3 x8 PCIe interface for high data BW and multichassis configurations• ThunderboltTM 3 interface provides an alternative connection to a Thunderbolt-equipped laptop or
desktop computer and doesn’t require a PC interface card in most cases• 62 differential, high-bandwidth local bus lines provide very large data path between adjacent modules• High-performance, push-pull cooling system increases airflow while decreasing fan noise• High-power with up to 300 W cooling per slot
• Open Zone 3 for system customization• Multi-chassis power-sequencing and front panel external trigger inputs/outputs for multi-chassis
synchronization• Front-removable fan trays• GPS synchronization and time stamping option (M9506A-GP1)• Optional integrated backside controller for digitizers (M9506A-BC1), enabling secure SCPI over LAN
functionality

Find us at www.keysight.com

Page 2

Backplane Configuration
The M9506A provides a Gen 3 x16 PCIe linked to each instrument along with a high-performance local
bus, GbE LAN fabric, DC power rail, and triggering lines.

Figure 1. M9506A AXIe chassis backplane

Figure 2. Backplane block diagram

Find us at www.keysight.com

Page 3

Embedded System Module (ESM)
The M9506A AXIe chassis utilizes an embedded system module to perform the chassis managementfunctions contained in the AXIe specification. In addition, the ESM also provides external clock andtrigger in/out connectors for system synchronization. It can be connected to the host using either a Gen
3 x8/x16 PCIe or Thunderbolt 3 cable. The front panel x8 PCIe connectors are disabled when using theThunderbolt connection.

Figure 3. M9506A ESM block diagram

Open Zone 3
The M9506A chassis provides access to the Zone 3 defined in the AXIe standard. Access to Zone 3 isachieved by removing back panel and backplane covers. This will access to the Zone 3 area on
modules in slots 2-5 and is perfect for applications such as running cable to the back of AXIe modules.

Figure 4. M9506A Zone 3 access

Find us at www.keysight.com

Page 4

GPS Synchronization and Timestamping (option M9506A-GP1)
The M9506A-GP1 option adds GPS synchronization ability along with an external antenna port on thefront panel. It provides an accurate 1 PPS output and the 10/100 MHz reference can be locked to thisclock. The PPS signal can be propagated to trigger I/O and trigger events can be timestamped. Other
GPS information is also provided including latitude, longitude, and altitude.

Integrated Backside Controller for Digitizer Modules (option M9506A-BC1)
Test system security is a challenge that many Aerospace and Defense (AD) customers face. The open
operating systems found in current test equipment is a vulnerability point that requires significant
management and overhead. Additionally, many of these customers prefer the ease of use of traditional
benchtop equipment which have LAN interfaces, SCPI programming, and historically had closed
operating systems.
Option -BC1 was developed to enhance security for high channel count digitizer applications, bringing
the ease of use of traditional benchtop together with the benefits of a modular platform. A simple LAN
connection gives you easy SCPI based control of many channels in a small space.
• Ease of use of traditional benchtop
o LAN Interfaceo SCPI programmingo Closed OS• Benefits of modular platformo Performanceo Channel densityo Power consumption / cable management
Option -BC1 adds a closed, instrument-grade, Linux-based controller to the back of the M9506A chassis.
It includes the necessary software layers (i.e. VISA / HiSLIP server, SCPI parser, Linux instrumentdriver) for SCPI over LAN control of the M9703B, M9710A, and M9709A digitizers. (see Figure 5).

Figure 5. Conceptual block diagram for M9506A-BC1. Support of additional HW simply requires additional
softwareFind us at www.keysight.com

Page 5

Software Platform
DriverThe M9506A chassis comes complete with IVI. NET, IVI-C, and LabVIEW drivers. Windows 7, 8.1, and 10
operating systems are supported, and applications can be created using a variety of software tools including
LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, MATLAB, VEE, Visual Basic, VisualStudio.NET (C/C++, C#, VB.NET).

Chassis Web Interface
The AXIe chassis includes a built-in Web interface for configuration, control, and monitoring of thechassis (Figure 6). This interface can be accessed by either LAN or PCIe.

Figure 6. M9506A Web interface

Find us at www.keysight.com

Page 6

Soft Front Panel Interfaces
Two Soft Front Panel (SFP) interfaces to monitor and control the AXIe chassis are provided with theM9506A driver. Both SFPs use the IVI driver for communications with the chassis.
• The chassis monitoring SFP has some of the basic functionality of the chassis Web page and allows theuser to review numerous performance characteristics such as fan speeds, chassis temperatures, andpower supply operating conditions. The monitoring SFP is shown in Figure 7.
• The triggering SFP provides an interface to the chassis triggering subsystem and simplifies
triggering setup. The trigger SFP is shown in Figure 8.

Figure 7. Chassis monitoring SFP

Find us at www.keysight.com

Page 7

Figure 8. Trigger SFP

Find us at www.keysight.com

Page 8

Technical Specifications and Characteristics
General Chassis Characteristics
Standards Compliance
AXIe-1 Revision 3.0
Backplane
Instrument module slots

5AXIe system module

Embedded

ESM slot configuration

x16

AXIe instrument slot configuration

x16

Backplane speed

PCIe revision 3.0 (Gen 3)
MechanicalSize

482 mm W x 195 mm H x 497 mm D (with bumpers)
449 mm W x 177 mm H x 497 mm D (with bumpers removed)
4U x 1 rack width

Weight (without modules)

23.5 kg (51.8 lbs)
Power Supply Characteristics
AC Input

Operating voltage/power
Input frequency range

1Over current protection

100/120 V, 1380 W (maximum) 220/240 V, 2000 W (maximum)
50/60 Hz
Auto-recovery
DC output

DC output voltage
Maximum ripple and noise

52 V
500 mV pk-pk

Instrument Module DC Output PowerCharacteristics
Maximum DC output power

100/120 V AC

220/240 V AC

940 W

1500 W

Maximum DC output current

18.0 A

28.8 A

Power dissipation, instrument slot
100/120 V

300 W 2, 3

220/240 V

300 W 3
Chassis Cooling

Slot airflow direction

Right to Left

Chassis cooling intake

Right side of chassis

Chassis cooling exhaust

Left side of chassis

Chassis cooling fans

Six 90 cfm intake fans and six 90 cfm exhaust fans

1.
2.
3.

Auto switching between 100/120V and 220/240V .
Limit total slot power dissipation to 940 W when using 100/120 VAC (a maximum of three slots dissipating 300 W each aresupported).
A maximum per slot dissipation of 300W at 40 °C and 1500 m will result in a ≤15oC module temperature rise. At 50 °C and3000 m, module temperature rise will be ≤18 °C.

Find us at www.keysight.com

Page 9

Clocks and Triggers
100 MHz System Clock (CLK100)
Maximum slot-to-slot skew

100 psAccuracy±30 ppm

Input impedance

50 Ω
AXIe Differential Star Trigger (STRIG)

Maximum slot-to-slot skew
Connector

100 psExternal Clock Out (10 MHz Out)SMB

Output frequency

10 MHz ±30 ppm

Output level

3.3 V, AC coupled

Output impedance

50 Ω
External Clock In (10 MHz In)

Connector

SMB

Frequency input

10 MHz ±100 ppm

Input level

5 V pk-pk, AC coupled

Minimum swing

250 mV

Input impedance

50 Ω
External Triggers (Trig1 and Trig2)

Connectors
Direction
Output level
Output impedance (push-pull)
Output impedance (open-drain)
Input level

SMB
Programmable3.3 V CMOS
50 Ω
316 Ω pulled up to 3.3 volts±5 V, adjustable threshold

Input impedance

50 Ω or 3 kΩ (programmable)

Minimum input swing

250 mVGPS Option

Receiver

U-Blox LEA-M8F

Supported systems

GPS (L1), GLONASS (L1), and BeiDou (B1)

PPS accuracy≤ 20 ns Clear sky

Tracking sensitivity-165 dBm (GPS, GLONASS), -160 dBm (BeiDou)

Sensitivity (cold start)-148 dBm (GPS), -145 dBm (GLONASS), -138 dBm (BeiDou)

Required antenna type

3.3V Active Antenna

Active antenna recommendations

Minimum gain: 15 dB
Maximum gain: 30 dB Maximum noise figure: 1.5 dB

Antenna connector

SMB

Find us at www.keysight.com

Page 10ESM Front Panel Connectors

Environmental Characteristics 1, 2
Operating and Storage Conditions
OperatingStorage
Temperature
0 °C to 50 °C-40 °C to 70 °C
Altitude
Up to 3000 m
Up to 4600 m
Maximum Relative Humidity (nonType tested, 95%RH up to 40°C, decreases linearly to 45%RH
condensing)at 50 °C 3Vibration
Operating random vibration: type-tested at 5 to 500 Hz, 0.21 g rms
Survival random vibration: type-tested at 5 to 500 Hz, 2.09 g rms
Acoustical Emissions (referenced to 1 pW)
Typical Emissions at Different Cooling Loads per Slot 5200 W
250 W
300 W 64Sound pressure level
60.8 dBA
64.5 dBA
71.0 dBA
Sound power
68.0 dBA
70.9 dBA
72.5 dBA

Regulatory Characteristics
SafetyComplies with the essential requirements of the European LVD Directive of the following standards (datesand editions are cited in the Declaration of Conformity):•IEC/EN 61010-1•

Canada: CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1•USA: UL std no. 61010-1

Acoustic Statement (European Machinery Directive)
Acoustic noise emission LpA < 70 dB
Operator position
Normal operation mode per ISO 7779
1.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Samples of this product have been type tested in accordance with the Keysight Environmental Test Manual and verified to berobust against the environmental stresses of storage, transportation and end -use. Those stresses include but are not limited totemperature, humidity, shock, vibration, altitude and power line conditions.
Test Methods are aligned with IEC 60068 -2 and levels are similar to MIL -PRF-28800F Class 3.
From 40 °C to 50 °C, the maximum % Relative Humidity follows the line of constant dew point .
At operator position.
At sea-level and 25 °C ambient temperature.
Maximum fan speed.

Find us at www.keysight.com

Page 11

Regulatory Characteristics
EMCComplies with European EMC Directive of the following standards (dates and editions are cited in theDeclaration of Conformity):•
IEC/EN 61326-1•

CISPR pub 11 group 1, class A•

AS/NZS CISPR 11•

ICES/NMB-001

This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES-001.
Cet appareil ISM est conforme a la norme NMB-001 du Canada.

Definitions for Specifications
Specification (spec)
Warranted performance. Specifications include guardbands to account for the expected statistical
performance distribution, measurement uncertainties, and changes in performance due to environmentalconditions. All specifications and characteristics apply over the operating environment outlined in the“Environmental and Regulatory” section of this data sheet. In addition, the following conditions must bemet:•Instrument is within its calibration cycle if calibration is required.
•Instrument has been stored for a minimum of 1 hour within the operating temperature range prior toturn-on and after a 30-minute warm-up period.

Characteristics
Characteristics describe product performance that is useful in the application of the product, but that is notcovered by the product warranty. Characteristics are often referred to as Typical or Nominal values.
Typical (typ)Expected performance of an average unit when operated over a 20 to 30 °C temperature range. Typicalperformance is not warranted. The instrument must be within its calibration cycle if calibration is required.
Nominal (nom)Nominal describes representative performance that is useful in the application of the product whenoperated over a 20 to 30 °C temperature range. Nominal performance is not warranted.
Additional Information
All data are measured from multiple units at room temperature and are representative of productperformance within the operating temperature range unless otherwise noted.
The data contained in this document is subject to change.

Find us at www.keysight.com

Page 12

Configuration
Configure the Keysight M9506A AXIe chassis as follows:
1. Select the appropriate power cord based on the country where the chassis will be used. If this is North
America, Japan, or Taiwan, there are two choices (100 – 120 V and 200 – 240 V). If more than 940 W
are required based on the AXIe modules used, then the chassis must be operated on 200 – 240 VAC
and the appropriate power cord should be selected.
2. Select control approach:• If an embedded controller is required, select an AXIe embedded controller(Keysight M9537A is recommended)• If an external computer is being used, select an appropriate PC interface card
(Keysight M9048B/M9049A are recommended)• If SCPI over LAN for digitizers is required, select option -BC13. Select an appropriate cable to connect the computer interface board to the chassis interface (theY1202A is recommended to connect the M9048B and M9022A)
4. Order an Y1221A AXIe Filler Module for each chassis slot which will be empty once the AXIe modules
are installed. AXIe Filler Modules are not included with the chassis.
5. If the chassis is going to be rack-mounted, order the Y1227A rack mount kit (Figure 7)
6. Select other accessories as required

Figure 9. Y1227A Rack Mount Kit

Multi-chassis Configuration
The M9506A can be used in multi-chassis configurations with other AXIe chassis and PXIe Chassis(such M9019A). The number of chassis that can be interconnected depends on the controller andoperating system used. See Tested PC and PXI/AXIe Chassis Configurations (5990-7632EN) TechnicalOverview for more details.

Find us at www.keysight.com

Page 13Ordering Information
SoftwareSupported Software Components
Operating systems
Standard compliant drivers
Application development
environments (ADE)
Keysight IO libraries

Microsoft Windows 7 (32/64-bit), Microsoft Windows 8 (32/64-bit)
Microsoft Windows 10 (32/64-bit)
IVI.NET, IVI-C, LabVIEW, MATLAB
Visual Studio (VB.NET, C#, C/C++), LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, VEE
Version 2018 update 1 (or greater)

HardwareModel
M9506A
M9506A-BC1
M9506A-GP1

1.

Description
AXIe chassis: 5-slot, Gen 3, Embedded System Module
AXIe Filler Modules are not included
Integrated Backside Controller for Digitizer Modules 1Enable GPS
Accessories

Y1221AY1227A

AXIe Filler Module
M9506A rack mount kit
Related products

M9537A
M9048B and M9049A
Y1202A

Embedded AXIe controller
PCIe host adapter: Gen 3, x8 or x16
PCIe cable: x8, 2.0 m

Option -BC1 only supports M9703B, M9710A, M9709A digitizers .

AXIe is a registered trademark of the AXIe Consortium.
PCI-SIG ® , PCI Express ® , and PCIe ® are registered trademarks of PCI -SIG.
Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S.
and/or other countries.

Learn more at: www.keysight.com
For more information on Keysight Technologies’ products, applications or services,
please contact your local Keysight office. The complete list is available at:www.keysight.com/find/contactus

Find us at www.keysight.com
This information is subject to change without notice. © Keysight Technologies, 2019 - 2020, Published in USA, November 2, 2020, 5992-3786EN

Page 14