Agilent/Keysight M3100A

The Keysight M3100A is a PXIe digitizer module delivering high-channel-density data acquisition for automated test systems. This 3U modular instrument captures signals simultaneously across 4 or 8 channels at 100 MSa/s with 14-bit resolution and 100 MHz front-end bandwidth, storing up to 2 GB of data on-board. The M3100A integrates a Xilinx Kintex-7 FPGA (325T or 410T) for real-time signal processing, user-defined logic, and hardware-accelerated decision-making via Hard Virtual Instrumentation (HVI) technology.

– Technical Specifications

• Channels: 4 or 8
• ADC Resolution: 14 bits
• Sample Rate: 100 MSa/s (simultaneous)
• Front-End Bandwidth: 100 MHz
• Onboard Memory: Up to 2 GB (~1 GSa)
• FPGA: Xilinx Kintex-7 (325T or 410T)
• Platform: PXIe (3U, single slot)
• Data Transfer: PCIe Gen 1 with independent DMA channels; up to 1.6 GB/s with peer-to-peer (PCIe Gen 2)

– Key Features

• Simultaneous multi-channel acquisition eliminates skew across channels
• Flexible triggering: hardware, HVI, and software-initiated
• Advanced DAQ with programmable cycles and burst modes to prevent host saturation
• Optional hard real-time sequencing via HVI for ultra-fast, time-deterministic execution
• Optional FPGA design using graphical environments (M3602A) or PathWave FPGA Design Environment (KF9000A); supports VHDL, Verilog, and Xilinx IP Catalog
• Inter-module synchronization and peer-to-peer data exchange across PXIe chassis
• Native programming support: C, C++, Visual Studio, LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python
• Software stacks: SD1 2.x (M3601A HVI, M3602A FPGA) or SD1 3.x (KS2201A PathWave Test Sync Executive, KF9000A PathWave FPGA)

– Typical Applications

• Aerospace and defense test
• Electronic test and validation
• Medical imaging systems
• Communications signal acquisition
• Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) and automotive test
• General-purpose high-speed digitization

– Compatibility & Integration

The M3100A operates within PXIe chassis and synchronizes with other modules for multi-instrument test benches. Full FPGA reprogrammability and one-click compilation enable custom signal processing on-board, reducing PC load and latency in time-critical applications.