Keytek ECAT System

Here is some information on our Keytek ECAT EMC system.

The system had some defects and half-assed repairs when we got it, so I took the opportunity to take some teardown photos of the various parts of the system. I have also extracted various roms, gals and eeproms. And tried to figure out various information such as pinouts, communication protocol and replacement parts.

Old as it is, this gear is still being sold new in 2022. Currently serviced, manufactured & sold by M Precision Laboratories, USA. And they have been quite helpful in resolving a couple of issues.

We're somewhat interested in finding some more modules for this system; such as E503 Ringwave, E510A Combination wave 10kV, E513 Voltage ramps, E521 and E522 Combination wave 20kV, E422 Burst/EFT 8kV with coupler. And perhaps other modules if the deal is really really good...


Our system up & running.


Close-up view of the DIN41612 extender card + extension cable for ECAT module debugging.


View of ECAT system with module control card connected via DIN41612 extension.


Keytek ECAT brochure 2004.pdf

KeyTek ECAT Options.pdf


Some information we discovered on the remote control communication protocol that is used by the FiberCom port (2400bps RS232 over 650nm/red POF) of the ECAT controller.

Module configuration EEPROM contents.

Some very incomplete info on ECAT module pinouts.

What are this Fiberloop connections on the frontpanel all about?

from Communications Technology April 1993 Product news, page 126

"A Windows-based FiberLoop measurement system has been announced by KeyTek Instrument Corp. It is designed for making non-invasive analog and digital measurements within an EUT before, during and after pulsed-EMI susceptibility tests. Typical susceptibility tests include ESD (electro-static discharge), EFT (electrical fast transients) and surge. The non-invasive EUT measurements are made by a series of battery-operated, microprocessor-controlled FiberSense modules, interconnected within the FiberLoop to a control center via fiber-optic link. According to the company, this exclusive use of fiber-optic loop communication frees the test results from any possibility of error due to spurious ground loops or "antennas."
The modules for measuring DC and peak voltages, AC voltages and digital patterns within the EUT are all available to help evaluate EUT performance during each EMI test. Measured EUT parameters can then be correlated with observed EUT upset and/or failure. In addition, changes from nominal signal values or patterns, during or after each test, can give valuable diagnostic information for troubleshooting EUT susceptibility problems.
The system runs with turnkey software in a Windows environment on any compatible PC. The software includes user-oriented graphics incorporating a model of the specific components used in the particular test setup. Also included are list boxes for each set of parameters being monitored, along with their user-entered limits and user-selected event results for each parameter. Default values are available for all common parameters to minimize the need for user intervention. The system is available by itself or in conjunction with the company's ECAT (expert computer-aided test) system.
"

So its intended for some kind of measurement dongles that assist in montoring DUT performance during tests.

ECAT-VI board

Keytek ECAT Instrumentation PCB

Replica of the Keytek instrumentation board that is used to do the voltage & current measurements via the ECAT measurement subsystem. This only works if the module in question has the '-VI' option installed, which consists of this board primarily.
Reproduction of Keytek ECAT option-VI board


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