The five new RFIU families, which will make their debut during European Microwave Week (EuMW) in the Netherlands from September 23–25, offer the fundamental blocks needed to handle a wide range of challenging RF testing applications.
A significant addition to Pickering Interfaces’ range of standard COTS LXI microwave switching solutions has been announced.
The five new RFIU families, which will make their debut during European Microwave Week (EuMW) in the Netherlands from September 23–25, offer the fundamental blocks needed to handle a wide range of challenging RF testing applications.
Previously available as customer-specified flexible (60-890) and turnkey (60-891) custom products, the product introductions cover:
- New catalog offerings of two different variants of LXI microwave switch units—the company’s standard LXI range, consisting of multiple relays of a single type fitted to the unit’s front panel; and specific configurations of internally constructed, fully integrated multiplexer and matrix solutions.
- Making them standard COTS catalog parts simplifies the selection and ordering process for customers, as well as reducing lead times.
By adding external cabling, engineers can create complicated switching solutions with panel-mounted SPDT, SP8T/SP10T/SP12T, and transfer switch options. RF cabling is shielded from harm or disruption by self-contained integrated multiplexer and matrix systems, which also guarantee consistent performance throughout production batches.
The end user is relieved of the burden of implementation and performance repeatability when fully tested (units supplied with test results) pre-wired solutions are provided.
Every model has an integrated scan list and triggering (hardware or software) capability that allows pre-established test sequences to be executed with minimal operating time. To cut down on system overhead, the sequences are saved on the product itself rather than the system computer.
SP4T and SP6T functionality is covered by current standard devices (models 60-800/801/802/803) in both terminated and unterminated failsafe relay variants across a range of bandwidths.
With unterminated and terminated (not transfer switch) versions of both failsafe and latching relay configurations, three new families expand the selection: SP8T/SP10T/SP12T (model 60-804), SPDT (model 60-806), and transfer switch (model 60-808).
Two additional families of internally developed, fully integrated high-channel-count multiplexer solutions are also available: matrix (up to 12×12: model 60-807) and SP16T to SP48T with single to quad banks.
Switching at 110GHz is exclusively available as terminated SPDT, while configurations from 6GHz to 67GHz (depending on the range) are offered as unterminated or terminated (apart from transfer).
All of the new families come with latching relay or failsafe operating modes. Since the RF performance of each mode is the same, the mode that best suits the application can be chosen. The range of relay operation counts allows for the tracking of each relay’s unique contact levels, which can be utilized for predictive maintenance.
The five new switching families, which have bandwidths in the 6-110GHz range, support a variety of applications across several industries, including automotive, medical devices, radar, semiconductors, and communications (including testing of handsets and antennas).
Designing and simulating microwave units is possible with Pickering’s free online Microwave Switch Design Tool (MSDT). MSDT can be used to assess the performance of standard integrated goods prior to acquiring a physical unit, even though it is primarily intended for flexible or turnkey solutions.
When a mix of relays is needed, Pickering’s model 60-890 flexible microwave switch platform can also be used to specify all transfer, SPDT, and high-channel-count relays. In PXI/PXIe and LXI, there are also several current ranges of standard devices with alternative configurations.
In contrast to many competitors, drivers are provided for Windows, Linux, and real-time operating systems. All products rated up to 67GHz are covered by a 3-year warranty; 110GHz alternatives are covered by a 1-year warranty. Additionally, Pickering Interfaces guarantees ongoing product support.
Leadership Comments
“The new additions to our LXI microwave switching portfolio migrate RFIU functionality previously available in our flexible and turnkey custom ranges to our standard COTS family,” said Steven Edwards, Head of Product Management at Pickering Interfaces, “but with the additional benefit of significantly increased configuration options. The expanded range now maximises flexibility, density, and functionality to support the widest set of the latest cross-industry testing requirements.”
“LXI-based automated test systems are commonly used for verification and functional test of microwave devices and subsystems, often including signal routing and switching. The ever-increasing complexity of these DUTs usually goes hand in hand with higher I/O counts,” added Edwards. “Our new LXI range features higher channel densities, maximizing payload while minimizing chassis height and helping result in fewer switch units being used for large switching applications, reducing test system size, improving signal quality and simplifying programming. These units enable test system design engineers to quickly and easily source standard COTS solutions for high-channel-count switching subsystems in microwave test systems.”
To Know More About The Expanded To Its Range of Standard COTS LXI Microwave Switching Solutions, CLICK HERE
