Pickering Interfaces, a renowned provider of modular signal switching and simulation solutions for electronic test and verification, has unveiled an industry-first range of PXI/PXIe microwave relay modules capable of switching signals up to 110 GHz. These cutting-edge modules cater to the demanding RF and communications applications, including emerging technologies like automotive radar. The launch of this advanced product line at IMS marks a significant expansion of Pickering’s terminated SPDT microwave switches, delivering unparalleled RF switching performance within a Pickering switching system. As operating frequencies continue to rise, Pickering is committed to addressing the latest RF testing requirements by offering more RF and microwave switching solutions supporting 110 GHz.
The newly introduced modules, designated as 40-781A-92x (PXI) and 42-781A-92x (PXIe), feature either a single or dual microwave changeover switch payload, enabling seamless switching up to 110 GHz in a 50 Ω environment. These modules are equipped with high-quality SMA 1.0 connectors mounted on the front panel, facilitating convenient and reliable connections. One of the key advantages of externally terminated switches is the flexibility they offer. Users can replace the user-accessible terminations with higher-power RF loads, allowing for increased signal levels. Furthermore, this switch topology flexibility enables alternative configurations, such as terminated 4-port bypass (with one termination removed) and 5-port DP3T (with both terminations removed), thus altering the switching functionality as per specific requirements.
The 40/42-781A-92x range boasts latching relays, which minimize heating effects during operation compared to failsafe switches. Only a pulsed signal is required to energize these relays, as latching relay contacts retain their last set state when power is removed. The modules also incorporate LED indication, offering a clear visual confirmation of the switch status, which proves valuable in verifying system operation.
Steve Edwards, Switching Product Manager at Pickering, emphasized the applicability of the new 40/42-781A-92x modules in emerging microwave technologies, such as automotive radar, as well as radar, satellite, short-range land-based secure communication testing applications. Although primarily designed for microwave applications, these modules find utility across the RF spectrum, particularly in scenarios where extremely low insertion loss and ultra-high isolation are crucial. They can also be utilized at lower frequencies, supporting power handling up to 35 W (without termination).
These revolutionary modules include an onboard relay cycle counting feature that enables proactive “health” monitoring for test system predictive maintenance. The module stores the number of operations per contact, allowing users to determine if a relay is nearing its end-of-life (EOL). This information facilitates adjustments to system connections, prolonging the working life of the relay(s) by redistributing signals between heavily and lightly used contacts.
The 40/42-781A-92x range is supplied with drivers that provide support for all popular software programming environments. The modules are compatible with various operating systems, including all Microsoft-supported Windows versions, popular Linux distributions, and other real-time hardware-in-the-loop (HiL) tools.
Pickering Interfaces’ introduction of these groundbreaking PXI/PXIe microwave relay modules sets a new industry standard, enabling the seamless switching of 110 GHz signals and addressing the evolving needs of RF and microwave testing across various cutting-edge applications.
