Microwave switch design tool simplifies LXI microwave switching design
A free online tool developed by Pickering Interfaces simplifies configuration of custom LXI microwave switching systems.
The Microwave Switch design tool configures flexible LXI microwave switching products. The dedicated tool will simplify the configuration of custom LXI RF and microwave switching systems. According to Pickering Interfaces it helps bring powerful, flexible microwave design functionality to customers building systems for signal routing applications across 5G, wireless and telecommunications, semiconductor, medical, and aerospace and defence.
Using the interactive online tool, engineers can specify and configure a mix of high-performance microwave LXI relays, up to 110GHz bandwidth, with 50 or 75 Ohm impedance, and a range of connector types including the location of individual microwave switching elements through to the associated labelling requirements. Their LXI microwave switch platform design can generate a complete system quotation and unique part number that can be ordered directly from Pickering Interfaces, where it will be built and delivered as a custom system.
Engineers can select from relays including transfer, SPDT, SP4T, SP6T, SP8T, SP10T and SP12T, in terminated and unterminated versions, with an industry-standard LXI Ethernet control interface. Relays can be compact 1U to 4U form factors for space-saving microwave switching. The front panel relay positioning is flexible to help minimise external interconnecting cable lengths. The systems exhibit excellent RF and repeatability characteristics, claimed Pickering, with high-performance relays offering low VSWR, very high isolation, low loss, and high power handling. The relays are therefore suitable for switching coaxial systems that require high performance from the HF band to microwave frequencies.
The tool will enable users to configure custom RF and microwave switching and relay systems, said Simon Aylott, Microwave Division Manager at Pickering Interfaces. “Engineers can use the tool to design custom front panel graphics and labels to support their application,” he added.
The initial release will support configuration of the company’s LXI microwave switch products with future versions to also support PXI modules.
Pickering Interfaces designs and manufactures modular signal switching & simulation for use in electronic test and verification. It claims to offer the largest range of switching and simulation products in the industry for PXI, LXI, and PCI applications. It also provides cable and connector solutions, diagnostic test tools, along with application software and software drivers created by an in-house software team.
Pickering’s products are specified in test systems installed throughout the world. Pickering Interfaces operates globally with direct operations in the US, UK, Germany, Sweden, France, Czech Republic, and China, together with additional representation in countries throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The company currently serve all electronics industries, including automotive, aerospace and defence, energy, industrial, communications, medical and semiconductors.
