Agilent USB Coaxial Switches for RF & Microwave Test and Measurement Applications - Application Note 5991-15 free download

File name USB Coaxial Switches for RF & Microwave Test and Measurement Applications - Application Note 5991-15

Keysight Technologies USB Coaxial Switches for RF & Microwave Test and Measurement Applications Application Note Abstract Coaxial switches are commonly used in applications where RF signal routing is required between one or more locations, via some form of switch driving hardware (to power the switch) and software/firmware (to navigate the various switch paths). Depending on the complexity of the switching matrix, a considerable amount of setup and configuration will be required. With the advent of USB, widely recognized for its capability to power up and having a standard set of embedded drivers in most operating systems (OS), creating a fully standalone USB switch provides an economically viable alternative for everyday switching needs. This solution which is literally a pure plug-and- play device, will save precious development time and hardware setup costs especially for R&D and design validation groups. This application note describes features and application examples of a USB coaxial switch, and various options for measuring multiple devices under test (DUT) or performing multiple tasks with a single connection. Introduction In RF and microwave test systems, coaxial switches are used extensively for sig- nal routing between instruments and DUTS. Switching matrices allows multiple tests to be performed with the same setup, eliminating the need for frequent connects and disconnects. Naturally, this configuration can also be easily auto- mated and thus increases throughput and efficiency. Conventional coaxial switches consist of solenoid coils where DC voltages are needed to bias the coils to latch the RF contact blades to required positions, typically via an external hardware driver. In the ATE environment, most switch system integrators will provide a complete driving solution for ease of control and convenience. A switch driver typically consists of an integrated power supply with a set of driving interface to support a variety of switching options, as well as software programmability to facilitate quick design validation and automated testing. The U1810B USB SPDT DC to 18 GHz coaxial switch, presents a novel approach for general switching needs with its standard USB plug-and-play functions that provide fast and easy setup. Users can conveniently power up the switch via one of the multiple USB ports on the instrument or PC, without the need for an external power supply. Precious time can be saved in integrating complex switch setups (the driving method and pin configuration) as compared to a conventional coaxial switch. Inheriting Keysight Technologies, Inc. unique switch technology, the U1810B is designed to operate for more than 10 million cycles. The exceptional 0.03 dB insertion loss repeatability is warranted for 5 million cycles. This excellent RF characteristic significantly reduces downtime for recalibration, improves testing efficiency, and ultimately maximizes test throughput.