Pickering 4-781A Series User Manual
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Pickering 4-781A Series User Manual

Pxi/pxie terminated spdt microwave relays
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4x-781A User Manual
PXI/PXIe Terminated SPDT Microwave Relays
pickeringtest.com
Issue 3.0, September 2023

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Summary of Contents for Pickering 4-781A Series

  • Page 1 4x-781A User Manual PXI/PXIe Terminated SPDT Microwave Relays pickeringtest.com Issue 3.0, September 2023...
  • Page 2 © Copyright (2023) Pickering Interfaces. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, translated or stored in any form, or by any means without the written permission of Pickering Interfaces. Technical details contained within this publication are subject to change without notice.
  • Page 3 Pickering Interfaces strives to fulfil all relevant environmental laws and regulations and reduce wastes and releases to the environment. Pickering Interfaces aims to design and operate products in a way that protects the environment and the health and safety of its employees, customers and the public. Pickering Interfaces endeavours to develop and manufacture products that can be produced, distributed, used and recycled, or disposed of, in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

  • Page 4: Product Safety

    Product Safety Safety Symbols The following safety symbols may be used on the product and throughout the product documentation. Meaning/Description Symbol PROTECTIVE EARTH (GROUND) To identify any terminal which is intended for connection to an external conductor for protection against electric shock in case of a fault, or the terminal of a protective earth (ground) electrode.

  • Page 5: Table Of Contents

    Pre Operation Checks ..............................3.1 Hardware Installation ..............................3.2 Software Installation ..............................3.2 Testing Operation ................................3.3 Section 4 Programming Guide .................................4.1 Programming Options for Pickering PXI/PXIe Modules ..................4.1 Module Architecture ..............................4.2 Programming the Module ............................4.4 Using Pickering Drivers in LabVIEW ........................4.6 Section 5 Connector Information ..............................5.1 Section 6 Trouble Shooting ................................6.1...

  • Page 6: Warnings And Cautions

    Unused slots in the PXI/PXIe/LXI chassis are populated with blanking plates to prevent access to user I/O signals that may be present. Blanking panels are available to order from Pickering in a variety of slot widths. If the product is not used in this manner for example by using an extender card then additional care must be taken to avoid contact with exposed signals.

  • Page 7: Technical Specification

    Single SPDT Format of these configurations. The 4x-781A gives you the highest RF switching performance available within a Pickering switching system. Although designed for microwave applications, they have many uses in the RF spectrum where extremely low insertion loss and ultra high isolation are critical.
  • Page 8 EOL. This information could allow system connections to be revised so that signals 40/42-781A pickering applied to heavily used contacts are swapped with lightly used Remote contacts to prolong the working life of the relay(s).
  • Page 9 Specifications 4x-781A Section 1 - Technical Specification Specifications - 18GHz Versions Characteristic Impedance: 50 Ω Connector Type: Insertion Loss: <0.2 dB to 3 GHz <0.3 dB to 8 GHz <0.4 dB to 12.4 GHz <0.5 dB to 18 GHz Isolation: >80 dB to 3 GHz >70 dB to 8 GHz Typical Insertion Loss - 18 GHz Versions...
  • Page 10 Specifications 4x-781A Section 1 - Technical Specification Specifications - 26.5GHz Versions Characteristic Impedance: 50 Ω Connector Type: Insertion Loss: <0.2 dB to 3 GHz <0.3 dB to 8 GHz <0.4 dB to 12.4 GHz <0.5 dB to 18 GHz <0.7 dB to 26.5 GHz Isolation: >80 dB to 3 GHz >70 dB to 8 GHz...
  • Page 11 Specifications 4x-781A Section 1 - Technical Specification Specifications - 40GHz Versions Characteristic Impedance: 50 Ω Connector Type: SMA 2.9 Insertion Loss: <0.3 dB to 6 GHz <0.4 dB to 12.4 GHz <0.5 dB to 18 GHz <0.7 dB to 26.5 GHz <0.8 dB to 40 GHz Typical Insertion Loss - 40 GHz Internally Terminated Versions Isolation:...
  • Page 12 Specifications 4x-781A Section 1 - Technical Specification Specifications - 50GHz Versions Characteristic Impedance: 50 Ω Connector Type: SMA 2.4 Insertion Loss: <0.3 dB to 6 GHz <0.4 dB to 12.4 GHz <0.5 dB to 18 GHz <0.7 dB to 26.5 GHz <0.8 dB to 40 GHz <1.1 dB to 50 GHz Isolation:...
  • Page 13 Specifications 4x-781A Section 1 - Technical Specification General Specification Mechanical Characteristics Configuration: SPDT Microwave Switch with Front Panel Mounted Switches automatic termination on the NO • 40-781A single SPDT and NC paths, 1 or 2 independent - Single slot 3U PXI (CompactPCI card) banks mounted on the module’s •...
  • Page 14 Ordering Information 4x-781A Section 1 - Technical Specification Product Order Codes 4[A]-781A-[B]2[C][D][E] Interface Actuator Type 0 = PXI [Blank] = Failsafe 2 = PXIe -LA = Latching Type/Frequency Options 0 = SPDT Internal Termination 18 GHz (SMA) [Blank] = Panel Mount 1 = SPDT External Termination 18 GHz (SMA) -E = Remote Mount 2 = SPDT Internal Termination 26.5 GHz (SMA)
  • Page 15 Side View of the PXI Dual Externally Terminated Microwave Switch Product Customization Pickering modules are designed and manufactured on our own flexible manufacturing lines, giving complete product control and enabling simple customization to meet very specific requirements. Customization can include: •...
  • Page 16 PXI/PXIe Terminated SPDT Microwave Relays 4x-781A Section 1 - Technical Specification The 4x-781A is part of a range of switching modules suitable for RF and microwave applications. Pickering’s Range of PXI & PXIe Microwave Switching Modules Switch Type Banks Frequency Range Model No.

  • Page 17: Technical Description

    Section 2 - Technical Description Functional Description A functional block diagram is provided in Figure 2.1. The module is powered by +5V (PXI), +3.3V and +12V supplies via PCI Bus connectors mounted on the mother board. The interface to the user test equipment is via the front panel mounted SMA, SMA-2.9 or SMA-2.4 connectors.

  • Page 18: Installation

    Modular products require installation in a suitable PXI/PXIe/LXI chassis. The module is designed for indoor use only. Pre-operation Checks (Unpacking) 1. Check the module for transport damage and report any damage immediately to Pickering Interfaces. Do not attempt to install the product if any damage is evident.

  • Page 19: Hardware Installation

    If you are not a LabVIEW user you should choose the “full” version, and once that has been installed run the LabVIEW Runtime Engine installer via the shortcut on the Programs>>Pickering menu. In the absence of LabVIEW the Runtime Engine is required to support the Pickering Test Panels application.

  • Page 20: Testing Operation

    Figure 3.2 - General Soft Front Panel Icon A selector panel will appear, listing all installed Pickering PCI, PXI/PXIe or LXI switch cards and resistor cards. Click on the card you wish to control, and a graphical control panel is presented allowing operation of the card. Panels can be opened simultaneously for all the installed cards.
  • Page 21 Section 4 - Programming Programming options for Pickering Interfaces PXI/PXIe Modules For information on the installation and use of drivers and the programming of Pickering’s products in various software environments, please refer to the Software User Manual. This is available as a download from: pickeringtest.com/support/software-drivers-and-downloads...

  • Page 22: Module Architecture

    Section 4 - Programming Module Architecture The 40/42-781A module is a single or dual microwave changeover relay with either internal or external termination. In the default state the signal paths are NC to Com and NO terminated as shown in the diagrams below. Externally terminated versions have ports marked “T”...
  • Page 23 Section 4 - Programming Table 4.1 - Sub-unit / Bit allocations for the 4x-781A SPDT Terminated RF Switch Programming Bit / Signal Path Table Single Relay, Internal Termination, Panel Mount: Dual Relay, Internal Termination, Panel Mount: 40/42-781A-021/221/421 (Failsafe) & 40/42-781A-022/222/422 (Failsafe) & 40/42-781A-021/221/421-LA (Latching) 40/42-781A-022/222/422-LA (Latching) Single Relay, Internal Termination, Remote Mount:...

  • Page 24: Programming The Module

    Section 4 - Programming Programming the Module Here are some simple examples of using the drivers with the 40/42-781A dual changeover relay module. Using PILPXI To operate a relay the user could use the simple OpBit command or the WriteSub commands OpBit DWORD sub_unit = 1;...
  • Page 25 Section 4 - Programming Using pi40iv The IVI driver treats each switch as a unit and labels the channels using com/no or com/nc labelling tags. pi40iv_Connect(vi, “com1”, “no1”); // Operates Relay 1 (Connects Com to NO) pi40iv_Disconnect(vi, “com1”, “no1”); // Releases Relay 1 (Disconnects Com from NO) // This is required by IVI, “com1”...

  • Page 26: Using Pickering Drivers In Labview

    Section 4 - Programming Using Pickering Drivers In LabVIEW Most Pickering drivers include a LabVIEW wrapper to permit full operation of the Pickering product from the LabVIEW environment. These wrappers are normally installed to the current LabVIEW folder system during installation of the Pickering driver.
  • Page 27 Section 5 - Connectors pickering SPDT Relay 1 Single Microwave Relay - Internal Termination Relay 1 Applicable Part Numbers Connector Module Part No. Frequency Type 40/42-781A-021 (Failsafe) 18GHz 40/42-781A-021-LA (Latching) 18GHz 40/42-781A-221 (Failsafe) 26.5GHz 40/42-781A-221-LA (Latching) 26.5GHz 40/42-781A-421 (Failsafe) 40GHz SMA-2.9...
  • Page 28 Section 5 - Connectors SPDT Relay 1 pickering SPDT Relay 2 Relay 2 Relay 1 Dual Microwave Relay - Internal Termination Applicable Part Numbers Connector Module Part No. Frequency Type 40/42-781A-022 (Failsafe) 18GHz 40/42-781A-022-LA (Latching) 18GHz 40/42-781A-222 (Failsafe) 26.5GHz 40/42-781A-222-LA (Latching) 26.5GHz...
  • Page 29 Section 5 - Connectors SPDT Relay 1 pickering External Termination Single Microwave Relay - External Termination Relay 1 Applicable Part Numbers Connector Module Part No. Frequency External Type Termination 40/42-781A-121 (Failsafe) 18GHz 40/42-781A-121-LA (Latching) 18GHz 40/42-781A-321 (Failsafe) 26.5GHz 40/42-781A-321-LA (Latching) 26.5GHz...
  • Page 30 Section 5 - Connectors SPDT Relay 1 pickering SPDT Relay 2 External External Termination Termination Relay 2 Relay 1 Dual Microwave Relay - External Termination Applicable Part Numbers Connector Module Part No. Frequency External External Type Termination Termination 40/42-781A-122 (Failsafe)
  • Page 31 Section 5 - Connectors pickering pickering pickering Applicable Part Numbers - Internal Termination Connector Module Part No. Frequency Type 40/42-781A-021-E (Failsafe) 18GHz 40/42-781A-021-E-LA (Latching) 18GHz 40/42-781A-221-E (Failsafe) 26.5GHz 40/42-781A-221-E-LA (Latching) 26.5GHz 40/42-781A-421-E (Failsafe) 40GHz SMA-2.9 40/42-781A-421-E-LA (Latching) 40GHz SMA-2.9 Applicable Part Numbers - External Termination Connector Module Part No.
  • Page 32 Section 5 - Connectors pickering pickering pickering Applicable Part Numbers - Internal Termination Connector Module Part No. Frequency Type 40/42-781A-022-E (Failsafe) 18GHz 40/42-781A-022-E-LA (Latching) 18GHz 40/42-781A-222-E (Failsafe) 26.5GHz 40/42-781A-222-E-LA (Latching) 26.5GHz 40/42-781A-422-E (Failsafe) 40GHz SMA-2.9 40/42-781A-422-E-LA (Latching) 40GHz SMA-2.9 Applicable Part Numbers - External Termination Connector Module Part No.

  • Page 33: Trouble Shooting

    PCI configuration, highlighting any potential configuration problems. Specific details of all installed Pickering switch cards are included. All the installed Pickering switch cards should be listed in the “Pilpxi information” section - if one or more cards is missing it may be possible to determine the reason by referring to the PCI configuration dump contained in the report, but interpretation of this information is far from straightforward, and the support@pickeringtest.com...

  • Page 34: Maintenance Information

    For PXI modules which are supported in one of Pickering Interfaces’ Modular LXI Chassis (such as the 60-102B and 60-103B) no module software update is required. If the module was introduced after the LXI chassis was manufactured the module may not be recognized, in this case the chassis firmware may need upgrading.

  • Page 35: Appendix A Part Number List

    Appendix A Part Number List The tables below show the complete list of part numbers for all the possible operating frequency, bank number and relay type combinations for the 4x-781A terminated microwave relay range of modules. Product Order Codes - Panel Mounted Microwave SPDT Relays - Failsafe Versions 18 GHz, 50 Ω...

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