Pickering 4 890 Series User manual

pickeringtest.com Issue D, November 2023
PXI/PXIe Flexible Microwave Module
PRELIMINARYPRELIMINARY
4x-890 User Manual

Page (ii)
© 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.
FM38792

Page (iii)
Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information
Pickering Interfaces Headquarters
Stephenson Road, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 4NL United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
USA
Tel: (West) [phone]
Tel: (East) [phone]
e-mail: [e-mail]
France
Tel [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
Germany
Tel: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
Sweden
Tel: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
Czech Republic
Tel: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
China
Tel: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
Technical Support
For Technical Support please contact Pickering Interfaces either by phone, the website or via e-mail.
Warranty
All products manufactured by Pickering Interfaces are warranted against defective materials and workmanship for a period
of three years, excluding programmable power supplies, from the date of delivery to the original purchaser. Any product
found to be defective within this period will, at the discretion of Pickering Interfaces be repaired or replaced.
Products serviced and repaired outside of the warranty period are warranted for ninety days.
Extended warranty and service are available. Please contact Pickering Interfaces by phone, the website or via e-mail.
Environmental Policy
Pickering Interfaces operates under an environmental management system similar to ISO 14001.
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 (iv)
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.
DANGEROUS VOLTAGE
To indicate hazards arising from dangerous voltages.
WARNING/CAUTION
An appropriate safety instruction should be followed or caution to a
potential hazard exists.
Refer to the relevant instructions detailed within the product
manual.
HEAVY
If this product is heavy reference should be made to the safety
instructions for provisions of lifting and moving.
STATIC SENSITIVE
To indicate that static sensitive devices are present and handling
precautions should be followed.
!
kg
Safety Symbols
The following safety symbols may be used on the product and throughout the product documentation.
Product Safety

Page (v)
Contents
Copyright Statement........................................................................................................................................................(ii)
Technical Support and Warranty...................................................................................................................................(iii)
Product Safety...................................................................................................................................................................(iv)
Contents (this page).........................................................................................................................................................(v)
Warnings and Cautions...................................................................................................................................................(vi)
Section 1
Technical Specification....................................................................................................................................................1.1
Drive Current...............................................................................................................................................................1.15
Usable Panel Area......................................................................................................................................................1.15
Section 2
Technical Description ......................................................................................................................................................2.1
Functional Description...............................................................................................................................................2.1
Section 3
Installation.........................................................................................................................................................................3.1
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 Switches ......................................................................................................................................4.3
Using Pickering Drivers in LabVIEW.......................................................................................................................4.6
Section 5
Switch Dimensions............................................................................................................................................................5.1
Section 6
Trouble Shooting..............................................................................................................................................................6.1
Section 7
Maintenance Information................................................................................................................................................7.1

Page (vi)
WARNING - Hazardous Environments Symbol
This product is not specifically designed for use in hazardous environments, for example in explosive
atmospheres. If the product is to be used in hazardous environments we recommend that the user ensures
suitable protective measures are taken.
!
CAUTION - Handling of Electrostatic-Sensitive Devices Symbol
Certain semiconductor devices used in this equipment are liable to damage due to static voltage. Observe the
following precautions when handling these devices in their unterminated state, or sub-assemblies containing
these devices:
• Persons removing sub-assemblies from equipment using these devices must be earthed by a wrist strap
and a resistor at the point provided on the equipment.
• Soldering irons used during the repair operations must be low voltage types with earthed tips and isolated
from the mains voltage by a double insulated transformer.
• Outer clothing worn must be unable to generate static charges.
• Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) fitted with these devices must be stored and transported in anti-static bags.
Warnings & Cautions
WARNING - Danger of Electric Shock Symbol
This module may contain hazardous voltages. Before removing the module from the rack remove all supplies
and disconnect user I/O signals.
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.
CAUTION - Product Documentation Symbol
Suitably qualified & trained users should ensure that the accompanying documentation is fully read and
understood before attempting to install or operate the product.
!
Safety Instructions
Safety Instructions
All cleaning and servicing requires the equipment to be isolated and disconnected from the power source and user I/O signals
(refer to the Maintenance Section).
• Appropriate manual handling procedures should be followed as dictated by the weight of the individual module or the
combined weight of the modules & chassis.
• Should a fault occur with the module or chassis, immediately isolate and disconnect the incoming power to the chassis and
the user I/O signals.
• Ensure the equipment is installed, operated and maintained by trained and authorised personnel.
• For suitably equipped products in the event of an emergency press the red “emergency stop” button situated on the front of
the unit.
WARNING
Only the correct connector series should be mated with these modules. The modules in the 4x-890 range using SMA
connectors should only be mated with the correct SMA type, failure to do so may result in damage to the connector.
Also, it is important that the connector’s nut is properly tightened to the correct torque. For SMA connectors, this
should be with a 5/16 inch wrench and be 3-5 in·lbs (0.3 to 0.6 N·m) for brass, or 7-10 in·lbs (0.8–1.1 N·m) for
stainless steel. For N-type connectors, this should be with an 18mm wrench and be 15 in·lbs (1.7 N·m).

Page 1.1 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
yAvailable as a PXI or PXIe Module
yMay be Specified With a Mix of High Performance
Microwave Relays up to 110 GHz Bandwidth & a
Range of Connector Types
yOptions Available in 50 Ω or 75 Ω Impedance
yAvailable Relays Include Transfer, SPDT, SP4T, SP6T,
SP8T, SP10T & SP12T in Unterminated & Terminated
Versions
yFlexibility in Topology & Specification
yDefine the Panel layout with Microwave Switch
Design Tool Application
yLED Indication (Configuration Dependant)
yExcellent RF & Repeatability Characteristics
yRelay Cycle Counting Included
yDrivers Supplied for Windows & Linux, Plus
Support for Real-time Systems
yPXI Versions Supported by PXI or LXI Chassis
yPXIe Versions Supported by PXI Hybrid or PXIe Chassis
y3 Year Warranty (110 GHz Options, 1 Year Warranty)
The 40-890 (PXI) and 42-890 (PXIe) range of PXI microwave
modules allows users to specify the mix of relay types,
frequencies and quantities based on the application
requirements within the capabilities of the module driver
card. Choose from the extensive relay selection already
available in the Pickering microwave range to create a
flexible solution.
Switch Type Termination
Bandwidth & Connector Type
2.5 GHz
DIN 1.6/5.6
(75 Ω)
3 GHz
SMA
(50 Ω)
6 GHz
SMA
(50 Ω)
8 GHz
N-Type
(50 Ω)
12.4 GHz
N-Type
(50 Ω)
18 GHz
SMA
(50 Ω)
22 GHz
SMA
(50 Ω)
26.5 GHz
SMA
(50 Ω)
40 GHz
SMA 2.9
(50 Ω)
50 GHz
SMA 2.4
(50 Ω)
67 GHz
SMA 1.85
(50 Ω)
110 GHz
SMA 1.0
(50 Ω)
Transfer (DPDT)
Unterminated
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
SPDT ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
SP4T ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
SP6T ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
SP8T ✔ ✔ ✔
SP10T ✔ ✔ ✔
SP12T ✔ ✔
SPDT
Terminated
✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
SP4T ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
SP6T ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔
SP8T ✔ ✔
SP10T ✔ ✔
SP12T ✔
An example configuration could include a combination of two
SP6T plus one SPDT relay that can be externally cabled to create
a SP12T multiplexer for frequency ranges where a dedicated
12:1 multiplexer is not available.
Flexible solutions can also reduce the chassis slot count by
permitting different relay types to be fitted in a single module.
Each flexible build will be assigned a specific part number in the
4x-890 series to provide traceability and to ease the reordering
process.
Microwave Switch Design Tool (MSDT)
The MSDT is an on-line application accessed via the Pickering
interfaces website that can be used to generate front panel
solutions for flexible products. Users can select from the
full range of microwave relays then add LED indicators and
graphical features such as components identifiers / logos to
create a panel layout suited to the application.
Representative Images
of Microwave Modules
pickeringtest.com
4x-890
PXI/PXIe Flexible Microwave Module
PRELIMINARY DATA
Issue E November 2023

Page 1.2 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
LED Energised Path Indicators
Space permitting, each microwave relay fitted to a 4x-890
module has associated frontpanel LED indicators to show the
current energised path through the relay, as illustrated in the
figure above. This signal path indication greatly simplifies the
debug of test application software.
Manual Control
The 4x-890 is supplied with soft front panels for each of the
fitted relays, as shown here. These enable graphical manual
control of the switches to simplify application software
development and debug.
Easy Repair
To facilitate fast in-field repair, wherever possible we fit relay
types that may be quickly replaced by simply withdrawing
them through the front panel.
Configuration Restrictions
Whilst offering a high degree of flexibility in relay population
there are some restrictions applicable to the flexible
configurations.
Mechanical - the maximum number of chassis slots occupied by
a single module is six. The relay physical sizes varies between
switch types, for details refer to the user manual. Alternately, to
assist with visualising the panel layout Pickering’s Microwave
Switch Design Tool (MSDT) online application can be used to
define the relay quantities, types and positions.
Electrical - the driver card has twenty-four control lines,
grouped both in banks of six or individually with each relay
coil typically requiring a single control line. Each SPDT or
transfer switches is controlled by an individual drive line.
For multiplexers, a single six channel bank is required for
SP4T and SP6T multiplexers with higher channel count
multiplexers controlled via multiple banks.
Due to the flexible nature of the product range it is
recommended that your local sales office is contacted to
review your requirements as this will allow for the most
efficient relay loading to be determined.
Relay Cycle Counting
To aid with module “health” monitoring all versions are
provided with a relay cycle counting cycle feature. The
number of operations per contact are stored on the module
and can be used to determine if a relay is approaching EOL.
This information could allow system connections to be
revised so that signals applied to heavily used contacts are
swapped with lightly used contacts to prolong the working
life of the relay(s).
4x-890
pickeringtest.com Page 2
PRELIMINARY DATA
PXI/PXIe Flexible Microwave Module

Page 1.3 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
3
C
6
1
2
off
Terminated SP6T Switch
3
4
C
5
6
1
2
off
Terminated SP4T Switch
3
4
5
6
1
2
C
SP6T Switch
off
3
C
4
1
2
off
SP4T Switch
NC
C
NO
Internally Terminated
SPDT Switch
NO
NC
C
SPDT Switch
2
4
1
3
Transfer Switch
B B
A
A
Position A: 1 to 2, 3 to 4
Position B: 1 to 3, 2 to 4
Terminated SP12T Switch
3
4
5
6
1
2
7
8
9
10
11
12
C
off
Terminated SP10T Switch
3
4
5
6
1
2
7
8
9
10
C
off
Terminated SP8T Switch
5
6
7
8
3
4
1
9
10
2
C
SP10T Switch
off
6
7
8
9
4
5
1
10
12
3
2
11
C
SP12T Switch
off
C
4
5
6
7
2
3
1
8
SP8T Switch
off
3
4
5
6
1
2
7
8
off
C
NC
C
NO
Externally Terminated
SPDT Switch
Available Switch Types
4x-890
pickeringtest.com Page 3
PRELIMINARY DATA
PXI/PXIe Flexible Microwave Module

Page 1.4 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
Specifications - Transfer Switches
Bandwidth 2.5 GHz 3 GHz 18 GHz 26.5 GHz 40 GHz 50 GHz
Characteristic
Impedance 75 Ω 50 Ω 50 Ω 50 Ω 50 Ω 50 Ω
Connector Type 1.6/5.6 SMA SMA SMA SMA-2.9 SMA-2.4
Operate Time 15 ms 15 ms 15 ms 15 ms 15 ms 15 ms
Insertion Loss
0.2 dB - 1 GHz
0.3 dB - 2.5 GHz
0.2 dB - 3 GHz 0.2 dB - 3 GHz
0.3 dB - 8 GHz
0.4 dB - 12.4 GHz
0.5 dB - 18 GHz
0.2 dB - 3 GHz
0.3 dB - 8 GHz
0.4 dB - 12.4 GHz
0.5 dB - 18 GHz
0.7 dB - 26.5 GHz
0.3 dB - 6 GHz
0.4 dB - 12.4 GHz
0.5 dB - 18G Hz
0.7 dB - 26.5 GHz
0.8 dB - 40 GHz
0.3 dB - 6 GHz
0.4 dB - 12.4 GHz
0.5 dB - 18 GHz
0.7 dB - 26.5 GHz
0.8 dB - 40 GHz
1.1 dB - 50 GHz
Isolation
80 dB - 1 GHz
70 dB - 2.5 GHz
80 dB - 3 GHz 80 dB - 3 GHz
70 dB - 8 GHz
65 dB - 12.4 GHz
60 dB - 18 GHz
80 dB - 3 GHz
70 dB - 8 GHz
65 dB - 12.4 GHz
60 dB - 18 GHz
50 dB - 26.5 GHz
70 dB - 6 GHz
60 dB - 12.4 GHz
60 dB - 18 GHz
55 dB - 26.5 GHz
50 dB - 40 GHz
70 dB - 6 GHz
60 dB - 12.4 GHz
60 dB - 18 GHz
55 dB - 26.5 GHz
50 dB - 40 GHz
50 dB - 50 GHz
VSWR
1.2:1 - 1 GHz
1.3:1 - 2.5 GHz
1.2:1 - 3 GHz 1.2:1 - 3 GHz
1.3:1 - 8 GHz
1.4:1 - 12.4 GHz
1.5:1 - 18 GHz
1.2:1 - 3 GHz
1.3:1 - 8 GHz
1.4:1 - 12.4 GHz
1.5:1 - 18 GHz
1.7:1 - 26.5 GHz
1.3:1 - 6 GHz
1.4:1 - 12.4 GHz
1.5:1 - 18 GHz
1.7:1 - 26.5 GHz
1.9:1 - 40 GHz
1.3:1 - 6 GHz
1.4:1 - 12.4 GHz
1.5:1 - 18 GHz
1.7:1 - 26.5 GHz
1.9:1 - 40 GHz
2.0:1 - 50 GHz
RF Average
Carry Power
at 25 °C
400 W - 1 GHz
240 W - 2.5 GHz
240 W - 3 GHz 240 W - 3 GHz
150 W - 8 GHz
120 W - 12.4 GHz
100 W - 18 GHz
240 W - 3 GHz
150 W - 8 GHz
120 W - 12.4 GHz
100 W - 18 GHz
40 W - 26.5 GHz
80 W - 6 GHz
60 W - 12.4 GHz
50 W - 18 GHz
20 W - 26.5 GHz
10 W - 40 GHz
40 W - 6 GHz
30 W - 12.4 GHz
25 W - 18 GHz
15 W - 26.5 GHz
5 W - 40 GHz
3 W - 50 GHz
Expected Life
(operations) 2.5 million 2.5 million 2.5 million 2.5 million 2.5 million 2.5 million
3
C
6
1
2
off
Terminated SP6T Switch
3
4
C
5
6
1
2
off
Terminated SP4T Switch
3
4
5
6
1
2
C
SP6T Switch
off
3
C
4
1
2
off
SP4T Switch
NC
C
NO
Internally Terminated
SPDT Switch
NO
NC
C
SPDT Switch
2
4
1
3
Transfer Switch
B B
A
A
Position A: 1 to 2, 3 to 4
Position B: 1 to 3, 2 to 4
Terminated SP12T Switch
3
4
5
6
1
2
7
8
9
10
11
12
C
off
Terminated SP10T Switch
3
4
5
6
1
2
7
8
9
10
C
off
Terminated SP8T Switch
5
6
7
8
3
4
1
9
10
2
C
SP10T Switch
off
6
7
8
9
4
5
1
10
12
3
2
11
C
SP12T Switch
off
C
4
5
6
7
2
3
1
8
SP8T Switch
off
3
4
5
6
1
2
7
8
off
C
NC
C
NO
Externally Terminated
SPDT Switch
4x-890
pickeringtest.com Page 4
PRELIMINARY DATA
Specifications