Pickering 4 784B Series User manual

pickeringtest.com Issue 4.0, October 2023
PXI/PXIe Microwave Multiplexer Modules
4x-784B 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]
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Sweden
Tel: [phone]
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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
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 Module.........................................................................................................................................4.3
Using Pickering Drivers in LabVIEW.......................................................................................................................4.6
Section 5
Connector Information ....................................................................................................................................................5.1
Section 6
Trouble Shooting..............................................................................................................................................................6.1
Section 7
Maintenance Information................................................................................................................................................7.1
Appendix A
Part Number List..............................................................................................................................................................A.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.

Page 1.1 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
The 40-784B (PXI) and 42-784B (PXIe) microwave multiplexer
modules have a characteristic impedance of 50 Ω and are
capable of switching signals up to 40 GHz. Available in single,
dual or triple, SP6T or SP4T formats, they are suitable for
constructing complex microwave switching. Connection is
by high performance SMA or SMA 2.9 connectors. Remote
versions are also available which can support up to three
multiplexers in a single slot.
The remote versions, as well as occupying less PXI panel
space, allow the microwave relays to be placed closer
to the UUT and RF test equipment. This can shorten the
yAvailable as PXI or PXIe Modules
ySingle or Dual SP4T or SP6T Panel Mounted
Multiplexer
yUp To 3 Remote SP4T or SP6T Multiplexers From
Single Slot Version
y50 Ω Versions With 3-67 GHz Bandwidth
y50 Ω Terminated and Unterminated Versions
y75 Ω Version With 2.5 GHz Bandwidth
yRelay Cycle Counting Included
yLED Indication
yVISA, IVI & Kernel Drivers Supplied for Windows
yPXI Version Supported by PXI or LXI Chassis
y3 Year Warranty
Microwave Multiplexer (Part No. 4x-784B)
in Single SP4T & SP6T Formats
3
4C
5
6
1
2
off
3C
4
1
2
off
Single SP6TSingle SP4T
Single slot version
controls 1, 2 or 3
remotely mounted
microwave
multiplexers via
interface cables
length of cables and improve system performance. Remote
multiplexers are supplied with a 1.5m interface cable.
The 4x-784B provides a high performance solution for
RF and microwave switching, the performance at low
frequencies providing superior isolation, insertion loss and
VSWR to EMR or solid state designs.
Product Compatibility
The 4x-784B range has been introduced as an update to
the existing 40-784A family. The existing family remains
orderable but the new 4x-784B is recommended as it
provides additional options such as the PXIe control
interface. The RF performance of the 4x-784B is identical to
the existing 40-784A.
pickeringtest.com
4x-784B
PXI/PXIe Microwave Multiplexer Modules
Issue 4.0 October 2023

Page 1.2 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
3C
4
1
2
off
3C
4
1
2
off
MUX Bank 1
MUX Bank 2
3
4C
MUX Bank 1
5
6
1
2
off
3
4C
5
6
1
2
off
MUX Bank 2
3C
4
1
2
off
3C
4
1
2
off
MUX Bank 1
MUX Bank 2
3C
4
1
2
off
MUX Bank 3
3
4C
MUX Bank 1
5
6
1
2
off
3
4C
5
6
1
2
off
MUX Bank 2
3
4C
5
6
1
2
off
MUX Bank 3
Dual SP6TDual SP4T Triple SP6TTriple SP4T
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-784B Multiplexer in Dual & Triple SP4T & SP6T Formats
Remotely Mounted Microwave Multiplexer Versions
pickering
MUX BANK 1
Remotely Mounted Microwave Multiplexers
3 off Interface Cables 1.5m Length
4x-784B
Single Slot
Version
MUX BANK 2MUX BANK 3
6 45
123
6 4
5
123
6 4
5
123
Interconnection Between 4x-784B Single Slot Version
and Remotely Mounted Microwave Multiplexers
Remote Mount Microwave Multiplexers
- With and Without Optional Mounting Bracket
4x-784B
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PXI/PXIe Microwave Multiplexer Modules

Page 1.3 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
RF Specification - 6 GHz Versions
Characteristic Impedance: 50 Ω
Connectors: SMA
Bandwidth DC to 6 GHz
Maximum RF Carry Power: 220 W (0-3 GHz)
150 W (3-6 GHz)
Isolation: >80 dB (0-3 GHz)
>70 dB (3-6 GHz)
Insertion Loss: <0.2 dB (0-3 GHz)
<0.3 dB (3-6 GHz)
VSWR: <1:1.2 (0-3 GHz)
<1:1.3 (3-6 GHz)
Expected Life (low power): >10 million operations
per position guaranteed
(typically >25 million)
Insertion Loss Repeatability: Within 0.01 dB
Typical VSWR - 6 GHz Versions
Typical Isolation (dB) - 6 GHz Versions
Typical Insertion Loss (dB) - 6 GHz Versions
4x-784B
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Specifications

Page 1.4 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
RF Specification - 18 GHz Versions
Characteristic Impedance: 50 Ω
Connectors: SMA
Bandwidth DC to 18 GHz
Maximum RF Carry Power: 220 W (0-3 GHz)
150 W (3-8 GHz)
120 W (8-12.4 GHz)
100 W (12.4-18 GHz)
Isolation: >80 dB (0-3 GHz)
>70 dB (3-8 GHz)
>60 dB (8-12.4 GHz)
>60 dB (12.4-18 GHz)
Insertion Loss: <0.2 dB (0-3 GHz)
<0.3 dB (3-8 GHz)
<0.4 dB (8-12.4 GHz)
<0.5 dB (12.4-18 GHz)
VSWR: <1:1.2 (0-3 GHz)
<1:1.3 (3-8 GHz)
<1:1.4 (8-12.4 GHz)
<1:1.5 (12.4-18 GHz)
Expected Life (low power): >10 million operations
per position guaranteed
(typically >25 million)
Insertion Loss Repeatability: Within 0.025 dB
Propagation Delay Variation
(between channels): <1 ps
Typical VSWR - 18 GHz Versions
Typical Isolation (dB) - 18 GHz Versions
Typical Insertion Loss (dB) - 18 GHz Versions
4x-784B
pickeringtest.com Page 4
Specifications