Pickering 4 878 Series User manual

pickeringtest.com Issue 1.5, June 2023
PXI/PXIe 50Ω 4-Channel RF MEMS Multiplexer
4x-878 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
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
Operating & Using MEMS Switching.......................................................................................................................4.2
Programming the Module.........................................................................................................................................4.4
Using Pickering Drivers in LabVIEW.......................................................................................................................4.5
Section 5
Connector Information .....................................................................................................................................................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.

Page 1.1 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
yAvailable as PXI or PXIe Modules
y4 GHz RF Multiplexer
yMaximum RF Power to 25 W
ySingle, Dual and Quad Versions
ySMB or MCX Connector Versions
yVery Low Insertion Loss
yLong Operational Life
yFast Operating Time
yDrivers Supplied for Windows and
Linux, Plus Support for Real-time
Systems
yPXI Versions Supported by
PXI or LXI Chassis
yBased on Menlo Micro Ideal Switch®
MEMS Devices
y3 Year Warranty
3
4
C1
1
2
Bank 1
3
4
C2
1
2
Bank 2
3
4
C3
1
2
Bank 3
3
4
C4
1
2
Bank 4
Quad 4 to 1 RF MUX (Part No. 4x-878-24x)
- Default Switch State Shown
The 40-878 (PXI) and 42-878 (PXIe) are 50 Ω 4 to 1 RF
Multiplexers available with 1, 2 or 4 banks in a single PXI or
PXIe slot.
The module is based on the latest micro-electromechanical
system (MEMS) switching technology from Menlo Micro and
has low insertion loss and VSWR. In addition, MEMS devices
have a long operational life of >3 billion operations and benefit
from an operating time of 50 µs allowing greater test system
throughput. The multiplexers have excellent and repeatable
RF characteristics beyond 4 GHz with each path having a
nominally equal insertion loss. The 4x-878 minimizes the
injection of noise and unwanted signals into the signal path by
careful attention to the mechanical and electrical design.
Versions with MCX or SMB connectors are available, allowing
users to simplify cabling issues by matching them to other
connectors in their test system.
The 4x-878 is supplied with drivers that allow support in all
popular software environments. It can also be supported in all
Pickering’s LXI Modular Switching chassis, allowing the use of
a PXI or LAN controlled switching solution with the same high
levels of performance.
pickeringtest.com
4x-878
PXI/PXIe 50 Ω 4-Channel RF MEMS Multiplexers
Issue 1.4 June 2023

Page 1.2 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
4x-878 RF Performance Plots
(Plots taken from typical sample showing all connecting paths for parameter)
Typical Insertion Loss Plot For Each Signal Path Typical VSWR Plot For Each Signal Path (Load on COM)
Typical Crosstalk Plot Between Signal Paths
(Unswitched, Load on COM)
Typical VSWR Plot For Each Signal Path (Load on Channel)
Typical Crosstalk Plot Between Signal Paths (Unloaded)
Typical Isolation Plots for Each Channel
4x-878
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Specifications

Page 1.3 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
RF Specification
RF Frequency Range: DC to 4 GHz, usable to 5 GHz
Insertion Loss: Typically <0.7 dB to 1 GHz
Typically <1.4 dB to 4 GHz
VSWR: Typically <1.25:1 to 1 GHz
Typically <1.5:1 to 4 GHz
Isolation: Typically >40 dB to 1 GHz
Typically >30 dB to 4 GHz
Crosstalk: Typically <-60 dB to 1 GHz
Typically <-40 dB to 4 GHz
Maximum RF Power (CW): 2 W to 1 MHz
10 W to 10 MHz
25 W to 4 GHz
Other Switching Specifications
Maximum DC Voltage: 35 V *
Maximum DC Current: 0.5 A
Operating Time: 50 µs typical
Life Expectancy: 3 x 109 operations
* MEMS devices are intended for cold-switch applications
only.
PXI & CompactPCI Compliance - 40-878
The module is compliant with the PXI Specification 2.2.
Local Bus, Trigger Bus & Star Trigger are not implemented.
Uses a 33 MHz 32-bit backplane interface.
PXIe Compliance - 42-878
The module is compliant with the PXIe Specification 1.0.
Local Bus, Trigger Bus & Star Trigger are not implemented.
Safety & CE Compliance
All modules are fully CE compliant and meet applicable
EU directives:
Low-voltage safety EN61010-1:2010,
EMC Immunity EN61326-1:2013,
Emissions EN55011:2009+A1:2010.
Mechanical Characteristics
40-878 - Single slot 3U PXI (CompactPCI card).
42-878 - Single slot 3U PXIe, compatible with PXIe hybrid slot.
3D models for all versions in a variety of popular file formats
are available on request.
Module weight: 206 g (40-878-242)
Connectors
40-878 - PXI bus via 32-bit P1/J1 backplane connector.
42-878 - PXIe bus via XJ3 and XJ4 backplane connectors.
Signals via front panel SMB or MCX connectors.
Power Requirements - 40-878
+3.3 V +5 V +12 V -12 V
200 mA 100 mA 0 0
Power Requirements - 42-878
+3.3 V +12 V
200 mA 50 mA Operating/Storage Conditions
Operating Temperature:
Humidity:
Altitude:
0 °C to +55 °C
Up to 90 % non-condensing
5000 m
Storage Temperature:
Humidity:
Altitude:
-20 °C to +75 °C
Up to 90 % non-condensing
15000 m
4x-878
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Specifications

Page 1.4 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
Connection Accessories
For a complete list of connection accessories and
documentation for the 4x-878 module, please refer to our
RF connectors datasheet (90-011D).
Product Order Codes
Single MEMS 50 Ω 4:1 RF MUX, SMB
Dual MEMS 50 Ω 4:1 RF MUX, SMB
Quad MEMS 50 Ω 4:1 RF MUX, SMB
4x-878-211
4x-878-221
4x-878-241
Single MEMS 50 Ω 4:1 RF MUX, MCX
Dual MEMS 50 Ω 4:1 RF MUX, MCX
Quad MEMS 50 Ω 4:1 RF MUX, MCX
4x-878-212
4x-878-222
4x-878-242
Where 4x specifies PXI or PXIe, for example:
40-878-211 Single MEMS 50Ω 4:1 RF Multiplexer, SMB
connectors in PXI format
42-878-211 Single MEMS 50Ω 4:1 RF Multiplexer, SMB
connectors in PXIe format
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.
All customized products are given a unique part number, fully
documented and may be ordered at any time in the future.
Please contact your local sales office to discuss.
42-878-241 PXIe Quad 50 Ω 4:1 RF Multiplexer
4x-878
pickeringtest.com Page 5
Ordering Information