Pickering 4 880B Series User manual

pickeringtest.com Issue 2.0, November 2023
PXI/PXIe 50Ω SPDT Terminated 8GHz RF Switches
4x-880B 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: [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
Relay Cycle Counting Feature Details.....................................................................................................................4.1
Module Architecture...................................................................................................................................................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
yWide Frequency Range 10 MHz to 8 GHz
yHigh Performance Solid State Switch
yDual, Quad, Hex and Octal Versions
yAutomatic Termination of Unused Channels
y+36 dBm Input Power Handling
yExcellent Crosstalk & Isolation
ySMA Coaxial Connectors
yRelay Cycle Counting Included
yDrivers Supplied for Windows and Linux, Plus
Support for Real-time Systems
yPXI Versions Supported in PXI or LXI Chassis
y3 Year Warranty
The 40-880B (PXI) and 42-880B (PXIe) are 50 Ω SPDT RF
switches with automatic termination of unused channels and
operation to beyond 8 GHz. They are available in dual format
in a 1 slot PXI or PXIe module, quad format in a two slot
module or hex and octal formats in a three slot module.
The 4x-880B has low insertion loss and VSWR through the use
of high performance solid state switches. These ensure a long
service life with no wear out mechanism, making the module
ideal for ATE systems requiring frequent and fast operation.
The switches can handle RF power up to +36 dBm CW and
+38 dBm pulsed and is able to sustain frequent hot switching
without performance degradation.
The module is fitted with SMA connectors, ensuring
compatibility with commonly used cables.
The 4x-880B is supplied with drivers that allow support in
all popular software environments. The PXI version can 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.
1.1
1.2
2.1
2.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C1
C2
Switch 2
Switch 1
Dual SPDT Terminated RF Switch
(Part No. 4x-880B-001)
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).
pickeringtest.com
4x-880B
PXI/PXIe 50 Ω SPDT Terminated 8 GHz RF Switch
Issue 1.2 November 2023

Page 1.2 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
1.1
1.2
2.1
2.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C1
C2
Switch 2
Switch 1
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C3
C4
Switch 4
Switch 3
5.1
5.2
6.1
6.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C5
C6
Switch 6
Switch 5
Hex SPDT Terminated RF Switch
(Part No. 4x-880B-003)
1.1
1.2
2.1
2.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C1
C2
Switch 2
Switch 1
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C3
C4
Switch 4
Switch 3
5.1
5.2
6.1
6.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C5
C6
Switch 6
Switch 5
7.1
7.2
8.1
8.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C7
C8
Switch 8
Switch 7
Octal SPDT Terminated RF Switch
(Part No. 4x-880B-004)
Quad SPDT Terminated RF Switch
(Part No. 4x-880B-002)
1.1
1.2
2.1
2.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C1
C2
Switch 2
Switch 1
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C3
C4
Switch 4
Switch 3
4x-880B
pickeringtest.com Page 2
PXI/PXIe 50 Ω SPDT Terminated 8 GHz RF Switch

Page 1.3 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
PXI & CompactPCI Compliance - 40-880B
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 - 42-880B
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.
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
Specification
RF Frequency Range: 10 MHz to 8 GHz
(useable to 8.5 GHz)
Insertion Loss: Typically <2 dB @ 10 MHz
Typically <2.5 dB to 3 GHz
Typically <3 dB to 5 GHz
Typically <4 dB to 8 GHz
VSWR COM to Channel: Typically <1.4:1 to 6 GHz
Typically <1.8:1 to 8 GHz
VSWR Channel to COM: Typically <1.5:1 to 5 GHz
Typically <1.8:1 to 8 GHz
VSWR Internal
termination: Typically <1.4:1 to 8 GHz
Isolation: Typically >75 dB to 3 GHz
Typically >65 dB to 6 GHz
Typically >60 dB to 8 GHz
Crosstalk bank to bank: Typically <-80 dB to 3 GHz
Typically <-70 dB to 8 GHz
Maximum RF Power: +36 dBm CW
+38 dBm Pulsed
+20 dBm hot switching
+26 dBm into terminations
Maximum DC Voltage: 7 V (AC coupled)
Life Expectancy: Indefinite when used within
ratings
Operate Time: 50 µs
RF Switching Time: 10 µs typical rise and fall time
RF Connectors: SMA
Mechanical Characteristics
• 40-880B-001 - 1 slot 3U PXI (CompactPCI card)
• 40-880B-002 - 2 slot 3U PXI (CompactPCI card)
• 40-880B-003 - 3 slot 3U PXI (CompactPCI card)
• 40-880B-004 - 3 slot 3U PXI (CompactPCI card)
• 42-880B-001 - 1 slot 3U PXIe, compatible with PXIe hybrid slot
• 42-880B-002 - 2 slot 3U PXIe, compatible with PXIe hybrid slot
• 42-880B-003 - 3 slot 3U PXIe, compatible with PXIe hybrid slot
• 42-880B-004 - 3 slot 3U PXIe, compatible with PXIe hybrid slot
3D models for all versions in a variety of popular file formats are
available on request.
Connectors
40-880B - PXI bus via 32-bit P1/J1 backplane connector.
42-880B - PXIe bus via XJ3 and XJ4 backplane connectors.
Signals via front panel SMA connectors.
Power Requirements - 40-880B
+3.3 V +5 V +12 V -12 V
0.03 A 0.01 A 0 0
Power Requirements - 42-880B
+3.3 V +12 V
0.03 A 0.01 A
4x-880B
pickeringtest.com Page 3
Specifications

Page 1.4 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
Insertion loss for 4x-880B-001
showing all paths up to 8.5 GHz
VSWR Channel to COM for 4x-880B-001
showing all paths up to 8.5 GHz
Max isolation for each channel with distant path
selected for 4x-880B-001 up to 8.5 GHz
VSWR for internally terminated channels for
4x-880B-001 showing all paths up to 8.5 GHz
Crosstalk between banks for
4x-880B-001 showing all paths up to 8.5 GHz
4x-880B
pickeringtest.com Page 4
Specifications

Page 1.5 pickeringtest.com
Section 1 - Technical Specification
Connection Accessories
For a complete list of connection accessories and
documentation for the 4x-880B module, please refer to our
RF connectors datasheet (90-011D).
Product Order Codes
PXI Dual SPDT Terminated 8 GHz RF Switch
PXI Quad SPDT Terminated 8 GHz RF Switch
PXI Hex SPDT Terminated 8 GHz RF Switch
PXI Octal SPDT Terminated 8 GHz RF Switch
40-880B-001
40-880B-002
40-880B-003
40-880B-004
PXIe Dual SPDT Terminated 8 GHz RF Switch
PXIe Quad SPDT Terminated 8 GHz RF Switch
PXIe Hex SPDT Terminated 8 GHz RF Switch
PXIe Octal SPDT Terminated 8 GHz RF Switch
42-880B-001
42-880B-002
42-880B-003
42-880B-004
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.
42-880B-001 PXIe Dual SPDT
Terminated 8 GHz RF Switch
4x-880B
pickeringtest.com Page 5
Ordering Information

Page 2.1 pickeringtest.com
Section 2 - Technical Description
Functional Description
A functional block diagram is provided in Figure 2.1. The module is powered by +5V and +3.3V (PXI) or +3.3V and +12V
(PXIe) supplies via PCI Bus connectors mounted on the mother board. The interface to the user test equipment is via
the front panel mounted SMA connectors. The module comprises a mother board and daughter boards populated with
solid-state relays arranged as SPDT terminated RF switches - the quantity dependent on the model number. The relays
are energised via control signals from a relay driver devices. The relay drivers receive control data from PCI bridge U1
mounted on the mother board via a PCB/PCB interconnection. Module configuration and setup information for the PCI
bridge is stored in Serial EPROM devices.
Figure 2.1 - RF SPDT Switch Module 4x-880B: Functional Block Diagram
SMA Connectors
RF Relays
Relay
Drivers
Daughter Board Memory
U9-10
PCI Bridge U1
Mother Board
Configuration
Memories
U7-8
PXI/PXIe RF SPDT Switch Module 4x-880B
PCB Interconnection
SMA Connectors
RF Relays
Relay
Drivers
Daughter Board
Level
Shifters
U2-3
(40-880B)
GND
+5V
+3.3V
GND
+12V
+3.3V
Compact PCI Bus
Connector J1 (40-880B)
PXIe Connectors
XJ3 & XJ4 (42-880B)

Page 3.1 pickeringtest.com
Section 3 - Installation
kg
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.
2. Position the chassis relative to any other equipment the module(s) will connect with. Ensure the chassis is not
connected to the electrical supply.
3. Ensure that the designated area for the chassis containing the module is of flat and solid construction to withstand
and support the combined weight of the module(s) and chassis.
!
Refer to the Warnings and Cautions at the front of this manual
Modular products require installation in a suitable PXI/PXIe/LXI chassis. The module is designed for indoor use only.
Figure 3.1 - Installing the Module into a PXI/PXIe/cPCI/LXI Chassis
PXI/PXIe/LXI Chassis
PXI/PXIe Module
Injector/Ejector Handle
Injector/Ejector Rail

Page 3.2 pickeringtest.com
Section 3 - Installation
Software Installation
First install the appropriate Pickering PXI switch card drivers by running the installer program Setup.exe (provided in a compressed zip
file), either from the CD-ROM supplied, or by downloading the latest version from our website: pickeringtest.com - the recommended
method. Setup is accompanied by a ReadMe file containing additional installation information. A single installation covers all Pickering
switching and simulation PCI, PXI and PXIe products.
When installation completes, the installed drivers’ ReadMe file is offered for display. It can also be displayed later using a shortcut on
the Programs>>Pickering menu.
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.
!
Hardware Installation Electrical Connection (Chassis)
The chassis must be electrically installed in accordance with local regional electrical codes by a qualified engineer.
The chassis must be grounded.
Electrostatic discharge can damage the components on the module. To avoid such damage in handling the board refer to page vi.
Ensure that there is adequate ventilation.
The module should be installed in accordance with the following procedure:
1. Ensure that the system is turned OFF but still connected to mains so that it remains grounded.
2. Choose an appropriate slot in the rack.
3. Remove the blanking plate for the chosen slot.
4. Ensure that the injector/ejector handle is in its downward position. Align the module with the card guides on the top and bottom of
the slot.
Do not raise the injector/ejector handle whilst inserting the module as the module will not insert properly.
5. Hold the handle whilst slowly sliding the module into the card guides until the handle catches on the injector/ejector rail (refer to
Figure 3.1).
6. Raise the injector/ejector handle until the module firmly seats into the backplane. The front panel of the module should be flush with
the front panel of the chassis.
7. Secure the front panel of the module using both screws to the chassis front panel mounting rails.
8. In a system employing a remote control interface to connect an external controller to a PXI chassis or to link multiple chassis,
power-up the system as follows:
a. For a system comprising an external controller and one chassis, power up the chassis before powering up the external controller.
b. For a system comprising more than one chassis, turn ON the last chassis in the system followed by the penultimate, etc, and
finally turn ON the external controller or chassis containing the system controller.
9. For Pickering Interfaces modular LXI installation there is no requirement to use any particular power up sequence.

Page 3.3 pickeringtest.com
Section 3 - Installation
Figure 3.3 - General Soft Front Panel Selector
Testing Operation
After installation of the hardware and Pickering PXI Driver software package start the General Soft Front Panel (GSFP) using the
desktop icon or via the Start menu (Start Menu-> Pickering Interfaces Ltd -> General Soft Front Panel).
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.
More details how to use the GSFP can be found in the manual, via menu Help\Manual.
Figure 3.2 - General Soft Front Panel Icon

Page 4.1 pickeringtest.com
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
Also, it can be accessed from the DVD supplied with the product:
<DVD_DRIVE>\downloads\Documentation\Software-Manual.pdf
Relay Cycle Counting Feature Details
For information related to the relay cycle counting feature present on this product, please refer to the Relay Cycle Counting
User Guide.
This is available as a download from:
pickeringtest.com/portal/web/256/content/private/manuals/Relay-Cycle-Counting-User-Guide.pdf
Also, it can be accessed from the DVD supplied with the product:
<DVD_DRIVE>\downloads\Documentation\Relay-Cycle-Counting-User-Guide.pdf

Page 4.2 pickeringtest.com
Section 4 - Programming
Module Architecture
Figure 4.1 - Switching Diagrams for 4x-880B SPDT Terminated RF Switch
(default switch state shown)
The 4x-880B is a terminated RF changeover switch available with two, four, six or eight banks. A signal path is made by
activating a connection between the common terminal and channel 1 or channel 2 of the switch. The default (un-powered)
state of all banks is with both channels terminated into 50Ω and the common open circuit. The architecture of the switches
is shown in the diagrams below:
4x-880B-004 Octal
SPDT RF Switch
1.1
1.2
2.1
2.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C1
C2
Switch 2
Switch 1
1.1
1.2
2.1
2.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C1
C2
Switch 2
Switch 1
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C3
C4
Switch 4
Switch 3
1.1
1.2
2.1
2.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C1
C2
Switch 2
Switch 1
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C3
C4
Switch 4
Switch 3
5.1
5.2
6.1
6.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C5
C6
Switch 6
Switch 5
1.1
1.2
2.1
2.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C1
C2
Switch 2
Switch 1
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C3
C4
Switch 4
Switch 3
5.1
5.2
6.1
6.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C5
C6
Switch 6
Switch 5
7.1
7.2
8.1
8.2
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
50Ω
C7
C8
Switch 8
Switch 7
4x-880B-003 Hex
SPDT RF Switch
4x-880B-002 Quad
SPDT RF Switch
4x-880B-001 Dual
SPDT RF Switch

Page 4.3 pickeringtest.com
Section 4 - Programming
Programming Bit / Signal Path Table
Applicable
Modules
Switch
Bank Sub-Unit Sub-Unit Type Bit Signal Path IVI Channel Names
4x-880B-001
4x-880B-002
4x-880B-003
4x-880B-004
1 1 MUX(2x1)
1 C1 to 1.1 & 1.2 Terminated comA chA1
2 C1 to 1.2 & 1.1 Terminated comA chA2
4x-880B-001
4x-880B-002
4x-880B-003
4x-880B-004
2 2 MUX(2x1)
1 C2 to 2.1 & 2.2 Terminated comB chB1
2 C2 to 2.2 & 2.1 Terminated comB chB2
4x-880B-002
4x-880B-003
4x-880B-004
3 3 MUX(2x1)
1 C3 to 3.1 & 3.2 Terminated comC chC1
2 C3 to 3.2 & 3.1 Terminated comC chC2
4x-880B-002
4x-880B-003
4x-880B-004
4 4 MUX(2x1)
1 C4 to 4.1 & 4.2 Terminated comD chD1
2 C4 to 4.2 & 4.1 Terminated comD chD2
4x-880B-003
4x-880B-004 5 5 MUX(2x1)
1 C5 to 5.1 & 5.2 Terminated comE chE1
2 C5 to 5.2 & 5.1 Terminated comE chE2
4x-880B-003
4x-880B-004 6 6 MUX(2x1)
1 C6 to 6.1 & 6.2 Terminated comF chF1
2 C6 to 6.2 & 6.1 Terminated comF chF2
4x-880B-004 7 7 MUX(2x1)
1 C7 to 7.1 & 7.2 Terminated comG chG1
2 C7 to 7.2 & 7.1 Terminated comG chG2
4x-880B-004 8 8 MUX(2x1)
1 C8 to 8.1 & 8.2 Terminated comH chH1
2 C8 to 8.2 & 8.1 Terminated comH chH2
Table 4.1 - Sub-unit / Bit allocations for the 4x-880B SPDT Terminated Switch Module
Depending upon the model variant, the multiplexer is treated as two, four, six or eight programming sub-unit as shown in
the table below. The following page gives some simple examples using the provided drivers: the Direct I/O driver, the VISA
driver and the IVI driver.

Page 4.4 pickeringtest.com
Section 4 - Programming
Programming the Module
Using The IVI Driver, Direct Driver or VISA Driver
This section provides some code fragments which show how to control the RF Switch using the IVI Driver, Direct I/O
Driver or the VISA Driver.
Once the drivers are installed the manual “Sys40Prg.pdf” and driver help files which fully describes these functions can
be found in the Pickering folder(s) or the Pickering entries on your Start Menu.
The card must be opened before use and closed after using the following function calls:
Direct I/O Driver - Open with PIL_OpenCards or PIL_OpenSpeciedCard and close with PIL_CloseCards or
PIL_CloseSpeciedCards respectively.
VISA Driver - Open with pipx40_init, and close with, pipx40_close.
Setting a Switch Channel using the Direct I/O Driver or VISA Driver:
Using the Pickering Direct I/O driver:
DWORD SubUnit = 1; //address rst switch bank
PIL_ClearSub(CardNo, SubUnit); //clear switch to default
//(both channels terminated)
PIL_OpBit(CardNo, SubUnit, 2, 1); //disconnect channel 1.2 from termination
//and connect C1 to 1.2
PIL_OpBit(CardNo, SubUnit, 2, 0); //disconnect C1 from channel 1.2 and
//reconnect terminations
Using the VISA driver:
ViUInt32 SubUnit = 1; //address rst switch bank
pipx40_clearSub(vi, SubUnit); //clear switch to default
//(both channels terminated)
pipx40_setChannelState (vi, SubUnit, 2, 1); //disconnect channel 1.2 from
//termination and connect C1 to 1.2
pipx40_setChannelState (vi, SubUnit, 2, 0); //disconnect C1 from channel 1.2 and
//reconnect terminations
Using pi40iv
The IVI driver has no special labelling for this card and treats the array of switches as a simple array, labelling the
channels using the normal com./ch labelling tags (the following example is for bank 1 of the switch, banks are labelled in
sequence 1 is A, 2 is B, 3 is C, etc. the common is referred to as com, channel 1 is ch1, and channel 2 is ch2).
pi40iv_Connect(vi, comA, chA1); //Enables the C1 to channel 1.1 signal path
pi40iv_Disconnect(vi, comA, chA1); //Releases the C1 to channel 1.1 signal path and
//sets the switch to the terminated position
pi40iv_Connect(vi, comA, chA2); //Enables the C1 to channel 1.2 signal path
pi40iv_Disconnect(vi, comA, chA2); //Releases the C1 to channel 1.2 signal path and
//sets the switch to the terminated position

Page 4.5 pickeringtest.com
Section 4 - Programming
Using Pickering Drivers In LabVIEW
Example Use of 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.
The process of controlling a Pickering product normally consists of the following steps:
1. Open a control session on the product.
2. Use functions in the library to operate the product.
3. Close the control session.
Following is a simple example of the use of the most common Pickering drivers:
To download LabVIEW examples, please go to:
Using Pickering Drivers in LabVIEW