RF and Microwave Solid State Switches for wireless communication etc| Ranatec

RF Coaxial Switch

Advantages of solid state RF switches/microwave switches

  • The Solid State RF and Microwave Switches offer the following advantages over mechanical switches:
  • Long operating life
  • Fast switching times
  • Low power consumption
  • Small size

Mechanical RF and Microwave Switches usually have lower insertion loss, higher isolation, and higher RF power handling capability. However, because of the advantages mentioned above, Solid State RF and Microwave Switches are to be preferred if very low insertion loss and/or very high isolation is not needed.

A RF coaxial switch/Microwave solid-state switch provides excellent performance with fast switching speed across a broad frequency range. A Ranatec RF coaxial switch/solid state switch provides safe and accurate tests of sensitive RF components. Applications include instrumentation, defense, communications, radar, antenna, and many other test systems that require high-speed RF switching. The long operating life of Ranatec’s RF coaxial switches/Microwave solid state switches makes them excellent in large-scale applications. If your company carries out high-volume RF testing, it is time and cost efficient to use a RF coaxial switch system to automate the testing process and streamline the product cycle.

SP4T Solid State Switch

Features

  • Switch mode: SP4T latching, terminated
  • DC – 6 GHz RF frequency range
  • Insertion loss < 1.9 dB up to 3 GHz
  • 63 dBm IP3
  • +30 dBm maximum input power
  • Flexible supply voltage: 5-45 VDC
  • <100 μs switching time
  • High repeatability
  • Ultra-long lifetime

Electrical Specifications

  • Switch mode: SP4T latching, terminated
  • Switching time: < 100 μs
  • Supply voltage: 5 – 45 VDC
  • Supply current: < 1 mA
  • Operating frequency: DC – 6 GHz
  • Impedance: 50 Ohm
  • Max DC at RF inputs: 0 VDC
  • VSWR (max): 1.4:1 @ 0.01 – 0.698 GHz
  • 1.3:1 @ 0.698 – 3 GHz
  • 1.4:1 @ 3 – 6 GHz
  • Insertion loss (max): 1.6 dB @ 0.01 – 0.698 GHz
  • 1.9 dB @ 0.698 – 3 GHz
  • 2.2 dB @ 3 – 6 GHz
  • Isolation RFC – RFx (min):
  • 55 dB @ 0.01 – 0.698 GHz
  • 40 dB @ 0.698 – 3 GHz
  • 35 dB @ 3 – 6 GHz
  • Isolation RFx – RFy (min):
  • 55 dB @ 0.01 – 0.698 GHz
  • 40 dB @ 0.698 – 3 GHz
  • 30 dB @ 3 – 6 GHz
  • Input power thru path (max):
  • 30 dBm @ 0.01 – 6 GHz
  • Input power hot switching & into termination (max):
  • 20 dBm @ 0.01 – 6 GHz
  • Input IP3 (typ): 63 dBm @ 0.01 – 6 GHz
  • Actuating current: < 50 μA (active low, input
  • (pulled up to 3 VDC)

Environmental Specifications

  • Operating temp: 0°C to +50°C
  • Storage temp: -20°C to +70°C
  • Relative humidity: 95% at +40°C

Mechanical Specifications

  • Dimensions: 50x50x30 mm
  • Weight: 25 g
  • Connectors: SMA(F)
Solid State Switches (RI 2441 SP4T Solid State Switch)

Ordering

RI 2441 SP4T Solid State Switch

Overview

The Ranatec RI 2441 is a high performance solid state switch module with 1 pole and 4 throws. It is very well suited for high volume testing where a long lifetime is required without sacrificing RF performance. RI 2441 offers very good linearity, power handling and speed.

Application

The RI 2441 Solid state switch module is designed for applications such as:

  • Production testing of mobile handsets
  • Production testing of mobile base stations
  • Built-In-Test (BITE) applications
  • MIMO applications

Control Interfaces

  • RI 2441 IDC10 Function
  • PIN 1 VCC*
  • PIN 2 Port 1**
  • PIN 3 Port 2**
  • PIN 4 Port 3**
  • PIN 5 Port 4**
  • PIN 6 NC
  • PIN 7 NC
  • PIN 8 NC
  • PIN 9 NC
  • PIN 10 GND* 5-45 VDC

** Active low

SP8T Solid State Switch

Features

  • Switch mode: SP8T I2C controlled, terminated
  • 8 I2C-bus addresses selectable via DIP switch
  • 0 – 400 kHz I2C clock
  • DC – 6 GHz RF frequency range
  • 63 dBm IP3
  • +30 dBm maximum input power
  • Insertion loss < 3.1 dB up to 3 GHz
  • 10 us max switching time after data transfer1)
  • Flexible supply voltage: 4-30 VDC
  • High repeatability and Ultra-long lifetime
    1) 50 us max switch settling time after data transfer

Electrical Specifications

  • Switch mode: SP8T I2C ctrl, terminated
  • Supply voltage: 4 – 30 VDC
  • Supply current max: < 8 mA
  • I2C-bus LOW-level: 0.99 V
  • I2C-bus HIGH-level: 2.31 V
  • I2C-bus MAX-level: 5.5 V
  • Operating frequency: DC – 6 GHz
  • Impedance: 50 Ohm
  • Max DC at RF inputs: 0 VDC
  • VSWR (max): 1.55:1 @ 0.01 – 0.7 GHz
    RFC→RFx 1.45:1 @ 0.7 – 3 GHz
    1.60:1 @ 3 – 6 GHz
  • VSWR (max): 1.50:1 @ 0.01 – 0.7 GHz
    RFx→RFC 1.35:1 @ 0.7 – 3 GHz
    1.40:1 @ 3 – 6 GHz
  • VSWR RFx (max): 1.45:1 @ 0.01 – 0.7 GHz
    (terminated) 1.35:1 @ 0.7 – 3 GHz
    1.50:1 @ 3 – 6 GHz
  • Insertion loss (max): 2.5 dB @ 0.01 – 0.7 GHz
    3.1 dB @ 0.7 – 3 GHz
    4.3 dB @ 3 – 6 GHz
  • Isolation (min): 55 dB @ 0.01 – 0.7 GHz
    RFC – RFx 40 dB @ 0.7 – 3 GHz
    35 dB @ 3 – 6 GHz
  • Isolation (min): 55 dB @ 0.01 – 0.7 GHz
    RFx – RFy 40 dB @ 0.7 – 3 GHz
    30 dB @ 3 – 6 GHz
  • Input power (max): 30 dBm @ 0.01 – 6 GHz (thru path)
  • Input power (max): 20 dBm @ 0.01 – 6 GHz (hot switching & into termination)
  • Input IP3 (typ): 63 dBm @ 0.01 – 6 GHz

Environmental Specifications

  • Operating temp: 0°C to +50°C
  • Storage temp: -20°C to +70°C
  • Relative humidity: 95% at +40°C

Mechanical Specifications

  • Dimensions: 50x56x22 mm
  • Weight: 44 g
  • Connectors: SMA(F)
Microwave RI 2442 Solid State RF Switch back view
Microwave RI 2442 Solid State RF Switch back view

Overview

The Ranatec RI 2583 is a high performance solid state switch module with 1 pole and 8 throws. It is very well suited for high volume testing where a long lifetime is required without sacrificing RF performance. RI 2583 offers very good linearity, power handling and speed.

Application

The RI 2583 Solid state switch module is designed for applications such as:

  • Production testing of mobile handsets
  • Production testing of mobile base stations
  • Built-In-Test (BITE) applications
  • MIMO applications

Control Interfaces

  • RI 2583, Molex 502584-0570 Function
  • PIN 1 GND
  • PIN 2 SDA
  • PIN 3 VCC*
  • PIN 4 SCL
  • PIN 5 GND
  • * 4-30 VDC

DP8T Solid State Switch

Features

  • Switch mode: DP8T USB/I2C controlled, terminated
  • USB driver DLL available for download
  • 0.1 – 4.8 GHz RF frequency range
  • Insertion loss < 4.8 dB up to 3 GHz • Isolation > 70 dB
  • +26 dBm maximum input power
  • USB bus-powered when controlled via USB
  • Flexible supply voltage via I2C interface: 4.7-15 VDC
  • High repeatability
  • Ultra-long lifetime

Electrical Specifications

  • Switch mode: SP4T latching, terminated
  • Supply voltage I2C: 4.7 – 15 VDC
  • Supply current max: < 50 mA @ USB/I2C
  • I2C-bus LOW-level: 0.99 V
  • I2C-bus HIGH-level: 2.31 V
  • I2C-bus MAX-level: 5.5 V
  • Switching time (max): 20 ms
  • Operating frequency: 0.1 – 4.8 GHz
  • Impedance: 50 Ohm
  • Max DC at RF inputs: 25 VDC
  • VSWR RFCy→RFx (max):
    1.67:1 @ 0.1 – 0.698 GHz
    1.79:1 @ 0.698 – 4.8 GHz
  • VSWR RFx→RFCy (max):
    1.60:1 @ 0.1 – 0.698 GHz
    1.67:1 @ 0.698 – 4.8 GHz
  • VSWR RFCy terminated (max):
    1.67:1 @ 0.1 – 0.698 GHz
    1.79:1 @ 0.698 – 4.8 GHz
  • VSWR RFx terminated (max):
    1.43:1 @ 0.1 – 3 GHz
    1.67:1 @ 3 – 4.8 GHz
  • Insertion loss (max): 3.8 dB @ 0.1 – 0.698 GHz
    4.0 dB @ 0.698 – 1.5 GHz
    4.8 dB @ 1.5 – 3 GHz
    6.0 dB @ 3 – 4.8 GHz
  • Isolation, any combination of RF ports (min):
    70 dB @ 0.1 – 4.8 GHz
  • Input power thru path (max):
    26 dBm @ 0.1 – 4.8 GHz
  • Input power hot switching & into termination (max):
    20 dBm @ 0.1 – 4.8 GHz
  • Input 1 dB compression point (typ):
    23 dBm @ 0.5 – 4.8 GHz
  • Input IP3 (typ): 40 dBm @ 0.5 – 4.8 GHz

Environmental Specifications

  • Operating temp: 0°C to +50°C
  • Storage temp: -20°C to +70°C
  • Relative humidity: 95% at +40°C

Mechanical Specifications

  • Dimensions: 50x100x22 mm
  • Weight: 75 g
  • Connectors: SMA(F)
Solid State Switches (RI 2582 DP8T Solid State Switch)
Solid State Switches (RI 2582 DP8T Solid State Switch)

Ordering

RI 2582 DP8T Solid State Switch (USB or I2C)

Overview

The Ranatec RI 2582 is a high performance solid state switch module with 2 poles and 8 throws. Any of the 2 poles can be connected to any of the 8 throws. It is very well suited for high volume testing where a long lifetime is required without sacrificing RF performance. RI 2582 offers very good linearity, power handling and speed.

Application

The RI 2582 Solid state switch module is designed for applications such as:

  • Production testing of mobile handsets
  • Production testing of mobile base stations
  • Built-In-Test (BITE) applications
  • MIMO applications

Control Interfaces

  • RI 2582, Molex 502584-0570 Function
  • PIN 1 GND
  • PIN 2 SDA
  • PIN 3 VCC*
  • PIN 4 SCL
  • PIN 5 GND
  • * 4.7-15 VDC

FAQs

An RF coaxial switch is an electromechanical relay, or solid-state relay, which is used to direct RF signals from one path to another path. Coaxial switches are typically used in signal routing applications where a high level of automation is requested.

The Ranatec RF Coaxial Switch is of the type solid-state, which means electronic switching with no moving parts – they are also known as “Solid State RF Switches”. The result is coaxial switches with fast switching speed across all frequencies and long lifetime

When you’re buying RF switches, there are several considerations regarding specifications and interfaces you need to keep in mind to select the one that matches your needs and situation:

  • Switch configuration: The number of poles and throws
  • Switch parameters and characteristics
  • Impedance
  • Frequency and connector types
  • RF power handling
  • Coil voltage
  • Actuator type
  • Terminations
  • Indicators
  • Circuit control

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