Microwave switch, also known as RF switch, controls the conversion of microwave signal channel.
An RF (radio frequency) and microwave switch is a device to route high-frequency signals through the transmission path. RF and microwave switches are widely used in microwave test systems for signal routing between instruments and equipment to be tested (DUT). By combining switches into a switch matrix system, signals from multiple instruments can be routed to a single or multiple DUTs. This allows multiple tests to be executed under the same settings without frequent connection and disconnection. The entire test process can be automated, thus improving throughput in mass production environments.
Microwave matrix switch
RF and microwave switches can be divided into two equally mainstream and important groups:
Electromechanical switches are based on a simple theory of electromagnetic induction. They rely on mechanical contact as a switch mechanism
The switch is a common device in the RF channel. It is needed whenever path switching is involved. Common RF switches include electronic switch, mechanical switch and PIN tube switch.
All-instrument solid-state switch matrix
Microwave switch matrix is a device that enables RF signals to be routed through optional paths. It is composed of RF switches, RF devices and control systems. Switch matrix is usually used in RF/microwave ATE system, which requires multiple test equipment and complex unit under test (UUT), which can effectively reduce the total measurement time and manual times.
Taking the 24-port switch matrix of the full instrument measurement and control as an example, it can be used for S parameter measurement and phase measurement of antenna IO modules, multi-band filters, couplers, attenuators, amplifiers and other devices. Its test frequency can cover the frequency range of 10MHz to 8.5 GHz, and can be widely used in multiple test scenarios such as design and development, quality verification, production phase testing, etc. of multi-port devices.
Post time: Mar-04-2023