RF switch boards speed automatic test setups

Automated test engineers can use the new National Instruments PXI and SCXI RF multiplexing switch modules to route signals ranging from DC to 5GHz.

These modules, which are the latest addition to the more than 125 available switch configurations from National Instruments, complement the company's growing product offering for communications test.

They are ideal for accurate RF signal routing in telecommunications, military/aerospace and automated test applications.

The NI PXI-2595 and NI SCXI-1195 5GHz switches and the NI PXI-2594 and NI SCXI-1194 2.5GHz switches offer excellent voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), isolation and insertion loss specifications to retain signal integrity across their entire frequency range.

All switches feature built-in relay count tracking for predictive maintenance of the module, reducing the potential for system downtime as the relays near the end of their rated lifetimes.

The new PXI switches add to the company's current RF offering on the industry-standard PXI platform.

Engineers can use the PXI-2594 and PXI-2595 with PXI vector signal analysers (such as the PXI-5660) and generators (such as the PXI-5670) to create a complete RF application in one PXI chassis.

Furthermore, both PXI switches integrate with all NI PXI modular instruments, including digitisers, digital multimeters, power supplies and arbitrary waveform generators, to help create a complete functional test system in one platform.

The SCXI-1194 and SCXI-1195 modules are ideal for engineers who plan to add switching to a pre-existing test system made of third-party equipment.

When combined with the USB switch mainframes offered by National Instruments, these SCXI switches form a cost-effective, plug-and-play solution that easily integrates with external RF equipment and takes advantage of the flexibility and ease of use of USB.

All of the new switches use the full-featured NI-Switch driver software for basic relay operations in common development environments such as the NI LabView graphical development environment, LabWindows/CVI for ANSI C development and Microsoft Visual Basic/C++.

For additional assistance in configuring, programming and managing high-channel-count switching systems, NI Switch Executive software offers an easy-to-use, intelligent switch management and visual routing environment.

Engineers can use the per-path calibration capability of NI Switch Executive to ensure greater measurement accuracy by storing complete path calibration information.