RF & Microwave

Switching Solution

Matt Del Margo

Application Engineer

Agenda
1.

RF & microwave switches

a)

Introduction

b)

Important Parameters

c)

Switch technology/type

d)

Why choose Keysight EM switches

2.

Keysight Switching Solution Platforms

3.

Typical application for Keysight new RF test accessories

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 2

RF & Microwave Test Accessories Product Portfolio

Switches
Attenuators
Amplifier
Adapters & Connectors
Attenuator/Switch Driver
DC Block
Detector
Directional Bridge
Directional Coupler
Frequency Meter
Impedance Matching Pad
Power Divider
Power Limiter
Power Splitter
Termination (Loads)
Waveguide Accessories
RF Probes

One-Stop Solution Center

Keysight provides the broadest range of RF & microwave test accessories up to 67 GHz
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 3

What is an RF Switch"?
A device that can open and close an RF path.
A device that routes a high frequency signal through transmission paths.
Incorporating a switch into a switch matrix system enables you to route signals from
multiple instruments to a single or multiple DUTs.

Different switch configurations and usage:

Single-poledouble-throw
(SPDT)

Multiport Switches
(SPnT)

Transfer switches
(DPDT)

Bypass switches

Keysight
Technologies 2015

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Power Handling Capability of Switches

Hot versus Cold Switching
Hot switching: RF power is ON when switching is performed
For Keysight switches, hot switching spec is around 1- 2 W
Cold switching: RF power is OFF when switching is performed

Cold switching spec is higher compared to hot switching

Note: tested at 75 C

For more info, refer to Keysight literature

# 5989-6032EN
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 6

Switch Technologies Comparison

Mechanical

Solid State
PIN

FET

DC

MHz

KHz

< 1dB @ 40GHz

4dB @ 18GHz

6.5dB @ 18GHz

Switching speed

ms

ns

us

Power handling

+30dBm/1.0W (Hot)

+27dBm/0.5W

+27dBm/0.5W

Video leakage

None

High

Low

Harmonics

Low

High

High

> 5 million cycles

(High perf. models)
> 1 million cycles
(Lower cost models)

Infinite

infinite

Start Frequency
Insertion loss

Operating Life

Keysight
Technologies 2015

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Switch Types vs. Applications

Electromechanical (EM) Switches
Used in switch matrix systems for testing of telecommunication devices
Low insertion loss is critical
High power requirements

Solid State Switches

Used in ATE for high volume testing of RF semiconductor devices

Fast switching speed is critical

Infinite operating life

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 8

Choose your switch by: Switch Technology

Typical Application of Electromechanical (EM) Switch
Electromechanical switch applications
Antennas
Transceiver modules
Low noise amplifiers (LNA)
Receiver modules

Application requirements
Good insertion loss repeatability
Power handling of 50 W peak
Terminated
Long operating life

Figure above shows the test setup for 2-port measurements on a multiport device;
additional EM switches may be required for a complete measurement setup .
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 9

Choose your switch by: Switch Technology

Typical Application of Solid State (SS) Switch
Used in both basic signal routing and application specific switch matrices
tree matrices
full access matrices
multisource DUT switching in ATE systems

Application requirements
Fast settling time
Low video leakage

Application requirements
Fast switching speed
Fast settling time
Compatible logic
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 10

Why choose Keysight EM switches?

Long Operating Life (up to 10 million cycles typ) means minimal
downtime and value for cost of ownership, lower cost per million cycle
0.03 dB insertion loss repeatability* to minimize measurement
uncertainty and reduce downtime for system re-calibration
Exceptional isolation of > 100 dB @ 12 GHz minimize cross talk and
maximizes measurement accuracy

*up to 40GHz

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 11

Conventional EM Switches Flat Contact

Push
Rod

RF Line open

Flat
Surface

Inflexible
tip

Jumper
Contact

Center
Conductor

Contact
Pressure
Jumper
Contact

Flat
Surface

Debris
Is stuck

Center
Conductor

Inflexible
tip

Center
Conductor

Conventional Electromechanical switch mating

configuration

Particle buildup remains trapped

between jumper contact and
center conductor
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 12

Keysight EM Switches Wiping Action

Contact
Pressure

Jumper
Contact
motion

Curved
Surface

Center
Conductor

Jumper
Contact

Electromechanical
switch mating
configuration,
illustrating
microscopic
wiping.

For more info, refer to Keysight literature

# 5989-6085EN

Pressure
from pushrod

Debris

Center
Conductor

Pressure
released from
pushrod

Debris is
being
pushed
away
Jumper
Contact

Jumper
Contact

A piece of small debris is stuck on

the surface of center conductor

Center
Conductor

Debris is being push away by wiping

process of the jumper contact
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 13

Values of Keysight solid state switches

Dramatically increase throughput with ultra fast switching speed of < 450 ns
(PIN Diode Solid State Switches)

Maintain fast throughput with industry-leading settling time for FET switches
of 350 us.

Prevent damage to sensitive components with low video leakage < 10 mVpp
(FET Solid State Switches)

Minimize crosstalk with exceptionally high isolation > 80 dB

Ultra broadband (from DC up to 50 GHz) to meet your equipments ever

growing demands

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 14

Characteristic of Solid State Switch: Video Leakage

Video Leakage
is spurious signals at the RF ports of the switch
when no RF signal is applied
Video leakage can damage sensitive devices
such as in high-speed RFIC manufacturing test
Keysights FET solid-state switches offer low video
leakage, typically <10 mVpp, this ensures the
device under test is SAFE!
Keysight FET switches have low
video leakage, typically < 10 mVpp

For more information:

Video Leakage Effects on Devices in Component Test 5989-6086EN

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 15

Agenda
1.

RF & microwave switches

a)

Introduction

b)

Important parameters

c)

Switch technology/type

d)

Why choose Keysight EM switches

2.

Keysight Switching Solution Platforms

3.

Typical application for Keysight new RF test accessories

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 16

Choose your switch by: Switch Driving Method

PXI

Power Supply

Driving Methods

USB

Switch Driver

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 17

Keysight Switching Solution Platforms

Products
Fully Integrated Custom
Switch Matrix

Large scale Switch

Platform

Value
Custom
Switch Matrix

RF
Switch
Platform

Switch
Platform
Medium scale switch
driver &
PXI platform

Bench-top switch
driver

Mixed Low
Frequency and
RF Switching

RF & uW Switch
Drivers

Fully integrated solution

that is optimized for a
specific application

Shorten the custom switch

matrix development time

Mixed signal system

for medium scale
switch matrix

Flexibility to
mount switches
in fixture
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 18

Keysight Switching Solution Platforms

Size

Complexity Flexibility Integration

Cost

Fully
Integrated
Custom
Switch Matrix

Large

Very High

Low

Fully
integrated

High

Large scale
Switch
Platform

Large

High

Medium

Self
integration

Medium

Medium scale
switch driver
&
PXI platform

Medium Medium

High

Self
integration

Medium

Bench-top
switch driver

Small

High

Self
integration

Low

Low

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 19

Agenda
1.

RF & microwave switches

a)

Introduction

b)

Important parameters

c)

Switch technology/type

d)

Why choose Keysight EM switches

2.

Keysight Switching Solution Platforms

3.

Typical application for Keysight new RF test accessories

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 20

Keysight DC - 40/50/67 GHz SPDT/Bypass Switches

High Frequency Microwave Switching Solution
N1810TL/UL Terminated/Unterminated SPDT Switches
N1811TL/12UL 4-Port/5-port Bypass Switches

Application Focus Specifications

High reliability and exceptional 0.05 dB insertion loss repeatability, minimizing system uncertainty and
reducing downtime
Long operating life of 5 million cycles reducing cost of ownership
Excellent isolation of 70 dB at 67 GHz, maximizing measurement accuracy
Low insertion loss of <1.12 dB at 67 GHz
Low SWR of <1.90 at 67 GHz

Applications
Radar and satellite testing
Wireless-HDMI
Microwave backhaul radios

More Information:
www.Keysight.com/find/switches

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 21

Typical Application

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 22

Keysight USB Coaxial Switch

New USB Coaxial Switch, SPDT, U1810B (DC to 18 GHz)
Features
USB plug-and-play
0.03 dB IL repeatability
5 million cycles operating life (typ 10 million cycles)
High power handling, 100 W @ 4 GHz for cold switching
Bundled soft front panel provides a control to the switch
Control of the switch through various software platform such as C, LabVIEW, VEE, etc
or alternative virtual interface.
Benefits
Provide fast and flexible access
Increase throughput
Reduce down time and maintenance cost

Keysight
Technologies 2015
Page 23

Page 23

Typical Application
With Wireless Test Set
For mobile phone manufacturing test, it has
RF and non-RF testing. During non-RF
testing, test set is idle. With USB switch, it
helps to reduce the idle time of the test set
by switch to DUT 2 for testing, before it
switches back to DUT 1 to continue the test.

With Network Analyzer

Measure two DUTs with 1 connection either
in frequency (antenna) or time domain
(coaxial cable) application. Or switch
between DUT and reference unit for
calibration.

For more info, refer to Keysight application

note#: 5991-1596EN
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 24

Dual SP6T switch matrix

U1816A DC 8 GHz
U1816C DC 26.5 GHz
Features

Allows switching of multiple RF signals without physically changing the connections.

Controlled via USB for ease of control.
5 million cycles operating life (typical 10 million cycles)
SFP is provided for ease of control

Key Application

M8190A AWG

These switches are extremely

useful for applications in
communication, component
test and other test systems
that require multiple signal
routing, superior RF
performance and high
isolation to minimize crosstalk.

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 25

Typical Application

Case #2
S11 & S21 mixed test
(e.g. Diversity antenna(s)
included Handset case)
Or, multi-site 2-port DUTs

Case #1
6-pt DUT x2
(S11)

DUT

Station #1

Fixture

Operator
#1
1 or 2 DUTS
Available for 1 to 6-port DUT
Can use USB foot switch

2-port DUT

DUT

Station #2

Fixture

Operator
#2

Watch the video to learn more

http://youtu.be/urkyH5FrOXg

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 26

Switch Matrix with Scope for High Speed Digital

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 27

Challenge with Multi-Lane Interface Validation

with an Oscilloscope
Challenge:

Solution:

Oscilloscope
SMA Coaxial
Cables

Oscilloscope

SMA Coaxial
Cables
Switching
Network

Lane 1

Lane 2

Lane 3

Lane 4

Clock

4-Lane D-PHY DUT

Lane 1

Example of a 4-lane D-PHY interface. A pair of differential

data and clock signals can be connected to the oscilloscope
for validation at one time.
Manual changing of probe connection is required.

Lane 2

Lane 3

Lane 4

4-Lane D-PHY DUT

Switch between data lanes without

physically reconnecting the signals.
Keysight
Technologies 2015

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Clock

Page 28

Enabling Switch Matrix Feature in the

Compliance Application

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 29

Keysight PXI 26.5 / 50 GHz Switches and Attenuators

Complete 26.5 GHz Switching and Attenuation Solution

M9155C PXI SPDT 26.5 GHz Switch

M9156C PXI Transfer 26.5 GHz Switch
M9157C PXI SP6T 26.5 GHz Switch
M9168C PXI 26.5 GHz Step Attenuator
M9168E PXI 50 GHz Step Attenuator
M9170A PXI Switch/Attenuator Driver

Customer Benefits
Readily scaled switches and attenuator in PXI hybrid modules
New Keysight M9170A one-slot PXI attenuator/switch driver module provides flexible drive
control for the expansive portfolio of Keysight RF & microwave step attenuators and
electromechanical switches.
Maximize the PXI chassis slot utilization, which ultimately improves testing efficiency
Keysights own
design and
production of
microwave switches
and attenuators.
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 30

Typical Application
Multi-DUT Solution at an Affordable Price
PXI VNA + PXI Switch

PXI VNA + PXI Switch

Case2:
2-pt DUT x2
(S11)

DUT
Fixture

Operator
#1

DUT
Fixture

Operator
#2

PXI VNA + PXI Switch

Case3:
6-pt DUT x2
(S11)

DUT

DUT

Fixture

Fixture

Operator
#1

Operator
1 or 2 DUTS
#2

Available for multiple DUT

Can use USB foot switch
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 31

Typical Application
Wideband MIMO PXI vector signal analyzer

Easy one-time power

calibration; source stays at a
single power level
Frees user from power level
non-linearity and accuracy
issues from source
Obtain accurate and
calibrated low power levels
easily

For more info, refer to Keysight application note#: 5991-1018EN

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 32

Keysight PXI 26.5 GHz Switches and Attenuator

M9170A vs M9155/6/7C & M9168C/E
Standard Solution

Custom Solution

A readily scaled integrated Scalable configuration and easy operation

solution
Alternative to drive Keysight's broad portfolio of
standalone switches and attenuators, up to 67 GHz

Cost saving
Min Chassis slot
M9155/6/7C DC-26.5 GHz PXI
SPDT/ Transfer/ SP6T Switches

M9170A PXI Attenuator/Switch Driver

M9168C/E DC-26.5/50 GHz PXI

Programmable Step Attenuator
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 33

Keysight Low PIM Coaxial Switches

SPDT DC 4/20/26 . 5 GHz
DPDT DC 4/20/26 .5 GHz
SP4T /6T DC 4/20/2 6. 5 G Hz
Product Description
Expansion of our current High Performance Electro-mechanical switches (N181x, 87222,
87104/6) with ultra low PIM (Passive Inter-Modulation) specification. Designed to combine
unmatched configuration flexibility with best-in-class repeatability, long life cycles and reliability.

Features

Low PIM performance of -160 dBc

0.03 dB insertion loss repeatability*
3 million cycles per section of operating life
Excellent isolation minimizes cross-talk between channels to ensure signal integrity

Key Application
LTE Basestation design and manufacturing test that needs ultra low PIM.
Passive Intermodulation (PIM) becomes a concern in applications where two or more
transmitted signals share a common antenna or whenever the transmitter signal is too high or
the receiver is sensitive to high intermodulation.
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 34

Typical Application
PIM Tester

Low PIM Switch

Low PIM Switch

DUT
DUT

Test multiple DUTs with single

connection

Perform 2 tests (S-parameter test

& PIM measurement) with single
connection
Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 35

Switches Information Sources

To learn more . . .
Internet:
Keysight RF & MW Switches page: www.keysight.com/find/switches

Keysight Switch Drivers page: www.keysight.com/find/switchdrivers

Keysight USB Switch page: www.keysight.com/find/USBswitch
Keysight Low PIM Switch page: www.keysight.com/find/lowpim

Keysight RF and Microwave Switch Selection Guide:

http://literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/5989-6031EN.pdf

Keysight Technologies Bench and System Switching Products:

http://literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/5989-9872EN.pdf

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 36

Thank you!!

Keysight
Technologies 2015

Page 37