RF & Microwave Switching Solutions
RFIU Signal Routing & Distribution
Pickering has a long history of providing RF & Microwave switch solutions. Our RFIU (RF Switching Interface Units) signal routing solutions range from simple switch control to fully integrated turnkey, tested and documented subsystems. What sets us apart? Our customer focus and agility, along with the performance and flexibility of our solutions.
standard/cots
Standard/COTS PXI, LXI & USB Switching with bandwidths up to 110 GHz
- PXI RF & Microwave switch modules that cover the frequency spectrum, including SPDT, transfer, MUX and matrix switching.
- These modules can be used in our
PXI or PXIe hybrid chassis
or our
LXI/USB chassis
, allowing remote control over USB or a gigabit Ethernet connection.
- LXI standard solutions - ethernet-controlled rack-mountable signal routing solutions range from standard and user-specified relay configurations to fully integrated turnkey switching subsystems
- An example is our
LXI RF & Microwave Multiplexers
, offering the highest density configuration possible, packaging up to 16 multiplexers onto a 2U high rack.
![Pickering's standard/COTS PXI, LXI & USB RF/Microwave switching](/portal/web/256/content/images/image-library/standard-cots-pxi-lxi-rf-microwave-switching_1.jpg)
![Flexible and configurable LXI & PXI microwave switch platforms from Pickering](/portal/web/256/content/images/image-library/flexible-pxi-lxi-microwave-products.png)
Flexible
Flexible RFIU Switch Platforms
These flexible, configurable PXI and LXI microwave switch solutions may be specified with a mix of high-performance microwave relays up to 110 GHz bandwidth at 50Ω impedance or up to 2.5 GHz at 75Ω impedance and a range of connector types.
- Available relays include Transfer, SPDT, SP4T, SP6T, SP8T, SP10T and SP12T in unterminated and terminated versions
- Flexibility in front-panel relay positioning helps minimize external interconnecting cable lengths
- LED indication of energized switch paths
- Our model 60-890-001 is an example of mixed configuration microwave switch that was created for a customer and has now become a standard product
Try our free online microwave switch design tool to configure your RF & microwave switching.
Turnkey
Turnkey RFIU Switch & Signal Routing Subsystems
With our turnkey LXI microwave switch subsystems, we have the expertise and ability to turn your high-level requirements for a microwave switching subsystem into the fully integrated solution you need.
- You provide us with your unique configuration and specification
- Our engineers will work closely with you to provide a well-defined, fully integrated and supportable end product to satisfy your microwave testing needs.
- You'll get a fully documented end product to ensure performance repeatability in subsequent builds/orders — whether it be two months or five years from now.
![Pickering's Turnkey Microwave Switch & Signal Routing Subsystems](/portal/web/256/content/images/industry/pickering-turnkey-microwave-subsystems.png)
Commonality
Get commonality across all of our industry-standard test and measurement platform solutions
The design and manufacturing practices used are the same as for all our extensive range of switching, covering thousands of products from DC to light. Across all these platforms, you get commonality, including:
- Common S/W driver control for ease of integration
- Driverless soft front panels for manual control
- Support for all common operating systems and application programming interfaces
- We are also able to supply mating RF cables and adaptors
- All products come with our standard 3-year warranty
And, regardless of which of the above solutions you go with, you get predictable performance and speedy delivery.
expectations
What to expect when you engage with Pickering for your RF/Microwave switching
Defining your RFIU signal routing and distribution systems can be challenging. Work with a global vendor with the expertise you need to finish the job on time and within budget. When you work with us, you get the following:- Collaborate directly with our engineers during the design phase.
- Optimized solutions - we take your high-level requirements and design the best solution.
- A fully documented end product.
- Platform and component agnostic, we have the platform and components you need.
- Whether you need one or 20 systems, our process treats them all the same.
Success Story
Turnkey Microwave MUX Switch for MRI Automated Test Equipment
We are very happy with the result. This was a complex challenge, but now we have a better system that is 100% compatible with our established working practices, and Pickering delivered it on time and on budget.
Harrie van den Oever
Electrical Engineer at Philips