Switch Matrix

Why Buy a Switch Matrix from Keysight?      Minimize risk and enhance performance

An RF switch matrix provides automatic routing and signal conditioning between test equipment and the unit under test (UUT) in an RF/microwave ATE system.

Since ATE systems allow multiple measurements to be made automatically, the switch matrix decreases total measurement time and the number of manual connections to the UUT. Devices such as couplers, attenuators, amplifiers, and ilters can be included in the matrix to provide signal conditioning.

Keysight Technologies, Inc. has developed a wide range of custom switch matrices; ranging from a simple 1 x 6 to a 10 x 10 non-blocking full access matrix, to complete custom switching and conditioning units. This experience allows us to cost-effectively leverage the best solution for your application.

Optimized custom switch matrices include components and design techniques that preserve the signal integrity necessary for your system application.

Important RF design parameters include:

Standing Wave Ratio (SWR)

•  High SWR significantly reduces system performance.

Insertion Loss

•  High-frequency power is expensive. Careful management of insertion loss can help control overall cost and insure consistent performance through multiple signal paths.

Isolation

• Low isolation degrades measurements, especially when low- and high-level signals are routed and measured at the same time.

• Phase Matching: Careful control of RF components and cables is necessary to ensure consistent signal integrity through multiple paths.

Repeatability

• Test-set repeatability problems cannot be compensated by test software. They will directly impact measurement integrity and data correlation from system to system.

• As frequency increases, the importance of these performance parameters becomes more significant. Keysight engineers use sophisticated analysis tools to optimize predicted s-parameter performance and ensure measurement integrity in your system.

What makes Keysight unique?

The keys to Keysight’s exceptional switch matrix performance include our unmatched design experience, RF expertise, and our no-compromise manufacturing processes for switches, semi-rigid cables, matrix assembly and testing.

1.  RF measurement expertise and test system experience provide the optimal design for your application

Keysight is a top supplier of RF solutions, including instruments, components, custom switch matrices, software, services and turn-key systems. This gives our engineers inside access to RF instrument measurement science and to RF component design. As a result, Keysight has unique expertise and experience to define and develop the most effective solution. Keysight system engineers have years of experience in evaluating system requirements, including technical, management and workflow.

The result is an optimized solution that will minimize critical signal degradation, leverage the available instrumentation & system resources, and address the full range of your system requirements.

2.  Optimized RF component selection – for system performance and reliability

The performance of a switch matrix is primarily determined by the performance of its components, particularly the high frequency switches. Keysight system engineers specify the appropriate components for the application. In most cases we use Keysight switches. But we also use many RF components and switches from third parties.

Keysight switches have the best performance in the industry, with typical isolation of more than 90 db and SWR less than 1.2:1. Insertion loss repeatability is 0.03 db, resulting in higher measurement confidence.

Keysight’s multiport switch performance is guaranteed over a life of 5 million cycles, ensuring higher uptime for test system platforms.

The outstanding performance of our switches is the result of excellent design and rigid manufacturing tolerances. Every switch is tested for all specifications using high performance Keysight network analyzers.

3.  Controlled manufacturing process for semi-rigid cables

Keysight’s high quality switches provide the best building blocks for your matrix — and our high-quality semi-rigid cables transfer the optimum performance of these switches to your UUT.

The same Keysight manufacturing process that produces high-quality, semi[1]rigid coaxial cables for our RF and microwave instruments also makes the cables used in our custom switch matrices. For demanding applications such as phase matching, Keysight can tightly control cable bends, path lengths and other characteristics. For less demanding applications, Keysight can offer lower price “conformable” RF cables.