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New high channel count microwave MUX modules from Pickering Interfaces

Pickering Interfaces, a leading provider of modular signal switching & simulation products for electronic test & verification, will showcase its extensive range of RF & microwave switching, including SPDT, transfer, MUX and matrix switches with bandwidths from DC to 110GHz, available in PXI, LXI and USB – as well as its new family of high channel count PXI/PXIe microwave multiplexer (MUX) modules – on booth 404 at IMS (International Microwave Symposium) 2024, at Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC, USA from June 18-20, 2024.

Part of IEEE Microwave Week, International Microwave Symposium (IMS) is the premier annual international meeting for engineers involved in all aspects of RF & microwave engineering theory and practice. It consists of a full week of events, including technical paper presentations, workshops and tutorials – as well as the largest RF & microwave commercial exhibition in the world, with well over 500 companies showcasing the latest in state-of-the-art materials, devices, components, and subsystems, alongside design, simulation, and test & measurement tools.

Pickering’s new high channel count microwave MUX family (models 40/42-788) is based on superior-quality Radiall mechanical microwave switches, with bandwidth options from 8GHz to 40GHz, and versatile switching configurations, including single or dual SP8T, SP10T or SP12T multiplexers. As well as microwave switching applications, the modules also suit many uses across the RF spectrum where extremely low insertion loss and ultra-high isolation are critical. “These modules give you the highest RF and microwave switching performance available within a Pickering switching system,” noted Switching Product Manager at Pickering, Steve Edwards, “as well as the highest channel count microwave multiplexer switches available from any PXI vendor. This can result in fewer switches and associated interconnections being required for high channel count microwave switching applications, improving signal quality and ease of programming.”

In addition to the new high channel count microwave MUX modules, Pickering will also highlight the following RF & microwave switching solutions:

  • MEMS-based PXI/PXIe RF multiplexers that deliver 300x operational life and 60x test system throughput compared to existing electro-mechanical relay products
  • 110 GHz PXI/PXIe microwave switch – supporting 5G and semiconductor test
  • A configurable PXI microwave switch platform that allows RF test engineers to combine a wide range of high-performance relay types while minimizing chassis slot usage
  • Microwave Design Tool – a free online tool for configuring flexible PXI & LXI microwave switch products
  • Flexible LXI microwave switch platform and turnkey services for LXI microwave switch and signal routing subsystems – including an LXI microwave switching matrix demo
  • Also on show will be a selection from Pickering’s broad portfolio of other switching and sensor simulation products, along with its PXI, PXIe and LXI/USB modular chassis and supporting cables & connectors