Subsystem takes on RF and microwave switching

Racal Instruments has developed a new switching platform, providing a complete turnkey solution for custom RF, microwave and optical switching.

Racal Instruments has developed a new switching platform, providing a complete turnkey solution for custom RF, microwave and optical switching.

The platform offers users custom configurations to greatly simplify and reduce design/development/test time for microwave system integrators, in industries such as telecommunications, military and aerospace.

There is often a need to precondition signals from a test object as well as switch them.

Racal's model 1257 embodies all the elements of control, conditioning and signal routing, as determined by the needs of the test engineer for each application.

The fast design and delivery of a customised 1257 unit is achieved by use of a dedicated software design tool.

The lifetime of a switch is typically around 1 million cycles - which can be exceeded in as little as two months.

This makes 'serviceability' a primary consideration.

Removable drawers allow fast access to all components, both for diagnostics in development applications, and for ease and speed of service.

In time critical applications the drawer can be quickly replaced ('sparing'), keeping down-time to a minimum Removable top and bottom covers allow for easy maintenance whilst the unit is under power avoiding the need for recalibration of the unit An easy to use front panel interface allows the engineer to open and close switches manually, without using software.

This is particularly important during set up and debugging.

Back to top