Specifications

Example 34945A/L4445A
Switch Driver Configurations
The following two examples
should give you a pretty good
idea of how to configure a
typical RF/Microwave Switch
system based upon the
Agilent 34980A and 34945A/
L4445A Switch Driver.
Example #1:
A test system is being built
that requires the following
Microwave Switching:
• (4) DC-18 GHz SP6T Switches
• (7) DC-18 GHz SPDT Switches
We will choose switches that are
latching, use 24 V coils, have
position feedback, and socket
connectors, where possible.
Looking at Table 1, we choose
the Agilent 87206B DC-20 GHz,
SP6T switches. That switch
can be driven by the Y1152A
Distribution board. Four SP6T
switches require four Y1152A’s.
Notice that each Y1152A can
also drive two N181x switches.
If we choose the N1810UL
switch, then all seven switches
can be driven by the four Y1152A
distribution boards. Each switch
will be ordered with options for
24 V coils, Position Indicators,
and socket connectors, as
shown in Tables 3 and 5.
Here is the final recommended
configuration:
• (4) 87206B DC-20 GHz
SP6T Switches
• (7) N1810UL DC-20 GHz
SPDT Switches
• (1) 34980A Switch/
Measure Unit
• (1) 34945A Switch/
Attenuator Driver w/cable
• (1) 34945EXT
• (4) Y1152A Distribution
Modules
• (2) Y1157A Cable Kits
for N1810UL switches
• (2) Y1158A Cable Kits
for 87206B switches
• Optional (4) Y1159A
Cable Kits for LEDs
If using the L4445A Switch/
Attenuator, simply replace
34980A, 34945A, and 34945EXT
above with a single L4445A.
(It comes with a single
34945EXT).
Note that since 24 V latching
relays were specified, there is
no need for an external power
supply. The34945A/L4445A
Module can provide power for a
single 34945EXT. Easy-to-build
ribbon cables can be built to
interface each of the switches
to the Y1152A Distribution
boards.
Example #2
Three separate, but identical,
custom-built test boxes have
been built and need a switch
driver to control switches
and attenuators. Each test
box already contains the
following hardware:
• (2) Agilent 87222E
Transfer Switches (24 V)
• (5) Agilent 33314D SPDT
Switches (24 V but no
position feedback)
• (1) Agilent 84905M 0-60 dB
Attenuator (24 V)
• Various filters, power
splitters, and amplifiers
• Combination 12 V/24 V
power supply to power
active devices
The 87222E Transfer switches
and the 84905M Attenuators
both have latching relays,
position feedback, and socket
connectors. The 33314D SPDT
switches are latching but do
not have position feedback.
Pulse Mode can be used to drive
all devices to the desired state.
This results in considerable
power savings.
It is desired that the Switch
Driver be mounted near
or within each test system
box. All three test boxes
may be active in the test
system at once.
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