Keysight Technologies 34945A, L4445A, L4490A, L4491A Configuration Manual

Keysight Technologies

34945A, L4445A, and L4490A/L4491A

Configuration Guide

Introduction

RF/Microwave switches are used in a wide variety of applications ranging from DC to over
50 GHz. These applications can include:

– Wireless Communications
– Broadband CATV
– Communication Satellites
– Test and Measurement Equipment
– Electronic Radar and Defense Systems
– Avionics
– Medical Electronics
– Space Programs.

High Frequency measurement systems can be configured to route RF/Microwave signals in a
variety of configurations including:

– Selection from multiple signal sources to a single output
– Selection of multiple input signals to a single measurement instrument
– Transfer switching to insert or remove a device in a signal path
– Matrix switching of multiple inputs and outputs

Keysight Technologies, Inc. is a leader in providing RF/Microwave switching solutions. Keysight’s
solutions include both RF/Microwave switch modules and switch driver instruments that control
discreet (external) switches and attenuators physically located at the site of the device under
test (DUT) or application.

The purpose of this configuration guide is to introduce you to the features of the Keysight
34945A, L4445A, and L4490A/L4491A family of RF/Microwave switching instruments, and to
assist you in the three step process of selecting and configuring your Keysight system:

Step 1: Select the switches/attenuators and their options for your application.

Step 2: Determine the type and number of distribution boards required, and the bracket and

cable kits required.

Step 3: Select the switch driver instrument or switch platform you plan to use.

03 | Keysight | 34945A, L4445A, and L4490A/L4491A - Configuration Guide

Step 1

Supported Keysight Switches
and Attenuators

Table 1, shown on the following page, is
a list of commonly used and supported
Keysight switches and attenuators with
their recommended options. Use Table 1

The Keysight 34945A and L4445A
Microwave Switch/Attenuator Drivers and
the L4490A/L4491A RF Switch Platform
support virtually any RF/Microwave switch

to locate your switch(es)/attenuator(s) and
the accessories required. You may find it
necessary to refer to the table frequently
as you work through this guide.

or attenuator.

Table 1. Common Keysight RF/Microwave Switches and Attenuators

Position
indicator
option

2

Included

Included

N/A

Included

Switch
model Description

N1810UL
N1810TL
N18 11T L
N1812UL

8710 4A
8710 4B
8710 4C

8710 6A
87106B
8710 6C

87106P

8710 6Q

87106R

874 06B
874 06Q
87204A
87204B
87204C

87206A
87206B
87206C

87606B
87606Q

87222C
87222D
87222E

87222R

Un-terminated latching 3-port
(SPDT)
Terminated latching 3-port (SPDT)
Terminated latching 4-port
(bypass)
Un-terminated latching 5-port
SP4T 4-por t latching, terminated
SP4T 4-por t latching, terminated
SP4T 4-por t latching, terminated

SP6T 6-port latching, terminated
SP6T 6-port latching, terminated
SP6T 6-port latching, terminated

Low PIM Switch, SP6T 6-port,
latching, terminated
Low PIM Switch, SP6T 6-port,
latching, terminated
Low PIM Switch, SP6T 6-port,
latching, terminated
6-port matrix, terminated
Low PIM Switch, 6-port matrix,
terminated
SP4T 4-por t latching, terminated
SP4T 4-por t latching, terminated
SP4T 4-por t latching, terminated

SP6T 6-port latching, terminated
SP6T 6-port latching, terminated
SP6T 6-port latching, terminated

6-port matrix, terminated
Low PIM Switch, 6-port matrix,
terminated
4-port transfer
4-port transfer
4-port transfer

Low PIM Switch, 4-port transfer

Frequency
range

DC – 2, 4, 20,
or 26.5 GHz

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 20 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 20 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz

DC - 4 GHz

DC - 20 GHz

DC - 26.5 GHz

DC – 20 GHz
DC – 20 GHz
DC – 4 GHz
DC – 20 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 20 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz

DC – 20 GHz
DC – 20 GHz

DC – 26.5 GHz
DC – 40 GHz
DC – 50 GHz

DC- 26.5 GHz

Reference
document

1

number

5968-9653E

50 91-336 6E

87104-80017

59 65-7 8 41E
87406-80005

5965-3309E

59 65-7842E
87606-80005

5968-2216E

87222-80007

Coil
voltage
option

124 402/403

024: 24 VDC
T24: TTL/5 V
CMOS
compatible

Included

024: 24 VDC

Included

24 VDC

Note that the switches, attenuators, and
accessories shown in Tables 1 and 2 are
not included with the instrumentation
and must be ordered separately! Use the

chart on page 13 to track your selections
as you determine your configuration.

DC
connector
option

201
(DB9F)

161
(16-pin DIP)

161
(16-pin DIP)

161
(16-pin DIP)

Distribution board
[number of
switches/board]

Y1150A [8]
Y1152 A [2]
Y1154 A [6]

Y1151A [2]

Y1152A [1] Y1172 A

Y1154A [2]

Bracket kit
(Cable kit)

Y1170A: L4491A
Y1171A: L4490A
(Y1157A )

Y1172 A
(Y115 9A)

(Y115 9A)

Y1173A
(Y115 8A)

3

3

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04 | Keysight | 34945A, L4445A, and L4490A/L4491A - Configuration Guide

Table 1. Common Keysight RF/Microwave Switches and Attenuators (continued)

DC
connector
option

161
(16-pin DIP)

161
(16-pin DIP)

060
(12-pin Viking)

Switch
model Description

L7104A
L7104B
L7104C

L7106A
L7106B
L7106C

L7204A
L7204B
L7204C

L7206A
L7206B
L7206C
L7222C

8762A
8762B
8762C

8763A
8763B
8763C

8764A
8764B
8764C

8762F
8765A
8765B
8765C
8765D

8765F
8766K
8767K
8768K
8769K
8767M
8768M
8769M
U9 397A
U9397C

SP4T 4-por t latching, terminated
SP4T 4-por t latching, terminated
SP4T 4-por t latching, terminated

SP6T 6-port latching, terminated
SP6T 6-port latching, terminated
SP6T 6-port latching, terminated

SP4T 4-por t latching, un-terminated
SP4T 4-por t latching, un-terminated
SP4T 4-por t latching, un-terminated

SP6T 6-port latching, un-terminated
SP6T 6-port latching, un-terminated
SP6T 6-port latching, un-terminated
4-port transfer latching, terminated

Terminated latching 3-port (SPDT)
Terminated latching 3-port (SPDT)
Terminated latching 3-port (SPDT)

Terminated latching 4-port (transfer)
Terminated latching 4-port (transfer)
Terminated latching 4-port (transfer)

Terminated latching 5-port
Terminated latching 5-port
Terminated latching 5-port

75 ohms Terminated (SPDT)
Coaxial (SPDT),SMA
Coaxial (SPDT),SMA
Coaxial (SPDT),3.5 mm
Coaxial (SPDT),2.4 mm

Coaxial (SPDT), 75 ohm, SMB
Coaxial (SP3T)
Coaxial (SP4T)
Coaxial (SP5T)
Coaxial (SP6T)
Coaxial (SP4T)
Coaxial (SP5T)
Coaxial (SP6T)
8 GHz Solid State
18 GHz Solid State

Reference
Frequency
range

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 20 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 20 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 20 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 20 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz 5989-6084EN

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 18 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 18 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 18 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 4 GHz
DC – 20 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz
DC – 40 GHz

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz
DC – 26.5 GHz
DC – 50 GHz
DC – 50 GHz
DC – 50 GHz
300 kHz-8 GHz
300 kHz–18
GHz

document

number

5989-6030EN

595 2-1873 E

5964-3704E

59 52-2231E

5091-2679E

5959-7831

5988-2477EN

5989-6088EN

Coil
voltage

1

option

024 Included

Included Included

024 N/A

324 n/a

024 n/a

024 n/a 10-pin DIP Y1153 A [2]

Included n/a Solder terminals Y1155A [8]

Position
indicator
option

Distribution board
[number of
switches/board]

Y1151A [2]

Y1154 A [2]

Y1155 A [2]
Y1155A [1]

Bracket kit
(Cable kit)

Y1172 A
(Y115 9A)

Y1173A
(Y115 8A)

Y1175A

Y1175A
(Y115 8A)

Y1170A: L4491A
Y1171A: L4490A

3

3

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05 | Keysight | 34945A, L4445A, and L4490A/L4491A - Configuration Guide

Table 1. Common Keysight RF/Microwave Switches and Attenuators (continued)

DC
connector
option

Switch
model Description

84904K
84904L

11 dB max, 1 dB steps, 4 sections

Frequency
range

DC – 26.5 GHz
DC – 40 GHz

Reference
document

1

number

5963-6944

Coil
voltage
option

Position
indicator
option

Distribution board
[number of
switches/board]

Bracket kit
(Cable kit)

3

3

84906K

90 dB max, 10 dB steps, 4 sections

84906L

84907K

70 dB max, 10 dB steps, 3 sections

84907L

84904M
84905M
84908M

8494G

11 dB max, 1 dB steps, 4 sections
60 dB max, 10 dB steps, 3 sections
65 dB max, 5 dB steps, 4 sections

11 dB max, 1 dB steps, 4 sections

8494H

8495G

70 dB max, 10 dB steps, 3 sections

8495H

8496G

110 dB max, 10 dB steps, 4 sections

8496H

8495K

8497K

1. Product and technical overviews for the

2. Starting in June 2010, the current interrupt

70 dB max, 10 dB steps, 4 sections

90 dB max, 10 dB steps, 4 sections

switches and attenuators listed can be
obtained by document number from the
Keysight RF & Microwave Test Accessories
web site. Go to http://www.keysight.com/

find/accessories, select ‘RF & Microwave Test
Accessories,’ and search for the document

number. Additional information can also
be found in the ‘RF and Microwave Test
Accessories Catalog’ accessible from this site.
If viewing this document on-line, click on the
reference document link.

function (formerly Option 403) is a standard
feature for these switches. The serial number
information below shows which switch units
have the current interrupt function included as
standard.

N1810 UL:
Serial numbers MY07244672 and later
N1810 T L:
Serial numbers MY07247927 and later
N18 11TL :
Serial numbers MY07244660 and later
N1812UL:
Serial numbers MY07240668 and later

DC – 26.5 GHz
DC – 40 GHz

24 V
(standard) Included

DC – 26.5 GHz
DC – 40 GHz

DC – 50 GHz 5988-2475EN

024 Included

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 18 GHz

DC – 4 GHz
DC – 18 GHz

4

DC – 4 GHz

24 V
(standard) Included

DC – 18 GHz

DC – 26.5 GHz

DC – 26.5 GHz

3. Bracket kits apply to the L4490A and L4491A.
These kits include pre-assembled control
cables and hardware for mounting switches/
attenuators to the brackets and the bracket
assemblies to the L4490A and L4491A RF
Switch Platforms. Each bracket kit suppor ts
multiple switches (Table 2). The Cable-only
kits are primarily used with the 34945A and
L4445A, but can also be used with the L4 490A
and L4491A. These cables mus t be assembled
and each kit contains material to build multiple
cables (Table 2).

4. Information on these attenuators plus
additional information on other attenuators
can be found in the latest version of the ‘RF
and Microwave Test Accessories Catalog.’

10-pin DIP
(standard) Y1153 A [2]

10-pin DIP
(standard) Y1153 A [2]

Y1174A
(Y115 8A)

Y1174A
(Y115 8A)

12-pin Viking
(standard) Y1153 A [2] Y1175A

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