Mini-Circuits RC-2MTS-26 User Manual

Mini-Circuits

USB & Ethernet Controlled

RoHS Compliant

See our web site for RoHS Compliance
methodologies and qualifications

RF Transfer Switch Matrix

RC-2MTS-26

50Ω DC to 26.5 GHz

The Big Deal

• Dual mechanical transfer switch

• Wideband performance up to 26.5 GHz

• High reliability, 2 million switch cycles

• High isolation

Case Style: SH3109

Typical Applications

• 5G node / device testing

• Automated test equipment

• Fail-safe / redundancy switching

• Switch matrices

Product Overview

Mini-Circuits’ RC-2MTS-26 comprises a pair of independently controlled, electro-mechanical transfer switches. Each switch
operates over a wide bandwidth, from DC to 26.5 GHz with high isolation (80 dB typical), low insertion loss (0.3 dB typical) and
high input power rating. The switches are of a fail safe and break-before-make-configuration using a patented design which
ensures long-term reliability, with a minimum life time of 2 million switching cycles when used within the noted specifications.

The switch box is constructed in a compact, rugged metal case (4.5 x 6.0 x 2.25”) with all SMA(f) RF connectors on the front
panel.The switches are controlled via USB or Ethernet, allowing control directly from a PC, or remotely over a network. Full
software support is provided, including our user-friendly GUI application for Windows and a full API with programming instructions
for Windows and Linux environments (both 32-bit and 64-bit systems).

Key Features

Feature Advantages

Dual transfer switches

Fail-safe design

Break-before-make configuration

USB & Ethernet control

Full software support

Transfer switches provide a simple DPDT switch application (2 input to 2 output switch matrix) and are
a useful building block in much larger switch matrices

The switches revert to a known default state when the DC supply is removed, allowing their use in
systems that must continue to operate safely in the event of power failure

Prevents a momentary connection of the old and new signal paths, reducing the inconsistent transient
effects that could otherwise be observed during switching

USB HID and Ethernet (HTTP / Telnet) interfaces provide easy compatibility with a wide range of
software setups and programming environments

User friendly Windows GUI (graphical user interface) allows manual control straight out of the box,
while the comprehensive API (application programming interface) with examples and instructions
allows easy automation in most programming environments

®

www.minicircuits.com P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 [phone] [e-mail]

REV. OR
ECO-004089
RC-2MTS-26
MCL NY
200915

Page 1 of 7

Mini-Circuits

USB & Ethernet Controlled

RF Transfer Switch Matrix

Electrical Specications at 25°C

Parameter Conditions

Frequency Range DC 26.5 GHz

DC - 8 GHz — 0.15 0.30

Insertion Loss

Isolation

VSWR

Switching Time — — 25 — ms

RF Input Power
(Cold Switching)

Switch Lifetime (per Switch)

Rated Voltage

Rated Current (24V DC Input)

Rated Current (USB) — 10 20 mA

1

Maximum power per path, with all portS terminated into 50Ω

2

Hot switching power above this level will degrade the switch lifetime.

1

8 - 12 GHz — 0.20 0.40

12 - 18 GHz — 0.30 0.50

18 - 26.5 GHz — 0.50 0.70

DC - 8 GHz 70 90 —

8 - 12 GHz 65 80 —

12 - 18 GHz 60 80 —

18 - 26.5 GHz 50 70 —

DC - 8 GHz

8 - 12 GHz — 1.40

12 - 18 GHz — 1.50

18 - 26.5 GHz — 1.70

DC - 8 GHz 20

8 - 12 GHz 10 W

18 - 26.5 GHz 5

<0.1W hot switching

0.1 - 1W hot switching — 1 —

24VDC input 23 24 25

USB port — 5 —

Both switches in state 2 — 440 610

Both switches in state 1 — 90 120

2

Min. Typ. Max. Units

— 1.30

2 — —

RC-2MTS-26

million cycles

dB

dB

:1

V

mA

Switching States (per Switch)

J1

J3

State 1

J2

J4

J1

J3

State 2

J2

J4

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C

Storage Temperature -15°C to 85°C

Supply Voltage 26V

Connections

Port Name Connector Type

RF Switch A (J1, J2, J3 & J4) SMA female

RF Switch B (J1, J2, J3 & J4) SMA female

USB USB type-B

Ethernet / LAN RJ45

24V DC Input 2.1mm center positive DC socket

www.minicircuits.com P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 [phone] [e-mail]

®

Page 2 of 7

Mini-Circuits

USB & Ethernet Controlled

RF Transfer Switch Matrix

RC-2MTS-26

Insertion Loss

0.7

0.6

0.5

0.4

dB

0.3

0.2

0.1

0

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000

J1 - J2 J1 - J3

J2 - J4 J3 - J4

Frequency (MHz)

VSWR

2

1.9

1.8

1.7

1.6

1.5

:1

1.4

1.3

1.2

1.1

1

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000

J1 J2

J3 J4

Frequency (MHz)

Isolation

120

100

80

60

dB

40

20

0

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000

J1 - J2 J1 - J3

J2 - J4 J3 - J4

Frequency (MHz)

®

www.minicircuits.com P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 [phone] [e-mail]

Page 3 of 7

Mini-Circuits

USB & Ethernet Controlled

A B C D E F G H J K L M wt

6.00 4.50 2.25 0.64 0.64 1.16 3.05 0.81 0.28 3.50 0.375 6.75 grams

152.4 114.3 57.2 16.2 16.2 29.4 77.5 20.5 7.1 88.90 9.52 171.45 880

RF Transfer Switch Matrix

Outline Drawing (SH3109)

RC-2MTS-26

Outline Dimensions ( )

www.minicircuits.com P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 [phone] [e-mail]

inch

mm

®

Page 4 of 7

Mini-Circuits

USB & Ethernet Controlled

RF Transfer Switch Matrix

Software Specications

Software & Documentation Download:

• Mini-Circuits’ full software and support package including user guide, Windows GUI, DLL files, programming manual and
examples can be downloaded free of charge from https://www.minicircuits.com/softwaredownload/rfswitchcontroller.html

• Please contact [e-mail] for support

Minimum System Requirements:

Parameter Requirements

Interface USB HID & Ethernet (HTTP & Telnet)

GUI Windows 98 or later

System
Requirements

Hardware Pentium II or later with 256 MB RAM

USB API DLL

USB Direct Programming Linux, Windows 98 or later

Ethernet

Windows 98 or later and programming environ­ment with ActiveX or .NET support

Windows, Linux or Mac computer with a network
port and Ethernet TCP/IP support

RC-2MTS-26

Application Programming Interface (API)

Ethernet Support:

• Simple ASCII / SCPI command set for attenuator control

• Communication via HTTP or Telnet

• Supported by most common programming environments

USB Support (Windows):

• ActiveX COM DLL file for creation of 32-bit programs

• .NET library DLL file for creation of 32 / 64-bit programs

• Supported by most common programming environments (refer to application note AN-49-001 for summary of supported envi
ronments)

USB Support (Linux):

• Direct USB programming using a series of USB interrupt codes

Full programming instructions and examples available for a wide range of programming environments / languages.

®

www.minicircuits.com P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 [phone] [e-mail]

Page 5 of 7

Mini-Circuits

USB & Ethernet Controlled

RF Transfer Switch Matrix

Graphical User Interface (GUI) for Windows - Key Features

• Connect via USB or Ethernet

• Run GUI in “demo mode” to evaluate software without a hardware connection

RC-2MTS-40

• View and set switch states at the click of a button

• Configure and run timed switching sequences

• Set start-up switch state

• Configure Ethernet IP settings

RC-2MTS-26

®

www.minicircuits.com P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 [phone] [e-mail]

Page 6 of 7

Mini-Circuits

USB & Ethernet Controlled

RF Transfer Switch Matrix

Ordering Information

Refer to Mini-Circuits’ website for pricing and availability information:

https://www.minicircuits.com/WebStore/dashboard.html?model=RC-2MTS-26

Model Description

RC-2MTS-26

Included Accessories Part No. Description

USB

& Ethernet controlled transfer switch matrix

AC/DC-24-3W1

AC/DC 24VDC Grounded Power Adaptor.
Operating temperature: 0°C to +40°C, I

Max

RC-2MTS-26

=2.5A

CBL-3W1-XX

USB-CBL-AB-3+

AC Power Cords

5.

If you need a Power cord for a country not listed please contact [e-mail]

5

Part No. Description

CBL-3W1-US Power Cord for United States

CBL-3W1-EU Power Cord for Europe

CBL-3W1-UK Power Cord for United Kingdom

CBL-3W1-AU Power Cord for Australia and China

CBL-3W1-IL Power Cord for Israel

AC Power Cord (Select one power cord from below with

each Switch Matrix box)

2.7 ft (0.8 m) USB Cable: USB type A(Male) to USB
type B(Male)

Optional Accessories Description

USB-CBL-AB-3+ 2.7 ft (0.8 m) USB Cable: USB type A(Male) to USB type B(Male)

USB-CBL-AB-7+ 6.8 ft (2.1 m) USB Cable: USB type A(Male) to USB type B(Male)

USB-CBL-AB-11+ 11 ft (3.4 m) USB Cable: USB type A(Male) to USB type B(Male)

CBL-RJ45-MM-5+ 5 ft (1.5 m) Ethernet cable: RJ45(Male) to RJ45(Male) Cat 5E cable

BKT-272-08+

Bracket (One set of 2 each)

Additional Notes

A. Performance and quality attributes and conditions not expressly stated in this specification document are intended to be excluded and do not form a part of this

specification document.

B. Electrical specifications and performance data contained in this specification document are based on Mini-Circuit’s applicable established test performance criteria and

measurement instructions.

C. The parts covered by this specification document are subject to Mini-Circuits standard limited warranty and terms and conditions (collectively, “Standard Terms”);

Purchasers of this part are entitled to the rights and benefits contained therein. For a full statement of the Standard Terms and the exclusive rights and remedies
thereunder, please visit Mini-Circuits’ website at www.minicircuits.com/MCLStore/terms.jsp

®

www.minicircuits.com P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 [phone] [e-mail]

Page 7 of 7

RF Transfer Switch Matrix RC-2MTS-26

Typical Performance Data per Switch

100 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 85.67 90.83 71.60 70.55 1.00 1.01 1.00 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01
500 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.04 93.57 86.78 89.26 90.27 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01 1.01
700 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 94.82 87.76 91.79 90.96 1.01 1.02 1.01 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.01 1.01
750 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 86.77 92.25 83.15 104.28 1.01 1.01 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.01 1.01 1.01

800 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.04 100.99 98.91 94.28 90.70 1.01 1.02 1.01 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.01 1.01
1000 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 113.21 90.07 87.86 89.13 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.02
1500 0.05 0.06 0.06 0.06 92.71 86.28 84.02 94.61 1.02 1.03 1.02 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.02 1.02
2000 0.06 0.06 0.06 0.06 98.35 88.73 79.29 81.84 1.03 1.04 1.04 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.03 1.03
2500 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.07 92.52 84.45 90.84 90.42 1.05 1.05 1.06 1.05 1.04 1.04 1.05 1.05
3000 0.07 0.08 0.08 0.08 97.47 100.79 89.88 89.69 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.07 1.06 1.06 1.07 1.07
3500 0.07 0.09 0.08 0.08 89.16 95.90 92.81 90.19 1.10 1.09 1.10 1.09 1.08 1.08 1.09 1.09
4000 0.08 0.10 0.09 0.09 93.91 94.48 87.67 80.97 1.13 1.12 1.13 1.12 1.12 1.11 1.12 1.12
4500 0.08 0.11 0.10 0.10 94.29 99.53 85.63 86.45 1.15 1.14 1.15 1.15 1.14 1.14 1.14 1.14
5000 0.09 0.12 0.11 0.11 88.87 91.92 90.19 88.79 1.16 1.17 1.16 1.18 1.17 1.17 1.15 1.16
5500 0.10 0.12 0.11 0.12 98.26 106.48 87.47 85.78 1.17 1.17 1.17 1.18 1.17 1.17 1.16 1.16
6000 0.09 0.12 0.11 0.12 94.52 91.13 86.30 95.28 1.16 1.15 1.16 1.16 1.14 1.14 1.14 1.14
6500 0.08 0.12 0.10 0.11 91.48 87.95 82.39 88.24 1.13 1.12 1.14 1.12 1.11 1.12 1.12 1.12
7000 0.09 0.12 0.10 0.11 95.55 94.44 87.88 86.03 1.10 1.09 1.11 1.09 1.08 1.09 1.09 1.09
7500 0.08 0.11 0.10 0.10 90.15 90.37 86.39 80.23 1.06 1.04 1.07 1.04 1.03 1.05 1.04 1.05
8000 0.09 0.11 0.10 0.10 90.52 92.12 87.02 85.01 1.00 1.01 1.04 1.02 1.02 1.02 1.00 1.02
8500 0.11 0.11 0.10 0.10 90.32 88.76 82.23 82.15 1.05 1.05 1.07 1.05 1.08 1.06 1.04 1.05
9000 0.12 0.12 0.09 0.11 90.81 88.09 89.98 90.41 1.09 1.11 1.10 1.10 1.13 1.14 1.08 1.08
9500 0.11 0.14 0.08 0.12 85.88 84.39 89.35 95.21 1.12 1.12 1.13 1.13 1.16 1.16 1.11 1.11

10000 0.12 0.15 0.08 0.12 104.23 98.02 83.61 84.72 1.14 1.15 1.15 1.14 1.17 1.19 1.13 1.13
10500 0.10 0.15 0.06 0.12 84.12 86.82 83.83 80.86 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.15 1.18 1.21 1.12 1.12
11000 0.07 0.16 0.05 0.11 91.35 92.85 77.66 85.73 1.12 1.11 1.14 1.13 1.15 1.15 1.11 1.11
11500 0.07 0.16 0.05 0.11 93.89 98.02 86.26 81.73 1.10 1.10 1.11 1.11 1.13 1.14 1.09 1.09
12000 0.08 0.16 0.07 0.11 89.98 85.58 83.10 89.57 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.08 1.10 1.10 1.06 1.06
12500 0.08 0.16 0.08 0.10 103.74 91.67 83.14 87.14 1.04 1.06 1.05 1.06 1.06 1.06 1.04 1.04
13000 0.08 0.17 0.09 0.10 85.22 96.24 78.85 80.78 1.03 1.07 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.07 1.03 1.03
13500 0.08 0.17 0.10 0.11 104.27 87.70 81.86 80.53 1.02 1.06 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.07 1.04 1.03
14000 0.08 0.18 0.12 0.10 88.62 88.46 89.16 90.41 1.04 1.04 1.06 1.04 1.06 1.04 1.05 1.04
14500 0.06 0.19 0.11 0.11 92.76 85.23 79.86 87.61 1.07 1.07 1.08 1.08 1.10 1.09 1.07 1.06
15000 0.06 0.19 0.13 0.11 88.07 89.11 84.71 72.57 1.10 1.09 1.10 1.10 1.13 1.10 1.10 1.10
15500 0.07 0.20 0.15 0.12 84.09 89.76 88.62 82.26 1.13 1.10 1.14 1.11 1.12 1.08 1.14 1.13
16000 0.07 0.21 0.16 0.14 87.30 85.93 81.04 80.34 1.15 1.16 1.16 1.16 1.16 1.14 1.16 1.16
16500 0.06 0.22 0.14 0.14 81.40 88.98 85.07 79.31 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.16 1.18 1.16 1.18 1.18
17000 0.04 0.22 0.14 0.15 87.08 86.45 87.42 75.04 1.21 1.19 1.22 1.15 1.17 1.19 1.19 1.18
17500 0.04 0.21 0.14 0.15 86.37 84.35 76.97 75.53 1.16 1.18 1.20 1.15 1.16 1.21 1.19 1.17
18000 0.03 0.20 0.13 0.15 82.79 91.38 79.03 76.51 1.13 1.08 1.16 1.09 1.11 1.13 1.16 1.15
18500 0.01 0.20 0.12 0.14 82.74 101.72 75.76 81.33 1.09 1.05 1.11 1.10 1.09 1.09 1.12 1.12
19000 0.00 0.18 0.11 0.14 90.03 80.99 77.11 89.40 1.03 1.03 1.07 1.07 1.05 1.09 1.09 1.09
19500 0.04 0.18 0.09 0.13 88.72 83.25 82.49 76.84 1.01 1.08 1.03 1.06 1.04 1.04 1.06 1.05
20000 0.07 0.17 0.08 0.13 81.75 90.89 77.88 79.70 1.02 1.12 1.01 1.06 1.05 1.03 1.04 1.04
20500 0.01 0.17 0.15 0.13 79.40 99.18 81.78 86.79 1.04 1.10 1.02 1.07 1.05 1.02 1.04 1.04
21000 0.01 0.18 0.16 0.13 83.31 93.33 87.85 87.92 1.04 1.12 1.03 1.10 1.03 1.02 1.05 1.05
21500 0.07 0.20 0.21 0.14 85.10 85.07 73.42 81.72 1.08 1.10 1.06 1.10 1.05 1.07 1.09 1.09
22000 0.09 0.22 0.21 0.13 84.26 87.11 74.52 81.77 1.09 1.08 1.14 1.15 1.13 1.21 1.11 1.11
22500 0.11 0.25 0.20 0.14 83.50 84.07 93.72 81.04 1.20 1.15 1.21 1.18 1.22 1.17 1.16 1.18
23000 0.05 0.25 0.15 0.14 82.96 80.65 68.27 76.66 1.19 1.19 1.20 1.15 1.18 1.23 1.17 1.18
23500 0.01 0.27 0.11 0.13 76.80 83.89 80.17 76.65 1.18 1.13 1.19 1.13 1.18 1.28 1.14 1.15
24000 0.00 0.24 0.16 0.13 82.33 85.66 75.87 71.18 1.14 1.12 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.21 1.09 1.10
24500 0.00 0.24 0.17 0.13 77.83 77.60 90.87 82.85 1.04 1.02 1.07 1.11 1.09 1.17 1.08 1.04
25000 0.03 0.27 0.22 0.16 85.96 76.51 80.52 78.52 1.14 1.20 1.12 1.18 1.12 1.03 1.18 1.13
25500 0.09 0.34 0.31 0.23 87.99 78.65 80.87 72.22 1.28 1.42 1.28 1.33 1.23 1.29 1.36 1.28
26000 0.18 0.50 0.38 0.33 80.56 84.32 69.96 77.88 1.47 1.44 1.47 1.42 1.40 1.39 1.53 1.45
26500 0.23 0.61 0.51 0.42 75.55 81.12 74.53 71.59 1.65 1.76 1.65 1.65 1.62 1.63 1.63 1.61

FREQUENCY

(MHz)

J1-J2

J1-J3J3J1J2J1-J2

J1-J3

J3-J4

ISOLATON (OFF)

INSERTION LOSS (ON)

(dB)

(dB)

J3

J2-J4

J3-J4

J2-J4

J4

VSWR (ENERGIZED)

(:1)

VSWR (DE-ENERGIZED)

(:1)

J1J2J4

REV. OR

RC-2MTS-26

10/13/2020

Page 1 of 1

RF Transfer Switch Matrix RC-2MTS-26

Typical Performance Curves per Switch

0.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0 4000 8000 12000 16000 20000 24000 28000

Insertion Loss (dB)

Frequency (MHz)

Insertion Loss

J1-J2
J1-J3
J2-J4
J3-J4

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

0 4000 8000 12000 16000 20000 24000 28000

VSWR (:1)

Frequency (MHz)

VSWR (ENERGIZED)

J1
J2
J3
J4

1.0

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

1.8

0 4000 8000 12000 16000 20000 24000 28000

VSWR (:1)

Frequency (MHz)

VSWR (DE-ENERGIZD)

J1
J2
J3
J4

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

0 4000 8000 12000 16000 20000 24000 28000

Isolation (dB)

Frequency (MHz)

Isolation

J1-J2
J1-J3
J2-J4
J3-J4

REV. OR

RC-2MTS-26

10/13/2020

Page 1 of 1

Environmental Specifications

ENV104

Mini-Circuits

All Mini-Circuits products are manufactured under exacting quality assurance and control standards, and are capable of meeting published specifications after being subjected to
any or all of the following physical and environmental test.

Specification Test/Inspection Condition Reference/Spec

Operating Temperature 0° to 40° C

Ambient Environment

Storage Temperature -15° to 85°C

Ambient Environment

Operating and Storage Humidity 5% to 85% RH (non-condensing) Ambient

Bench Handling Test Bench Top Tip 45° & Drop MIL-PRF-28800F

Transit Drop Test Free Fall Drop, 20 cm (7.9 inches) MIL-PRF-28800F class 3

Individual Model Data Sheet

Individual Model Data Sheet

Rev:ENV104 OR 01/30/19 File:M171344 ENV104.pdf

This document and its contents are the property of Mini-Circuits.

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