Mini-Circuits RC-4SPDT-A18 User Manual

Mini-Circuits

USB & Ethernet Controlled

RoHS Compliant

See our web site for RoHS Compliance
methodologies and qualifications

RF SPDT Switch Matrix

RC-4SPDT-A18

50Ω DC to 18 GHz

The Big Deal

• Four independent mechanical SPDT switches

• 40W power rating (cold switching)

• High isolation, 85 dB typ

• High reliability

Case Style: LM1851

Software Package

Applications

• Fail safe / redundancy switching

• Automated test equipment

• Satcom switching

Product Overview

Mini-Circuits’ RC 4SPDT A18 contains four independently controlled, electro mechanical SPDT switches. Each switch operates over
an extremely wide bandwidth, from DC to 18 GHz with high isolation and low insertion loss. The absorptive switches are of a failsafe

and break before make conguration, with a lifetime of 5 million switching cycles per switch when used within the noted specications.

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). Download the software from our website at https://www.minicircuits.com/

softwaredownload/rfswitchcontroller.html.

Key Features

Feature Advantages

Four mechanical SPDTswitches

High power operation from DC to
18 GHz

Break-before make conguration

USB & Ethernet control

Full software support

Mechanical absorptive switches provide high reliability, repeatable high performance and internal
termination of input signals on the disconnected paths

Supports a wide range of RF test and signal routing applications up to X and Ku bands, with 40W
input power.

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. E
ECO-007155
EDR-10927/10F2

®

RC-4SPDT-A18
RAV/MCL NY
210331

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Mini-Circuits

USB/Ethernet RF Switch Matrix

RC-4SPDT-A18

Electrical Specications

Parameter Conditions Min. Typ. Max. Units

Frequency — DC 18 GHz

DC to 1 GHz − 0.10 0.15

RF Insertion Loss (per switch)

RF VSWR

RF Isolation (per switch)

Switching Time − − 15 − ms

RF Power (cold switching)

Rated Voltage

1

1 GHz to 8 GHz − 0.15 0.30

8 GHz to 12 GHz − 0.25 0.40

12 GHz to 18 GHz − 0.30 0.50

DC to 1 GHz − 1.05 −

1 GHz to 8 GHz − 1.20 −

8 GHz to 12 GHz − 1.20 −

12 GHz to 18 GHz − 1.25 −

DC to 1 GHz 85 100 −

1 GHz to 8 GHz 75 90 −

8 GHz to 12 GHz 70 80 −

12 GHz to 18 GHz 60 66 −

− − − 40 W

24V DC input USB port

23 24 25

− 5 −

dB

:1

dB

V

Rated Current (24V DC input)

Rated Current (USB port) − 10 20

Life (per switch)

1

. Maximum power for any connected through path as stated; maximum power into any internal termination is 1W

2.

Hot switching powers above this level will degrade the switch lifetime

Absolute Maximum Ratings

Operating Temperature 0°C to 40°C

Storage Temperature -15°C to 85°C

DC Voltage max. 26V

4

Permanent damage may occur if any of these limits are exceeded.

All switches in COM -> 2 position − 790 1055

All switches in COM -> 1 position − 115 165

@ 100 mW (hot switching)

@ 1 W (hot switching) − 1 −

4

2

− 5 −

Connections

24VDC IN (2.1 mm center positive DC Socket)

RF Switch A (1, COM, 2) (SMA female)

RF Switch B (1, COM, 2) (SMA female)

RF Switch C (1, COM, 2) (SMA female)

RF Switch D (1, COM, 2) (SMA female)

USB (USB type B receptacle)

Network (Ethernet/LAN) (RJ45 socket)

Switching Conguration (Per Switch):

• Fail-Safe

• Absorptive (Internal terminations on ports J1-J2)

J1

STATE 1

J2

J1

STATE 2

J2

mA

million switching

cycles

T1

IN

T2

T1

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IN

T2

®

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Mini-Circuits

USB/Ethernet RF Switch Matrix

0.00

0.05

0.10

0.15

0.20

0.25

0.30

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000

Insertion Loss (dB)

Frequency (MHz)

Insertion Loss

COM<>1 COM<>2

VSWR (:1)

Isolation

140

120

100

RC-4SPDT-A18

80

60

Isolation (dB)

40

20

0

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000

1.40

1.30

1.20

1.10

1<>2 COM<>2 (inactive) COM<>1 (inactive)

Frequency (MHz)

VSWR

COM port (COM<>1) COM port (COM<>2)

Port 1 (COM<>1) Port 2 (COM<>2)

1.00

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0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000

Frequency (MHz)

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Mini-Circuits

USB/Ethernet RF Switch Matrix

Outline Drawing (LM1851)

A

B

TOP VIEW

C

H

F

RC-4SPDT-A18

E

FRONT VIEW

M

K

BOTTOM VIEW

Outline Dimensions ( )

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

6.00 4.50 2.25 0.440 1.285 1.50 0.28 0.757 1.67 .375 6.75 3.500

152.4 114.3 57.2 11.18

inch

mm

32.64 38.2 7.1 19.23

9.5 171.5 88.90

42.4

REAR VIEW

BRACKET OPTION

ONE SET OF 2 EACH

FROM THE BOTTOM OF

WITH THE FASTENERS

WT. GRAMS

1160

®

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Page 4 of 8

Mini-Circuits

USB/Ethernet RF Switch Matrix

Typical Switching Performance

The graphs below present the typical mechanical switching characteristic from the point of applying the internal DC voltage to the

switch actuator (identied by the purple “trigger” trace). USB / Ethernet communication delays are excluded (in the order of several

ms , depending on PC / network performance). The break before make process is visible in the sequence of events (the active switch

path is disconnected, prior to connecting the nal switch path).

RC-4SPDT-A18

®

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Page 5 of 8

Mini-Circuits

USB/Ethernet RF Switch Matrix

RC-4SPDT-A18

Software Specications

Software & Documentation Download:

• Mini-Circuits’ full software and support package including user guide, Windows GUI, DLL les, 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 Windows 98 or later and programming environment with ActiveX or .NET support

USB Direct Programming Linux, Windows 98 or later

Ethernet

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

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 le for creation of 32-bit programs

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

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

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 6 of 8

Mini-Circuits

USB/Ethernet RF 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

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

• Congure and run timed switching sequences

• Set start-up switch state

• Congure Ethernet IP Settings

RC-4SPDT-A18

®

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

Page 7 of 8

Mini-Circuits

USB/Ethernet RF Switch Matrix

Ordering, Pricing & Availability Information see our web site

Model Description

RC-4SPDT-A18

Included Accessories Part No. Description

USB

/Ethernet RF SPDT Switch Matrix

AC/DC-24-3W1

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

Max

RC-4SPDT-A18

=2.5A

CBL-3W1-XX

USB-CBL-AB-3+

AC Power Cords

5.

Power cords for other countries are also available, if you need a power cord for a country not listed in the table please contact

[e-mail].

5

Part No. Description

CBL-3W1-US

CBL-3W1-EU

CBL-3W1-UK

CBL-3W1-AU

CBL-3W1-IL

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)

Power Cord for United States

Power Cord for Europe

Power Cord for United Kingdom

Power Cord for Australia and China

Power Cord for Israel

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 specication document are intended to be excluded and do not form a part of this

specication document.

B. Electrical specications and performance data contained in this specication document are based on Mini-Circuit’s applicable established test performance criteria and

measurement instructions.

C. The parts covered by this specication 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 benets 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

®

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