7Microwave Switch/Attenuator Driver

Using Single Drive Switches and Attenuators

Some microwave switches require a single drive. With single drive devices the channel numbering is not consecutive across all channels in a bank (refer to the channel numbering description on page 143).

The L4445A can provide single drive devices with either pulsed or continuous drive current. Settings and parameters for continuous drive mode are given in the next section.

Continuous Drive Current

Driving non- latching devices requires a power supply capable of handling sustained high current requirements. You may only use continuous drive current with channel configured for single drive. Additionally, to prevent power supply loading, care must be taken when operating more than one continuous drive at a time. The actual drive may be configured as either TTL or open- collector operation.

Using Continuous Drive

The diagram below illustrates the continuous drive signals for two channels (switches) and the relationship of the drive parameters to the power supply requirements.

T(Setttle)

T(Recovery)

Drive Ch 1

Drive Ch2

Start Drive

Start Drive

Channel 1 Position

Channel 1

Channel 2

Indicators Evaluated

As shown in the diagram, the drive signal is initially applied to channel 1. Drive is applied to channel 2 only after a power supply recovery period has elapsed T(Recovery). The power supply recovery time is set using the the ROUTe:CHANnel:DRIVe:TIMe:RECovery command. This parameter may be set individually for each channel or will default to 0.0 ms following either a SYSTem:RMODule:RESet or ROUTe:RMODule:BANK:PRESet command.

If you are verifying the channel closure (see page 149), you may also specify a T(Settle) parameter. This parameter ensures the switch has had time to change state before the position indicator is evaluated. This parameter may be set individually for each channel or will default to 0.0 ms following either a SYSTem:RMODule:PRESet or

ROUTe:RMODule:BANK:PRESet command.

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L4400 User’s Guide

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Agilent Technologies L4400 Using Single Drive Switches and Attenuators, Continuous Drive Current, Using Continuous Drive