Microwave Switch/Attenuator Driver

7

Using Dual Drive Switches and Attenuators

Many microwave switches and attenuators have a paired drive input. Typically, one drive is electrically connected to the lower channel number in a bank and one connected to a corresponding upper channel number. For example, a dual drive switch should have its ‘State A’ coil connected to channel 21 and its ‘State B’ coil connected to channel 31 on bank two.

The L4445A drives dual drive devices in pulsed mode only. Pairing two channels automatically configures the channels to pulsed mode (you must explicitly un- pair the channels before continuous drive mode can be

re- enabled). Settings and parameters for pulsed drive mode are given on page 148.

Pairing Channels

With dual drive devices the channels in each bank may be paired (refer to the channel numbering description on page 143). For example, one drive might be ‘State A’ and one drive ‘State B’ on a switch. Pairing channels allows settings and control to be shared between the two drives. To pair channels use the ROUTe:CHANnel:DRIVe:PAIRed:MODE command. When paired, the lower and upper channel number on a bank are combined. For example, the following command pairs channel 1 and channel 11 on bank 1.

ROUTe:CHANnel:DRIVe:PAIRed:MODE ON, (@1101)

You may also pair all channels in a bank by specifying a range of channels:

ROUTe:CHANnel:DRIVe:PAIRed:MODE ON, (@1101:1108)

Typically, pairing is performed using the lower channel numbers in the bank. You may set channel parameters using either the lower or upper channel number. The settings will apply to both channels in the pair.

You must have the channel drive turned off before attempting to pair channels. Channel drive is turned off by sending the ROUTe:RMODule:DRIVe:SOURce OFF command.

Once a channel is paired, only pulse drive is allowed on that channel.

Setting any of the following parameters applies the setting to both of the paired channels:

ROUTe:CHANnel:DRIVe:PULSe:WIDTh

ROUTe:CHANnel:DRIVe:TIMe:RECovery

ROUTe:CHANnel:DRIVe:TIMe:SETTle

ROUTe:CHANnel:VERify:ENABle

L4400 User’s Guide

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Agilent Technologies L4400 manual Using Dual Drive Switches and Attenuators, Pairing Channels