RE: Low signal switching

2003-04-23 Thread djumbdenst...@tycoint.com

Robert,

I checked my tabulation of drive levels for the various test levels.  When
testing at 10V/m and 3V/m, I do have occasional adequate drive levels.
However, when I test at 1V/m, I don't have sufficient drive.  On the other
hand, if I am testing at a 10-3-1 sequence, the first 2 in the sequence have
already "cleaned" the contact.  

If I want to be sure of having cleaned contacts, I can put attenuation after
the switch.  This will cause my source to drive harder.  I checked my
numbers across the range.  In my case I have 30 dB of head room, so I can
easily insert 20 dB of attenuation and insure sufficient current cleaning of
my contacts.

Thanks for the insight.

Best regards,

Don


From: robert Macy [mailto:m...@california.com]
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2003 2:46 PM
To: djumbdenst...@tycoint.com; emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
Subject: Re: Low signal switching



Don,

It is my understanding that physical switch contacts are
"cleaned" with current - and use.  

It is probably ok at the lower signal levels since from
time to time you're running the higher levels through the
switches.  

Is there someway you can switch and then verify contact?

   - Robert -

   Robert A. Macy, PEm...@california.com
   408 286 3985  fx 408 297 9121
   AJM International Electronics Consultants
   101 E San Fernando, Suite 402
   San Jose, CA  95112


On Mon, 21 Apr 2003 13:27:38 -0400
 djumbdenst...@tycoint.com wrote:
> 
> Hello Friends,
> 
> I have an application in which I would like to switch
> system signals on coax
> cables. One system is 80 to 1000 MHz, the other is 1-2
> GHz.  I have found
> coax switches by Narda, DB Products and Dow Key. Dow Key
> indicates that the
> signals should be above -20 dBm to ensure that contact
> resistance doesn't
> cause a problem.  The others do not spec or address low
> signal issues. My
> branches operate at -35 dBm, 0 dBm and 50 dBm.  The 2
> higher values are not
> a problem, just the -35 dBm.  Are there other companies
> that you are aware
> of that make 50 ohm coax switches that are specified to
> operate at low
> signal levels?  Other ideas?
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Don Umbdenstock
> Sensormatic
> 
>


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Re: Low signal switching

2003-04-22 Thread John Woodgate

I read in !emc-pstc that djumbdenst...@tycoint.com wrote (in <846BF526A2
05F84BA2B6045BBF7E9A6A0532B3DB@flbocexu05>) about 'Low signal switching'
on Tue, 22 Apr 2003:
>It had not occurred to me that electronic switches might do the job.  I
>don't know if isolation will be an issue, but contact resistance is out of
>the picture, and I can live with a couple of dB of insertion loss.  Thanks
>for the idea.

There are special diodes (not PIN diodes) made for switching at UHF, in
TV tuners for example. 
-- 
Regards, John Woodgate, OOO - Own Opinions Only. http://www.jmwa.demon.co.uk 
Interested in professional sound reinforcement and distribution? Then go to 
http://www.isce.org.uk
PLEASE do NOT copy news posts to me by E-MAIL!


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RE: Low signal switching

2003-04-22 Thread drcuthbert

Some of these attenuators use wiping contacts- self cleaning. If there are any
microwave switches like that they will last longer during "dry" switching.
There is one SA I know of that has an attenuator exercise cycle. When the unit
is powered up it runs the attenuator through several cycles to clean the gold
contacts. 

  Dave Cuthbert


From: Ken Javor [mailto:ken.ja...@emccompliance.com]
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2003 5:20 PM
To: drcuthbert; 'djumbdenst...@tycoint.com'; emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
Subject: Re: Low signal switching


I can certainly suggest a solution, although it would take a bit of research
to totally determine the answer.  There are any number of spectrum analyzers
and EMI receivers out there with switchable front-end attenuators.  An HP
8566 has a noise floor of -135 dBm with a 10 Hz bandwidth and full video
filtering. An NM-37/57 has a much lower noise floor and these things have
been around for close to forty years, with no problems that I know of with
the attenuator switches fouling.

So any of the manufacturers of EMI receivers spectrum analyzers should know
what swtiches to buy.

I checked out Mini-Circuits:

http://www.minicircuits.com/

and the only amplitude related specs there were insertion loss and vswr.

> From: drcuthbert 
> Reply-To: drcuthbert 
> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 14:58:57 -0600
> To: "'djumbdenst...@tycoint.com'" ,
> emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
> Subject: RE: Low signal switching
> 
> 
> Don,
> 
> I have encountered this problem with low-level signals. It seems to vary
> greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer (the company we had the best
results
> with went out of business). When the contact(s) became dirty I would run a DC
> current and clean it. The problem would quickly return and the only real fix
> was to replace the relay. One to two years of life was typical. I also would
> like to know a good solution.
> 
> Dave Cuthbert
> Micron Technology
> 
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: djumbdenst...@tycoint.com [mailto:djumbdenst...@tycoint.com]
> Sent: Monday, April 21, 2003 11:28 AM
> To: emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
> Subject: Low signal switching
> 
> 
> 
> Hello Friends,
> 
> I have an application in which I would like to switch system signals on coax
> cables. One system is 80 to 1000 MHz, the other is 1-2 GHz.  I have found
> coax switches by Narda, DB Products and Dow Key. Dow Key indicates that the
> signals should be above -20 dBm to ensure that contact resistance doesn't
> cause a problem.  The others do not spec or address low signal issues. My
> branches operate at -35 dBm, 0 dBm and 50 dBm.  The 2 higher values are not
> a problem, just the -35 dBm.  Are there other companies that you are aware
> of that make 50 ohm coax switches that are specified to operate at low
> signal levels?  Other ideas?
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Don Umbdenstock
> Sensormatic
> 
> ---
> This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety
> Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list.
> 
> Visit our web site at:  http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/
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> 
> Archive is being moved, we will announce when it is back on-line.
> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at:
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> 
> ---
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RE: Low signal switching

2003-04-22 Thread djumbdenst...@tycoint.com

Ken,

It had not occurred to me that electronic switches might do the job.  I
don't know if isolation will be an issue, but contact resistance is out of
the picture, and I can live with a couple of dB of insertion loss.  Thanks
for the idea.

Best regards,

Don



From: Ken Javor [mailto:ken.ja...@emccompliance.com]
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2003 7:20 PM
To: drcuthbert; 'djumbdenst...@tycoint.com'; emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
Subject: Re: Low signal switching



I can certainly suggest a solution, although it would take a bit of research
to totally determine the answer.  There are any number of spectrum analyzers
and EMI receivers out there with switchable front-end attenuators.  An HP
8566 has a noise floor of -135 dBm with a 10 Hz bandwidth and full video
filtering. An NM-37/57 has a much lower noise floor and these things have
been around for close to forty years, with no problems that I know of with
the attenuator switches fouling.

So any of the manufacturers of EMI receivers spectrum analyzers should know
what swtiches to buy.

I checked out Mini-Circuits:

http://www.minicircuits.com/

and the only amplitude related specs there were insertion loss and vswr.

> From: drcuthbert 
> Reply-To: drcuthbert 
> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 14:58:57 -0600
> To: "'djumbdenst...@tycoint.com'" ,
> emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
> Subject: RE: Low signal switching
> 
> 
> Don,
> 
> I have encountered this problem with low-level signals. It seems to vary
> greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer (the company we had the best
results
> with went out of business). When the contact(s) became dirty I would run a
DC
> current and clean it. The problem would quickly return and the only real
fix
> was to replace the relay. One to two years of life was typical. I also
would
> like to know a good solution.
> 
> Dave Cuthbert
> Micron Technology
> 
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: djumbdenst...@tycoint.com [mailto:djumbdenst...@tycoint.com]
> Sent: Monday, April 21, 2003 11:28 AM
> To: emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
> Subject: Low signal switching
> 
> 
> 
> Hello Friends,
> 
> I have an application in which I would like to switch system signals on
coax
> cables. One system is 80 to 1000 MHz, the other is 1-2 GHz.  I have found
> coax switches by Narda, DB Products and Dow Key. Dow Key indicates that
the
> signals should be above -20 dBm to ensure that contact resistance doesn't
> cause a problem.  The others do not spec or address low signal issues. My
> branches operate at -35 dBm, 0 dBm and 50 dBm.  The 2 higher values are
not
> a problem, just the -35 dBm.  Are there other companies that you are aware
> of that make 50 ohm coax switches that are specified to operate at low
> signal levels?  Other ideas?
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Don Umbdenstock
> Sensormatic
> 
> ---
> This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety
> Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list.
> 
> Visit our web site at:  http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/
> 
> To cancel your subscription, send mail to:
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> Jim Bacher: j.bac...@ieee.org
> 
> Archive is being moved, we will announce when it is back on-line.
> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at:
> http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc
> 
> ---
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> 
> Archive is being moved, we will announce when it is back on-line.
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> http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc
> 



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Fo

RE: Low signal switching

2003-04-22 Thread Price, Ed

>-Original Message-
>From: djumbdenst...@tycoint.com [mailto:djumbdenst...@tycoint.com]
>Sent: Monday, April 21, 2003 10:28 AM
>To: emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
>Subject: Low signal switching
>
>
>
>Hello Friends,
>
>I have an application in which I would like to switch system 
>signals on coax
>cables. One system is 80 to 1000 MHz, the other is 1-2 GHz.  I 
>have found
>coax switches by Narda, DB Products and Dow Key. Dow Key 
>indicates that the
>signals should be above -20 dBm to ensure that contact 
>resistance doesn't
>cause a problem.  The others do not spec or address low signal 
>issues. My
>branches operate at -35 dBm, 0 dBm and 50 dBm.  The 2 higher 
>values are not
>a problem, just the -35 dBm.  Are there other companies that 
>you are aware
>of that make 50 ohm coax switches that are specified to operate at low
>signal levels?  Other ideas?
>
>Best regards,
>
>Don Umbdenstock
>Sensormatic


Don:

The only ones I trust are the HP (now Agilent) coax relays. As for low-level
reliability, this is what is used in my HP automated data acquisition
system, and I have also seen them used in Watkins Johnson receivers. Both
applications are small-signal (-110 dBm), low-loss, high isolation, high
reliability applications. Did I mention that they're expensive?

Ed

Ed Price
ed.pr...@cubic.com
Electromagnetic Compatibility Lab
Cubic Defense Systems
San Diego, CA  USA
858-505-2780  (Voice)
858-505-1583  (Fax)
Military & Avionics EMC Is Our Specialty
Shake-Bake-Shock - Metrology - Reliability Analysis



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Re: Low signal switching

2003-04-22 Thread robert Macy

Don,

It is my understanding that physical switch contacts are
"cleaned" with current - and use.  

It is probably ok at the lower signal levels since from
time to time you're running the higher levels through the
switches.  

Is there someway you can switch and then verify contact?

   - Robert -

   Robert A. Macy, PEm...@california.com
   408 286 3985  fx 408 297 9121
   AJM International Electronics Consultants
   101 E San Fernando, Suite 402
   San Jose, CA  95112


On Mon, 21 Apr 2003 13:27:38 -0400
 djumbdenst...@tycoint.com wrote:
> 
> Hello Friends,
> 
> I have an application in which I would like to switch
> system signals on coax
> cables. One system is 80 to 1000 MHz, the other is 1-2
> GHz.  I have found
> coax switches by Narda, DB Products and Dow Key. Dow Key
> indicates that the
> signals should be above -20 dBm to ensure that contact
> resistance doesn't
> cause a problem.  The others do not spec or address low
> signal issues. My
> branches operate at -35 dBm, 0 dBm and 50 dBm.  The 2
> higher values are not
> a problem, just the -35 dBm.  Are there other companies
> that you are aware
> of that make 50 ohm coax switches that are specified to
> operate at low
> signal levels?  Other ideas?
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Don Umbdenstock
> Sensormatic
> 
>


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Re: Out of Office AutoReply: Low signal switching

2003-04-22 Thread Cortland Richmond

I couldn't resist. After a whole string of "I'm out of the office" reply
messages on emc-pstc, what shows up in the mail queue?

"Where Have They Gone? Who Are They Now?
Click Here: http://( deleted)"

Ad for a Search firm.

I LOVE it!  Still chuckling, ten minutes later.

Cortland


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Re: Low signal switching

2003-04-21 Thread Cortland Richmond

I had occasion once to look at the input relay on an NM-37. The set acted
as if relay contacts were corroded -- but the sealed reed relay was fine;
the problem was a cold-solder joint.

Relays sealed in inert gas or vacuum should never fail due to corrosion,
and there's no need to limit their small-signal rating on account of that.
Of course, the days when we used to carry relay burnishers and contact
cleaner in our tool boxes are past, but I am now seeing relay-cleaning
routines built into the firmware of Amateur radio equipment, routines which
could be emulated by actually cycling input attenuators and switches once
in a while instead of leaving them long enough for contact corrosion to
become a problem.

Cortland


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Re: Low signal switching

2003-04-21 Thread Ken Javor

I can certainly suggest a solution, although it would take a bit of research
to totally determine the answer.  There are any number of spectrum analyzers
and EMI receivers out there with switchable front-end attenuators.  An HP
8566 has a noise floor of -135 dBm with a 10 Hz bandwidth and full video
filtering. An NM-37/57 has a much lower noise floor and these things have
been around for close to forty years, with no problems that I know of with
the attenuator switches fouling.

So any of the manufacturers of EMI receivers spectrum analyzers should know
what swtiches to buy.

I checked out Mini-Circuits:

http://www.minicircuits.com/

and the only amplitude related specs there were insertion loss and vswr.

> From: drcuthbert 
> Reply-To: drcuthbert 
> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 14:58:57 -0600
> To: "'djumbdenst...@tycoint.com'" ,
> emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
> Subject: RE: Low signal switching
> 
> 
> Don,
> 
> I have encountered this problem with low-level signals. It seems to vary
> greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer (the company we had the best
results
> with went out of business). When the contact(s) became dirty I would run a DC
> current and clean it. The problem would quickly return and the only real fix
> was to replace the relay. One to two years of life was typical. I also would
> like to know a good solution.
> 
> Dave Cuthbert
> Micron Technology
> 
> 
> 
> -Original Message-
> From: djumbdenst...@tycoint.com [mailto:djumbdenst...@tycoint.com]
> Sent: Monday, April 21, 2003 11:28 AM
> To: emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
> Subject: Low signal switching
> 
> 
> 
> Hello Friends,
> 
> I have an application in which I would like to switch system signals on coax
> cables. One system is 80 to 1000 MHz, the other is 1-2 GHz.  I have found
> coax switches by Narda, DB Products and Dow Key. Dow Key indicates that the
> signals should be above -20 dBm to ensure that contact resistance doesn't
> cause a problem.  The others do not spec or address low signal issues. My
> branches operate at -35 dBm, 0 dBm and 50 dBm.  The 2 higher values are not
> a problem, just the -35 dBm.  Are there other companies that you are aware
> of that make 50 ohm coax switches that are specified to operate at low
> signal levels?  Other ideas?
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Don Umbdenstock
> Sensormatic
> 
> ---
> This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety
> Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list.
> 
> Visit our web site at:  http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/
> 
> To cancel your subscription, send mail to:
> majord...@ieee.org
> with the single line:
> unsubscribe emc-pstc
> 
> For help, send mail to the list administrators:
> Ron Pickard:  emc-p...@hypercom.com
> Dave Heald:   davehe...@attbi.com
> 
> For policy questions, send mail to:
> Richard Nute:   ri...@ieee.org
> Jim Bacher: j.bac...@ieee.org
> 
> Archive is being moved, we will announce when it is back on-line.
> All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at:
> http://www.ieeecommunities.org/emc-pstc
> 
> ---
> This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety
> Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list.
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> Visit our web site at:  http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/
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RE: Low signal switching

2003-04-21 Thread drcuthbert

Don,

I have encountered this problem with low-level signals. It seems to vary
greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer (the company we had the best results
with went out of business). When the contact(s) became dirty I would run a DC
current and clean it. The problem would quickly return and the only real fix
was to replace the relay. One to two years of life was typical. I also would
like to know a good solution.

   Dave Cuthbert
   Micron Technology




From: djumbdenst...@tycoint.com [mailto:djumbdenst...@tycoint.com]
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2003 11:28 AM
To: emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
Subject: Low signal switching



Hello Friends,

I have an application in which I would like to switch system signals on coax
cables. One system is 80 to 1000 MHz, the other is 1-2 GHz.  I have found
coax switches by Narda, DB Products and Dow Key. Dow Key indicates that the
signals should be above -20 dBm to ensure that contact resistance doesn't
cause a problem.  The others do not spec or address low signal issues. My
branches operate at -35 dBm, 0 dBm and 50 dBm.  The 2 higher values are not
a problem, just the -35 dBm.  Are there other companies that you are aware
of that make 50 ohm coax switches that are specified to operate at low
signal levels?  Other ideas?

Best regards,

Don Umbdenstock
Sensormatic


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Re: Low signal switching

2003-04-21 Thread Ken Javor

There was a thread on this some time ago and I think the consensus was that
the -20 dBm limit must be a typo, or a misunderstanding by the sales dept
that writes the catalog copy.  if the switch is purely mechanical, the
signal level shouldn't matter, except for here are some wool-gathering
thoughts. If there is any kind of solid-state device in the path like a
diode then there could be a lower limit to the signal that would be passed
through.  But also if it were a purely mechanical contact with any galvanic
potential induced, that might inhibit the rf signal.  -20 dBm is 87 dbuV
which is about 22 mV (converting mentally) and perhaps a galvanic potential
could corrupt signals at a level lower than that.

Maybe someone else will have a more definitive reply.

> From: djumbdenst...@tycoint.com
> Reply-To: djumbdenst...@tycoint.com
> Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 13:27:38 -0400
> To: emc-p...@majordomo.ieee.org
> Subject: Low signal switching
> 
> 
> Hello Friends,
> 
> I have an application in which I would like to switch system signals on coax
> cables. One system is 80 to 1000 MHz, the other is 1-2 GHz.  I have found
> coax switches by Narda, DB Products and Dow Key. Dow Key indicates that the
> signals should be above -20 dBm to ensure that contact resistance doesn't
> cause a problem.  The others do not spec or address low signal issues. My
> branches operate at -35 dBm, 0 dBm and 50 dBm.  The 2 higher values are not
> a problem, just the -35 dBm.  Are there other companies that you are aware
> of that make 50 ohm coax switches that are specified to operate at low
> signal levels?  Other ideas?
> 
> Best regards,
> 
> Don Umbdenstock
> Sensormatic
> 
> ---
> This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety
> Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list.
> 
> Visit our web site at:  http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/
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> 



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Low signal switching

2003-04-21 Thread djumbdenst...@tycoint.com

Hello Friends,

I have an application in which I would like to switch system signals on coax
cables. One system is 80 to 1000 MHz, the other is 1-2 GHz.  I have found
coax switches by Narda, DB Products and Dow Key. Dow Key indicates that the
signals should be above -20 dBm to ensure that contact resistance doesn't
cause a problem.  The others do not spec or address low signal issues. My
branches operate at -35 dBm, 0 dBm and 50 dBm.  The 2 higher values are not
a problem, just the -35 dBm.  Are there other companies that you are aware
of that make 50 ohm coax switches that are specified to operate at low
signal levels?  Other ideas?

Best regards,

Don Umbdenstock
Sensormatic


This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety
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