New USB controlled microwave and millimetre wave components

Pasternack has released new lines of USB controlled microwave and millimetre wave components which includes amplifiers, attenuators and PIN diode switches. The new components are controlled and powered by a convenient USB 2.0 port with driverless installation, meaning no external power supply is required. The attenuators and PIN diode switches require an easy-to-use downloadable software program which interfaces with any Windows computer. The company is releasing two models each of the amplifiers, switches and attenuators that cover extremely wide frequency bands up to 40GHz. The modules are 50ohm hybrid MIC designs that do not require any external matching components. The USB controlled amplifiers offer typical performance of 12dB gain, 10dBm P1dB, a 4.5dB noise figure and operate over a 50MHz to 18GHz band or 50MHz to 40GHz band. The attenuators offer typical performance of 30dB attenuation, 5dB to 8dB of insertion loss, a 1dB step size and are available in two programmable models that cover 100MHz to 18GHz and 100MHz to 40GHz. Finally, the SPDT switches offer typical performance 3dB to 5dB of insertion loss, 65dB to 70dB isolation, a 6µsec switching speed and are available in two models that cover 500MHz to 18GHz and 500MHz to 40GHz. All models operate over a broad temperature range of -40°C to +85°C and depending on the frequency, are available with either female SMA or 2.92mm connectors, says the company. “Pasternack now offers a complete selection of high performance broadband USB controlled amplifiers, attenuators and switches. The USB 2.0 connection is convenient and innovative, utilizing a computer interface to power and control these devices for ease of use,” said Tim Galla, Active RF components product manager, Pasternack.