National Instruments 780587-42 Quad 2x1 RF Relay Module

The National Instruments 780587-42 is also identified as the PXIe-2542 module. It is a Quad 2x1 RF Relay Module designed for routing RF signals in production test applications. This module incorporates high-performance solid-state relays that offer benefits such as unlimited mechanical lifetime and fast switching time. The front-mounted SMA connectors simplify connections to RF devices. The 780587-42 module includes termination on every COM line and channel that reduces RF signal reflections and protecting connected instruments.

The 780587-42 unit supports AC coupling along with a minimum input frequency of 10 MHz and a characteristic impedance of 50 Ω. It can handle a maximum safe DC input voltage of ±8V and continuous RF power levels of +30 dBm when the chassis is on and +20 dBm when off. The insertion loss is less than 3.7 dB up to 2.4 GHz, less than 4.8 dB up to 6 GHz, and less than 6.1 dB up to 6.6 GHz that ensures efficient signal transmission with a thermal coefficient of α = 1,112 ppm/°C.

The frequency flatness is maintained within 0.15 dB over 200 MHz and 0.50 dB over 1 GHz up to 5 GHz. The Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) is kept below 1.6 up to 2.4 GHz, below 1.7 up to 3.5 GHz, and below 1.6 up to 6 GHz that provides minimal signal reflection. The NI 780587-42 multiplexer features a typical relay operate time of 1 ms and a maximum of 3.3 ms along with simultaneous drive support for up to 90 relays. Mechanical relay life expectancy is 1 × 108 cycles. The electrical relay life varies with load conditions that ranges from 2.5 × 106 cycles at low power to 1 × 105 cycles at higher power levels.

Trigger characteristics include PXI trigger lines <0...7> for input and output triggers. The 780587-42 unit has a minimum pulse width of 150 ns for input and software-selectable pulse width from 1 µs to 62 µs for output. The physical design includes 12 SMA female jacks and requires a PXI or PXI Express chassis with specified power requirements. The NI 780587-42 module's dimensions are 21.6 cm × 2.0 cm × 13.0 cm, and it weighs 553 g. It is designed for indoor use along with an operating temperature range of 0 °C to 55 °C and a storage range of -40 °C to 71 °C.