USB SPDT Switch Box Spans DC To 18 GHz

March 23, 2011

A long-life single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch box from Mini-Circuits, model USB-2SPDT-A18XL, provides the simplicity of Universal Serial Bus (USB) control (no device driver is needed) in addition to outstanding electrical performance from DC to 18 GHz. The housing contains two electromechanical SPDT absorptive failsafe switches in break-before-make configuration powered by a +24 VDC supply. The switches, which can each handle as much as 10 W cold-switching power, offer low insertion loss of 0.2 dB and 85 dB isolation across the frequency range. The switch box is rated for more than 100 million switching operations. It is shipped with a 2.7-ft. USB cable and a power adapter for both US and EU systems, and is ideal for test applications. The USB switch box is priced at less than $500.00 USD.

About the Author

Jack Browne

Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.