Where switching meets instrumentation
In a recent interview, John Regazzi of Giga-tronics discussed trends in microwave test and switching applications.
By Larry Maloney, Contributing Editor -- Test & Measurement World, 3/1/2008
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Q: What is Giga-tronics’ prime area of technical leadership?
A: We are primarily an RF and microwave design company, with expertise in signal generation and routing. For example, we can offer engineers high-speed digital techniques for frequency synthesis. We are vertically integrated around signal-generation technology, building our own YIG oscillators, our own phase-lock loops (PLLs), and all the microwave modules for signal conditioning. As for leadership, I would point to our advanced synthesizers, which feature our Accumulative High-Frequency Feedback loop design. This allows very low divide numbers in our PLL, which translates into very low phase noise. We also can achieve microhertz tuning resolution in a single loop. The result is fast frequency switching in a compact, low-cost design.
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John Regazzi discusses changes in his company’s operations as well as trends in new product development in the continuation of this interview. |
Q: Who are the customers for these synthesizers?
A: There’s the bench engineer who wants a cost-effective signal generator with good phase noise. But the fast-switching capability also puts us into applications that need a fast local oscillator to collect a lot of data, such as antenna test and RFIC test.
Q: To what extent are you combining your products into systems solutions?
A: A good example is our cable correction feature. Here, our synthesizers and power meters work together to achieve very fast correction of path loss within switching systems. At a recent trade show, we highlighted our Ascor switching solutions, and we had the synthesizer and power meter calibrating all the measurement paths automatically. This is a common task in ATE, and the combination of our products performs this function in seconds, compared to nearly 30 min for competitive products.
Q: Are you also able to design custom test solutions?
A: Yes, especially with our Ascor line. Switching solutions find themselves between standard test equipment and the device under test, which is almost always unique with various inputs and outputs, connectors, and so on. So, switching solutions need to be customized. On the Delta Launch Vehicle, for instance, Ascor reviewed what had become an obsolete suite of test assets and suggested design improvements that led to a new Giga-tronics contract with Boeing. Ascor designed a single-tier “Hypertac” receiver mechanism, which reduced high insertion forces. Among other examples, customized Ascor switches are found in a new testing system for the Space Shuttle’s steering motor control unit. Currently, we are designing a switch upgrade on testers targeted for Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner.
Q: Does this expertise in instrumentation and switches give Giga-tronics an edge with customers?
A: In many ways, yes. Our switch designers are cognizant of the fact that instruments make measurements through the switch path. So, over the years, we have developed a set of best practices in design. For example, our switches offer about five times more bandwidth for the same switching arrangements than competitive products. We use transmission line techniques when we are developing the circuitry for the paths, so we are able to compensate for the discontinuities of the relays. We also isolate all the grounds. As a result, our products end up getting used in applications where others have failed, such as measuring very small signals in the presence of noise or where you must maintain the fidelity of a signal. In short, our instrumentation background has made our switch designers much more sensitive to how switches are used with test equipment, and they’ve modified their designs accordingly.
Read the continuation of this interview.
