News | October 9, 2009

Giga-tronics Announces New Switch Distribution Solutions For Surveillance Antenna Systems

Source: Giga-tronics Incorporated

San Ramon -- Giga-tronics (NASDAQ:GIGA) announced today the addition of new switching systems specifically designed for low loss and high isolation of RF signals in multiple antenna surveillance systems, where many antennas need to be switched to multiple receivers. The Giga-tronics surveillance antenna distribution system switching solutions are non-blocking, and provide a true N x N system, where any antenna can be switched to any receiver, providing a switching solution with capability not available in a simple matrix switch.

Depending on the requirements of the specific system, switch only or switch plus splitter and/or distribution amplifier configurations are available. Select mechanical switches for lowest loss and highest signal integrity or solid-state switches for applications where fast switching speed is required. Passive splitters can be compensated for loss with distribution amplifiers. Unlike mechanical switch only systems, solid-state switch and the splitters and distribution amplifiers introduce some amount of intermodulation distortion (IMD). The Giga-tronics tailored distribution systems take these factors into account, with the IMD measured and specifications validated. Path loss (insertion loss) and phase delay can be specified, measured and tuned, since phase matching is critical for systems that might need to be used in direction finding applications.

Malcolm Levy, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, said "Surveillance System Engineers now have a switching solution specifically designed for multiple antenna system applications. Giga-tronics can tailor switching solutions for RF monitoring stations, DF systems, VLBI systems and transceiver production and field test systems."

Giga-tronics is much more than a test and measurement instrument vendor. Being a manufacturer with decades of experience in signal switching and routing (switch cards and switching solutions from DC to 40 GHz) and microwave components (YIG oscillators, filters and sub-assemblies) as well, it is uniquely positioned to apply a total system perspective to ensure an optimally performing ATE system. Giga-tronics has AS9100 and ISO 9001 certification, meeting stringent aerospace industry quality system requirements. Giga-tronics products are proudly made in the USA.

SOURCE: Giga-tronics Incorporated