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of configurations. This system
was developed for a unique set
of requirements for the network
test application described here,
but the same capabilities can be
readily extended to many other
applications.
Extension 1:
Cascadability
Depending on the number of test
channels needed in a particular test
setup, some users may require the
flexibility to add multiple switch
matrices into their system. To
support this need, Mini-Circuits
test systems have been developed
with SPI interfaces, allowing a user
to cascade multiple units in daisy
chain configuration. All software
commands are issued to the Master
unit (the first unit in the chain),
which controls all subsequent
Slave units in the chain. The GUI
software is extensible to support
multiple cascaded units comprising
hundreds of test channels, allowing
the user to scale his or her setup
while managing all switch paths of
all units through a single, simple
control interface.
Extension 2: High-Speed
Solid State Switching
Consumer demand for ever higher
data capacity is driving extensive
efforts by network operators
to accelerate research and
development toward deployment
of next generation wireless
technologies like Massive MIMO
and 5G. Because of the dense
deployment model for these
technologies, test systems need to
collect very high volumes of data
from many different base stations
at once. Routing test signals in
Figure 2: ZT-20X6NB in 6U height, 10-inch rack-mountable
chassis.
Figure 2: Receiver section of the AD9371: A monolithic direct
conversion receiver
Mini-Circuits has created a shell of
the ZT-20X6NB for this purpose.
Using this shell, the user can include
the ZT-20X6NB into their virtual
lab environment within the cloud
sandbox.
Combined with a powerful
orchestration script to author and
direct a workflow, a complete
environment replica with specific
triggers can be created. Later,
the sandbox environment can be
deployed via portals and API’s to be
accessed by developers within and
outside the company, thus enabling
easier
collaboration,
shorter
development times and lower
overall costs.
The ZT-20X6NB is just one example
of Mini-Circuits’ capabilities to
develop equipment to multiplex
application-specific tests systems
across multiple DUTs and multiple
test stations in a wide variety
28 l New-Tech Magazine Europe