Ikalogic Launches Modular 2×16 RF Switch Matrix for Automated Test Environments
The CS8216 is an 8 GHz RF switch matrix that features less than 1 µs switching times and a USB control interface for simplified RF test workflows.
Ikalogic has launched the CS8216, an RF switch matrix intended to streamline signal routing in complex automated test equipment environments. The 2×16 non-blocking matrix configuration allows for flexible routing of RF and microwave signals across multiple test ports, aiming to simplify setup configuration for multi-port devices.
The CS8216 is the initial offering in Ikalogic’s CS8000 modular RF switching platform. It is designed to meet the demands of modern RF test workflows, which often involve multi-port devices such as multiple-input multiple-output radios, IoT modules, and broadband amplifiers. Traditional test setups often rely on manual wiring or bulky, costly switching hardware, which the CS8216 platform aims to replace with a more streamlined and scriptable instrument.
Ikalogic’s newly released CS8216 RF switch matrix is the first product in the company’s new CS8000 modular RF switching family. Image used courtesy of Ikalogic
CS8216 RF Switch Matrix
The CS8216 operates across a wide frequency range, extending from 100 MHz up to 8 GHz. The device achieves fast switching with a command-to-RF transition time of less than 1 µs. This speed is critical for reducing overall test cycle times in high-throughput production environments.
Additionally, the switch matrix provides typical isolation greater than 70 dB, and the device’s insertion loss is approximately -5 dB at 5 GHz. This RF performance data positions the device for applications requiring high fidelity and repeatable signal routing across the sub-8 GHz spectrum, particularly in the rapidly evolving 5G/6G research fields.
The CS8216 can be controlled via Ikalogic’s CS8000 Switchmaster software. Image used courtesy of Ikalogic
Software and Integration
The CS8216 is controlled via a USB interface and designed for integration into automated test scripts. Ikalogic supports this integration by providing open-source software examples in multiple languages, including Python, C++, and Node.js. This emphasis on software-driven control and scriptability enables engineers to execute automated path configurations and ensure repeatable switching cycles, reducing the complexity often associated with multi-port testing. The modular nature of the CS8000 platform is intended to support scalable system growth as test requirements evolve.
Ikalogic has built the CS8216 for RF signal routing in 5G/6G research, production testing, wireless module validation, and other demanding applications. Image used courtesy of Ikalogic
Flexible Signal Routing
Ikalogic has designed the CS8216 RF switch matrix as a tool for modern, automated RF testing. By offering fast, repeatable path configuration and reduced cabling complexity, the device is built to accelerate test workflows for multi-port RF device characterization and validation. The primary applications for the CS8216 include 5G/6G research, production testing, multi-port RF device characterization, and wireless module validation.
