Ross Wilkers
A DRS Technologies business unit has developed a new switch matrix technology intended to link electronic signal inputs and outputs.
The signal solutions unit built the SI-9332 module to connect 32 high frequency inputs to 32 outputs through 8 D-subminiature coaxial connectors, DRS said Monday.
Jim Shea, DRS president of signal solutions, said the company designed the switch matrix to support various applications in multiple operating systems.
DRS built the SI-9332’s chassis to be one-tenth the size of other units, weigh 18 pounds less than the other products and uses 130 fewer watts of power, the company says
The switch matrix also aims to prevent input overload for pulse and protect up to 10 watts of constant input power, according to Shea.
Citing an observation from one customer, Shea said integrating SI-9332 into the DRS SI-8728A 8-channel HF tuner could reduce the package size by 90 percent and use up one-fourth power compared to existing systems.
