GX Series -- Group Switches

The GX Series is used to switch groups of signals in parallel.  Typically anywhere from 4 to 200 wires can be switched as a group and costs are kept low by reducing the number of drives needed.  Group switches can be as simple as four coax modules driven in parallel for LCR meters or as complicated as 200 mixed signals of power, digital logic, communication and RF signals all switched as a group.  GX Switches can be built using a combination of standard Cytec switch modules from any other series, or custom built for your needs with low NRE.

Here is a simple example to illustrate what these are used for.  You have four environmental chambers and you want to record data or take measurements from each 156 wire DUT over a week long period.  Rather than use four sets of expensive test equipment you use a 156 wire group switch to select between the DUT’s and gather the needed information.  The group switch can be combined with a separate switch to select which wires go to what equipment.

The Group Switch may be as simple as a large 156 pin 1×4 mux or may involve separate group switches that handle different types of signals such as one for power, one for logic and one for RF.

GX Systems can be configured for any of the following scenarios in either 1xN multiplexers or NxM matrices. We can provide Driver Chassis to control your relay banks, or complete systems built with our switch modules. Don’t see it? Just ask!

Signal Type
  • Coax, IF, RF
  • Microwave
  • TTL, CMOS Logic
  • Power, AC or DC
  • Serial Data
  • Fiber Optics
  • Video

Test Type

  • Cable test
  • Environmental test
  • Semi Conductor
  • Component Test
  • Burn-in
  • Mixed Signal
Communication Apps
  • Failsafe Switches
  • Redundancy Switches
  • Fall-over Switches
  • Ethernet, Sat, CATV
  • Data Recorders
  • Comm Links
  • Video

GX Mainframes

GX/16 Front Panel with Manual Control

These Chassis control from 1×2 to 1×16 group switch modules using any modules that may fit into a single chassis.  LEDs on the front panel show switch and power status. Comes with LAN, RS232 and GPIB control standard.  Pushbutton Manual control is optional.  Chassis height is determined by the module type and number of modules installed.

Dimensions:
19″ Rack Mount (483 mm)
15″ deep (381 mm)
3.5″ (2 RU) high (90 mm) to 10.5″ (6 RU) high (270 mm) depending on module arrangement.
Weight: 15 to 40 lbs (7 to 18 Kg) Depending on modules installed.
AC Power : 50 – 150 Watts max. 110/220 selectable.

GX/32-MF Front Panel with MC

These Chassis control from 1×17 to 1×32 group switch modules using any modules that may fit into a single chassis.  LEDs on the front panel show switch and power status. Comes with LAN, RS232 and GPIB control standard.  Pushbutton Manual control is optional.  Chassis height is determined by the module type and number of modules installed.

Dimensions:
19″ Rack Mount (483 mm)
15″ deep (381 mm)
7″ (4 RU) high (90 mm) to 10.5″ (6 RU) high (270 mm) depending on module arrangement.
Weight: 25 to 40 lbs (11.4 to 18 Kg) Depending on modules installed.
AC Power : 100 – 200 Watts max. 110/220 selectable.

GX/16 Front Panel with Manual Control

These are relay driver chassis that control from 1×2 to 1×16 group switch modules in separate chassis.  Usually used to control group switches with more wires than can be placed into a single chassis.  Or used to control group switches such as very high voltage that need to be isolated from control.  GX-E Expansion Chassis of any type may be ordered separately.  LEDs on the front panel show switch and power status. Comes with LAN, RS232 and GPIB control standard.  Pushbutton Manual control is optional.  

Dimensions:
19″ Rack Mount (483 mm)
15″ deep (381 mm)
3.5″ (2 RU) high (90 mm).
Weight: 15 to 20 lbs (7 to 9 Kg) Depending on modules installed.
AC Power : 50 – 250 Watts max. depending on switches driven 110/220 selectable.

GX/32-CU front panel

These Chassis control up to two 8×1 modules, four 4×1 modules or mixtures of 8×1’s, 4×1’s, 2×1’s and 2×2 modules in any combination or configuration. LEDs on the front panel show switch and power status. Add Switch Modules to complete the system. Pushbutton Manual control is optional.

Dimensions:
19″ Rack Mount (483 mm)
15″ deep (381 mm)
3.5″ (2 RU) high (90 mm)
Weight: 15 to 20 lbs (7 to 9 Kg) max
AC Power : 50 Watts max. 110/220 selectable.

These Chassis are used with GX Control Units to provide Group Switching of large groups of signals.  Most applications are semi custom such as the example on the left.  Any number of GX-E Expansion Chassis may be run from a control unit allowing very large group switches to be assembled.

The system shown is just one example of the kind of thing that can be run as a GX-E Expansion Chassis.  Contact us for your specific application and we will quote you a solution.

Dimensions:
19″ Rack Mount (483 mm)
15″ to 25″ deep (application specific)
3.5″ (2 RU) to 10’5″ high (90 mm to 270 mm) application specific.
Weight: 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 Kg) max
AC Power : 50 to 250 Watts max. 110/220 selectable.

GX/16-168-VP 1x8 or 1x16 Group Switch

This is a 1×8 group switch mainframe with the ability to drive a separate 1×8 GX expansion chassis.  Both are shown in the image.  It uses 168 pin Virgina Panel quick connect connectors for ease of cable changes.  Available with LAN, RS232 and GPIB control and optional manual control.

Dimensions:
19″ Rack Mount (483 mm)
20″ deep 
7″ (4 RU) 1×8 MF and 7″ (4 RU) 1×8 _E chassis height.
Weight: 25 lbs (9 to 18 Kg) each chassis. 

AC Power : 250 Watts max. 110/220 selectable.

Contact Cytec to request more information:

585-381-4740

Sales@cytec-ate.com

Custom GX Examples -- Don't see what you need? Call or E-mail us and we can probably build it!

GX/1x4-50-ST
This system has 16 10 amp 1x4 2 pole circuits and 16 50 amp 2 pole 1x4 circuits

Custom Power Group Switch

This Group Switch has 16 1×4 two pole 10 Amp modules and 16 1×4 two pole 50 Amp modules.  It allowed the user to to switch large bundles of power signals between 4 different places to automate testing.  It used pluggable Phoenix Contact screw terminal connectors for ease of wiring and changing of cable groups.  Additional Control and external wiring options allow the end user to reconfigure system as needed or run tests on individual UUT.  LAN, RS232 and Manual Control.  

Reference Model 8225.

16 channel Gigabit Ethernet Failsafe / Redundancy switch

Eight Wire Failsafe / Redundancy Switch w/ RJ45 Connectors

16 eight wire A/B switches allow selecting between any two sources or destinations to a common port.  Typically used for Ethernet LAN networks and works at speeds up to 10GbaseT.  Connectors are pinned out for EIA / TIA 568 pairs for all ethernet and telecom types.  Shown with LAN, RS232 and GPIB control.

Reference RJV Series

75 ohm 16 channel A/B switch

16 Channel Failsafe / Redundancy Switch w/ F connectors.

16 channel A/B switch for 75 ohm signals such as CATV, Cable Modems or satellite dish connections.  Select all 16 at once or control in smaller groups.  Shown with LAN and RS232 control.

Reference CTC Series

156 wire 12 port group switch

12 port 156 wire Group Switch

Allows any group of 156 wires to be connected to any other or all other groups within the 12 ports.  System uses HD78 connectors.  A combination of power and signal relays allows for both high current power and high frequency data signals to be switched with low crosstalk and resistance.

System is shown with LAN, RS232, GPIB and pushbutton Manual Control.    

Reference Model 9245.

Don't see it? Just ask! Call 585.381.4740 or e-mail sales@cytec-ate.com for help!