Scalable HF Antenna Distribution
CommsAudit
CA4034 HF Switch Matrix
CommsAudit
About us
Communications Audit UK Ltd (CommsAudit)
is a UK-based electronics engineering company.
CommsAudit specialises in meeting the needs
of government, defence and national security.
We have over 25 years experience producing
market leading RF technology for critical
missions and applications.
Our Capability
CommsAudit develops and manufactures
technologically advanced products including:
antennas, antenna distribution systems,
receivers, HF-V/UHF collection systems
and signal processing software. CommsAudit
has an extremely capable and agile
engineering team, supported by a rapid
manufacturing and test capability.
Key Products & Technology
• Receivers HF & V/UHF
• Super Resolution Direction Finding
• Antenna Distribution Systems
• Smart Infrastructure Systems
• COMINT & SIGINT Systems
• ITAR Free
CommsAudit.com
+44 (0) 1242 253131
PO Box 78, Cheltenham, GL52 6ZU
© Communications Audit UK Ltd 2013
All rights reserved.
CA4034 HF Switch Matrix
CommsAudit.com
KEY FEATURES
World Leading RF Performance
• Receivers HF & V/UHF
• Super Resolution Direction Finding
• Antenna Distribution Systems
• Smart Infrastructure Systems
• COMINT & SIGINT Systems
• ITAR Free
+44 (0) 1242 253131
PO Box 78, Cheltenham, GL52 6ZU
© Communications Audit UK Ltd 2013
All rights reserved.
CommsAudit.com
Key Products & Technology
Local or Remote Control
CommsAudit develops and manufactures
technologically advanced products including:
antennas, antenna distribution systems,
receivers, HF-V/UHF collection systems
and signal processing software. CommsAudit
has an extremely capable and agile
engineering team, supported by a rapid
manufacturing and test capability.
Hot Swap Architecture
Non-Intrusive BITE
Linux Control For Reliability
OVERVIEW
Designed for long-term installations at fixed-site HF radio stations, the CA4034 is the latest
generation HF Switch Matrix. The CA4034 is a configurable antenna distribution system
capable of supporting up to 48 antennas and 48 receivers, with further expansion also possible.
CommsAudit manufacture and install CA4034 HF Switch Matrix systems for communications
and advanced radio monitoring requirements.
DESCRIPTION
The CA4034 Switch Matrix is based upon multiple hot-swap modules allowing easy configuration
and superior supportability.
The RF performance of the CA4034 HF Switch Matrix is the best of any commercially available
HF switch matrix. The distributed gain and solid-state switching elements ensure optimal signal
routing without degradation. The system architecture is full-fan-out non-blocking, allowing any
receiver to select any antenna, under all configurations.
Our Capability
Communications Audit UK Ltd (CommsAudit)
is a UK-based electronics engineering company.
CommsAudit specialises in meeting the needs
of government, defence and national security.
We have over 25 years experience producing
market leading RF technology for critical
missions and applications.
About us
CommsAudit
RF PERFORMANCE
The performance of the antenna distribution system is crucial to any HF system. CommsAudit’s
HF amplifier and solid state switching technology is first class.
Key Performance Figures:
Noise Figure: 12 dB
Gain: 0 dB
Second Order Intercept Point (IIP2): +90 dBm
Third Order Intercept Point (IIP3): +43 dBm
Output-to-Output Isolation: 50 dB
Highly balanced amplifier and switch elements
provide unbeaten noise figure and second and
third order intercept points. Solid-state switches
deliver switch times of less than 1 ms. Isolation
between outputs is guaranteed under all load
conditions owing to each output having its own
independent buffer amplifier.
SUPPORTABILITY
Long-term installations demand equipment that is easy to support and maintain. The CA4034
HF Switch Matrix is designed with non-intrusive Built in Test (BITE). The BITE facility monitors
system status and health down to individual amplifier level within a module in real-time. BITE
data is available over Ethernet connection to the CA4034 HF Switch Matrix, and can optionally
be displayed in a web browser interface.
All RF modules, fan trays and PSUs are hot-swappable units for easy maintenance. The BITE
software will indicate if a module is in a fault condition, and there are also individual red/green
indicators on each module. CommsAudit offer long-term support through extended warranty,
and full support contracts, with a number of support levels.
INTEGRATION
The system supports local and remote control over copper or fibre Ethernet networks. All control
elements utilise Linux for superior reliability. The control of the switch can be integrated into
existing systems for automatic operation. Full Interface Control Documentation (ICD) is provided.
All system inputs and outputs are provided on a patch panel at the rear of the rack utilising
N-Type connectors.
CA4034 HF Switch Matrix
Scalable HF Antenna Distribution
CommsAudit
CA4034 HF Switch Matrix
CommsAudit.com
SYSTEM FEATURES
Dynamic Power Management
Built In Test
Hot-swap
Dual Redundant Architecture
The CA4034 HF Switch Matrix has dynamic power
management to minimize power consumption through
automatic software control. The system consumes up
to 40% less power over previous systems; significantly
reducing cost of ownership.
All RF modules have extensive real-time Built In Test (BITE).
The status of the RF modules is constantly monitored by
non-intrusive measurement circuitry. Remote monitoring
is enabled over an Ethernet network connection. Historical
trend analysis of BITE data highlights service requirements
ahead of failure, enhancing long-term reliability.
All RF modules are hot-swappable. The simple, plug-in
modular architecture facilitates easy maintenance.
For critical infrastructure requirements, the CA4034
HF Switch Matrix can be installed with dual redundant
system architecture.
BITE software reports the status of individual modules and
a software-enabled ‘locate’ function helps technicians to
rapidly find specific modules in the system.
Duplicate control and power supply elements maximise
availability.
COMPONENTS OVERVIEW
CA0030-2 FAN TRAY
The CA0030-2 Fan Tray
is hot-swappable for easy
maintenance. Integral dust
filters ensure electronics
and heatsinks are kept
free of dust. All fans in the
system are monitored with
real-time BITE.
CA6218 OUTPUT MODULE
The CA6218 module is the last module in the RF path.
Output Buffer Amplifier
Each output has an independent buffer amplifier to
guarantee output-to-output isolation even under adverse
load conditions. The output-to-output isolation for the
CA4034 HF Switch Matrix is better than 50 dB, even
under extreme load mismatch conditions.
CA6216 SWITCH MODULE
The CA6216 module is the intermediate RF module in the system.
CA0030-3 FAN TRAY
The CA0030-3 Fan tray is
a high-efficiency fan tray.
It is hot-swappable for easy
maintenance. Integral dust
filters ensure electronics and
heatsinks are kept free of
dust. All fans in the system
are monitored with
real-time BITE.
Solid-State Switching
The switch module is an 8 x 8 non-blocking switching unit that
utilises high linearity solid-state switches.
High Isolation Splitters
Highly balanced signal splitting networks are implemented
to provide high isolation between adjacent signal paths.
CA6215 INPUT MODULE
RRS124 PSU MODULE
The CA6215 module is the primary RF module in the system.
The CA4034 system is
powered using multiple
RRS124 PSU modules from
UNIPOWER. The RRS124
modules are utilised in a
triple-redundant configuration
for maximum reliability. All
PSU modules are monitored
with real-time BITE.
Ultra Linear Amplifiers
The RRS124 PSU modules are
installed in the CA703600-24-1
rack PSU.
There is one input module per antenna input. The input module
utilises high linearity amplifiers with a distributed gain topology.
The design focus is to utilise amplifiers with sufficient gain to
overcome the insertion loss of the next element.
Customisable Input Filter
The input filter is customisable. A customisable high pass filter
at the front end of the switch matrix enhances overall system
performance by rejecting unwanted, out-of-band signals.
Scalable HF Antenna Distribution
CommsAudit
CA4034 HF Switch Matrix
CommsAudit
About us
Communications Audit UK Ltd (CommsAudit)
is a UK-based electronics engineering company.
CommsAudit specialises in meeting the needs
of government, defence and national security.
We have over 25 years experience producing
market leading RF technology for critical
missions and applications.
Our Capability
CommsAudit develops and manufactures
technologically advanced products including:
antennas, antenna distribution systems,
receivers, HF-V/UHF collection systems
and signal processing software. CommsAudit
has an extremely capable and agile
engineering team, supported by a rapid
manufacturing and test capability.
Key Products & Technology
• Receivers HF & V/UHF
• Super Resolution Direction Finding
• Antenna Distribution Systems
• Smart Infrastructure Systems
• COMINT & SIGINT Systems
• ITAR Free
CommsAudit.com
+44 (0) 1242 253131
PO Box 78, Cheltenham, GL52 6ZU
© Communications Audit UK Ltd 2013
All rights reserved.