A COTS approach to custom RF requirements using LXI class a technology

Implementing commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) instrumentation in test system designs can reduce non-recurring engineering costs and time to production by providing a reusable infrastructure that is usually based on industry standards. Custom designs, on the other hand, can be driven into premature obsolescence, often lacking adequate documentation required for sustaining engineering efforts. The high frequency signal components resident in RF/Microwave subsystem designs often prohibit the use of more generic COTS-based solutions that are developed to address a broader range of applications, thus driving the need for a custom solution. This paper will discuss an innovative approach to RF interface unit development that leverages COTS hardware based on the LXI Class A standard. It will demonstrate how an integrated Web-based design wizard has been used to simplify the build process, resulting in significant time and cost savings from concept through production.