Magvention MC5 DPDT Transfer Switch DC-40 GHz - available at bq-microwave
The Magvention MC5 is an electromechanical DPDT transfer switch covering a continuous frequency range from DC to 40 GHz. The series is available in two connector variants: MC5-S with SMA Female connectors and MC5-K with K connectors (2.92 mm Female). Both variants combine low insertion loss, high isolation, and a life of 3 million switching cycles - engineered for demanding test and measurement systems, ATE, satcom redundancy, and RF front-ends up to the Ka-band.
What sets the Magvention MC5 apart
DPDT transfer switches simultaneously route two RF paths in a crossover configuration - for example between transmitter / receiver and antenna / load. The MC5 employs an electromechanical reed actuator with gold-plated contacts and break-before-make sequence, delivering high repeatability and excellent isolation up to 40 GHz. The series is available as Failsafe, Latching Self-Cutoff, or Pulse Latching - with optional TTL logic, coil suppression, and position indicators.
Frequency-dependent RF performance
- DC - 6 GHz: 0.20 dB insertion loss max, 80 dB isolation min, VSWR 1.20 max
- 6 - 12 GHz: 0.25 dB insertion loss max, 70 dB isolation min, VSWR 1.30 max
- 12 - 18 GHz: 0.40 dB insertion loss max, 60 dB isolation min, VSWR 1.35 max
- 18 - 26.5 GHz: 0.90 dB insertion loss max, 55 dB isolation min, VSWR 1.70 max
- 26.5 - 40 GHz: 1.30 dB insertion loss max, 50 dB isolation min, VSWR 2.00 max
Key specifications
- Configuration: DPDT (Transfer Switch)
- Frequency range: DC - 40 GHz
- Connectors: 4x SMA Female (MC5-S) or 4x K / 2.92 mm Female (MC5-K)
- Switching sequence: Break before Make
- Switching time: 15 ms max
- Impedance: 50 Ohm
- Contact material: Plated Au (gold-plated)
- Life: 3,000,000 switching cycles
- Supply voltage: 12 / 18 / 24 / 28 VDC
- Supply current (Failsafe): 380 / 280 / 200 / 180 mA
- Operating temperature: -25 to +65 °C (standard) / -55 to +85 °C ("e" option)
- Vibration: 10 G RMS, 20 - 2000 Hz
- Mechanical shock: 50 G, 1/2 sine, 11 ms
- Weight: 120 g
- Control connector: 9-Pin D-Sub male
Actuator and option variants
The MC5 is available in three actuator variants: Failsafe automatically returns to the rest position when the coil is de-energized - ideal for safety-critical applications. Latching Self-Cutoff mechanically locks the switch position after actuation and self-disconnects the coil to minimize power consumption. Pulse Latching is operated via short control pulses and retains the switch position after power-down. Options include TTL logic (5 V control), coil suppression (protection against inductive spikes), and position indicators (60 V withstand, 100 mA, 16 Ohm ON-resistance).
Typical applications
- Automated Test Equipment (ATE) - Tx/Rx path switching in VNA and production test systems up to 40 GHz
- Satellite communication - working/standby redundancy and antenna switching in Ku- and Ka-band
- 5G mmWave test - front-end characterization and path switching in the Ka-band
- Radar systems - antenna sharing between pulsed Tx and receiver chain
- Defense and aerospace - rugged mechanical specification for portable and embedded RF systems
- Research and development - flexible configuration switching in multi-path setups
The Magvention MC5 series at a glance
Magvention offers the MC5 series as a complete DPDT transfer switch family covering DC to 40 GHz, manufactured under ISO 9001 / 14001 certification. The connector choice between SMA Female (MC5-S) for applications up to approximately 26 GHz and K / 2.92 mm Female (MC5-K) for full 40 GHz performance enables a precise specification for any application. Custom builds to customer specification - for example with extended temperature range or custom control logic - are available on request.
Availability at bq-microwave
The Magvention MC5-S (SMA) and MC5-K (2.92 mm) as well as all actuator and option variants are available through bq-microwave. We are happy to advise you on the right connector and actuator choice for your application. Contact us for quotations, lead times, and technical datasheets.