Hi, I would like some information about contact life of the keythley S46 RF switches on hot switching conditions (switch changes states while a signal is still being applied to the switch ). Is there any app note/document you could share with those details? Thanks in advance.

Hello,
See the below datasheets for more information. Unterminated and terminated are provided.

Unterminated: https://www.tek.com/en/datasheet/system-46-r-f-microwave-switch-system-data-sheet
Terminated: https://www.tek.com/en/datasheet/system-46t-rf-microwave-switch-system32-channel-te
 

Hi, thx for the datasheet links. I actually had reviewed them before and it's still unclear to me if the spec of life cycle is taken under hot(switch changes states while a signal is still being applied to the switch)  switching or cold (no signal is applied to the switch while the switch is changing states) switching conditions. Do you have characterization data under those conditions? We are trying to find out if switching a "live"  signal (and what range of amplitudes of signals) would affect the reliability of the RF switches over time so that we can take the appropriate actions when using these (very expensive) switch boxes and avoid damage to the RF switches. Thanks!

That sort of performance info would be specified by the OEM of the relay that is mounted into the S46 chassis.

Assuming Radiall relay types, their document here may be of help:
Radiall RF Relay Info

On pg 14 of that document they give their recommendation about hot switching (don't).
The estimated amount of degradation in the relay life/number of operations is a function of the average power of the signal.

On pg. 9 of that document they give the Average Power Rating vs. Operating Frequency.