High-speed, 100+W RF switches using GaAs MMICs

Abstract

A low-loss, inductive gate bias network structure which allows a very high stacking level of FET devices for high-power RF switching applications is reported. The design, implementation, and performance of S- and C-band SPDT switches based on this structure are described. Multiple GaAs MMIC chips integrated into a suspended-substrate hybrid circuit are used. At S-band, switch risetimes/falltimes of less than 40 ns and an RF power handling capability of 300 W CW have been demonstrated. This input signal level could be maintained during the switch state transitions (hot-switching), while being switched between the two output ports at rates of up to 500 kHz.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>