From Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

Solid state switches are ubiquitous
in modern RF/microwave systems.
They are utilized to control signal
flows, select signal sources and for many
other applications. These switches are
implemented either with positive-intrinsicnegative
(PIN) diodes or with field effect
transistors (FETs) such as pseudomorphic
high electron mobility transistors
(pHEMTs), each of which offers relative
advantages and disadvantages. Part 1 of
this article includes an overview of RF/
microwave switches, theory of operation
for PIN diodes and some representative
PIN diode switch circuits. In Part 2 we
will discuss more PIN diode switch configurations,
the theory of operation for
FETs, some representative RF/microwave
FET switch topologies, the relative advantages
of PIN and FET switches and some
criteria by which one of these technologies
may be selected over the other for switch
applications.

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Products & Services
RF Upconverters and RF Downconverters
RF upconverters and RF downconverters are integrated assemblies that convert microwave signals to another frequency range for further processing. Generally, they are designed to produce an output signal frequency for a particular frequency band.
RF Frequency Converters
RF frequency converters are integrated component assemblies required for converting microwave signals to lower (or intermediate) or higher frequency range for further processing.  
RF Filters and Microwave Filters
RF filters and microwave filters are devices that pass or reject signals by frequency. Basic types include bandpass filters, band reject filters, low pass filters, and high pass filters.
RF Band Pass Filters
RF band pass filters are active or passive circuits that pass signals from a specific frequency band and reject signals from out-of-band frequencies. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters, crystal filters, and cavity filters are types of band pass filters.

Product Announcements
Pasternack Enterprises, Inc. - Pasternack Introduces High Frequency RF Switches
High Frequency PIN Diode Switches Up to 40 GHz New from Pasternack... (read more)
Linear Integrated Systems, Inc. - High Speed (2ns), SMT, Quad, DMOS FET Switch
SD5400CY & SD5401CY : N-channel Enhancement Mode, Monolithic Quad, Surface Mount, Lateral DMOS Switch. Ideal for High Speed (2nS), Low Capacitance (0.5pf) Analog Switching Applications seeking... (read more)
Linear Integrated Systems, Inc. - SD5400CY
SD5400CY & SD5401CY : N-channel Enhancement Mode, Monolithic Quad, Surface Mount, Lateral DMOS Switch. Ideal for High Speed (2nS), Low Capacitance (0.5pf) Analog Switching Applications seeking... (read more)
Linear Integrated Systems, Inc. - High Speed (2ns), Single, DMOS FET Switch
SST210/SD210DE, SST211/SD211DE, SST213/SD213/DE, SST214/SD214DE, SST215/SD215DE : N-channel Enhancement Mode, Single, Lateral DMOS Switch. Ideal for High Speed (2nS), Low Capacitance (0.5pf) Analog... (read more)
PHD, Inc. - Solid state inductive sensing technology
High reliability, ease of mounting, and suitable for plant environments that are conductive to creating difficulties for electromechanical and other types of switches. (read more)
 

Topics of Interest

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