What are RF Switches?
An RF Switch is a device that is used to route high frequency signals through one or more signal paths. Switches are available in a various of configurations that specify the number of input and output signal paths. They are used in almost every RF and Microwave system from mobile devices to test and measurement equipment.
Selecting RF Switches
When selecting an RF switch it is important to know the parameters that you need to specify. We have listed some key parameters that you must specify when looking for an RF Switch:
Type: There are a few types of switches – Solid State Switches, Pin-Diode Switches, Electro-Mechanical Switches and USB Controlled Switches.
Configuration: This is the parameter that specifies the number of input and output paths the switch will regulate. Some examples of switch configurations are Single Pole Double Throw (SPDT or SP2T) which means there is one input and two available output signal paths. The number of “Throws” can be 3, 4, 5, 6…n – which is the number of output paths that the signal can be routed to. If the configuration is Double Pole N Throw – This means that there are two input routing paths and n number of output paths.
Termination: This signifies the way in which the switch paths are terminated when they are not active. They can be absorptive or reflective. Learn more.
Insertion Loss: The signal loss from the input to the output of the switch after routing is called insertion loss.
Isolation: The isolation is a measure of how much of the input signal gets to one of the non-active signal paths in a switch.
Power: This is the power level that the switch can handle while maintaining its electrical characteristics.
Switching Time: This represents the speed at which the desired signal path can be reached. Click here to learn more.
Interface: This is the control interface that controls the switching of paths. It can be TTL, Voltage Controlled or Computer Controlled.
Click here to read a detailed article on RF Switch Selection.
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