SP48T module architecture and RF-MEMS multi-throw switches for a multi-beam antenna measurement set-up at K- and Ka-Band

摘要

This paper describes the architecture of an SP48T switching module and its key building blocks to be used in an microwave measurement set-up for multi-spot beam antennas. The switching module itself consists of two RF-MEMS based multi-throw switches, since they outperform their electronic counterparts in terms of insertion losses at the targeted frequency of operation from 18-40GHz. The RF-MEMS SP8T switch and the more complex SP6T switch, with on-chip 50Ω-terminations for the output ports, were fabricated in a very low-complexity technology and show insertion losses of less than -2.3dB for all ports with corresponding isolations between the input and various output ports of more than -24dB over the whole frequency range.