Silicon switches offer low insertion-loss in compact land grid array package

Analog Devices has released its 44GHz SPDT switches, the ADRF5024 and ADRF5025 in advanced SOI technology. The two new switches are broadband, with the ADRF5024 yielding flat frequency response from 100MHz to 44GHz, while the ADRF5025 from 9kHz to 44GHz, with repeatable characteristics better than 1.7dB insertion loss and 35dB channel to channel isolation. Both parts support 27dBm power handling for both through and hot-switching conditions. The new switches are supplied in a compact, highly reliable, 2.25mm x 2.25mm SMT compatible package, displaying electrical performance ahead of incumbent solutions. This benefits RF and microwave design experts, saving bias power, removing peripheral components and realising higher integration in systems such as portable instrumentation, phased arrays, high-resolution body scanners and next-generation millimetre-wave communication infrastructure for emerging 5G and high-constellation satellite networks. The devices use inherent reflective architecture and are characterised for operating temperature range of –40C to 105C. All pins include robust ESD protection. The devices are nominally powered by ±3.3V, drawing low supply current of less than 120µA typical. The devices use standard positive logic control voltages, simplifying the interface design. The devices are perfect alternatives for PIN diode-based counterparts, as no external components are required for bias generation or matching, and signal pins are internally biased at GND reference to eliminate the need for DC blocking capacitors. The ADRF5024 is optimised for fast switching applications with speeds less than 10ns and edge rates at 2ns. Whereas the ADRF5025 is optimised for ultrawideband applications with good low-frequency characteristics down to 9kHz. The other characteristics are the same, so the parts are drop-in alternatives to each other and can be used interchangeably on the same PCB footprint.