RF Switch engineered for high-power applications

Menlo Microsystems, Inc. has released to production the MM5230, the company’s latest offering in a growing portfolio of small form-factor, ultra-high performance RF switches.

The switch is engineered for high-power applications, supporting up to 25W continuous and 150W pulsed power. At the same time, its compact 2.5mm x 2.5mm size means that the device can fit easily into a wide range of systems without taking up valuable board space. The switch operates seamlessly from DC to 18GHz, and with its versatile Super-Port mode, extends to 26GHz, making it an excellent solution for a wide variety of end applications. The advanced contact design and materials inherent in the Ideal Switch technology typically allow over 50 billion switching cycles, making it an ideal solution for systems that need to operate without fail, day in and day out.

“The release of the MM5230 is our 8th production product release and a key milestone for Menlo Micro,” said Chris Giovanniello, co-founder and senior vice president of the RF Business Unit at Menlo Micro. “Built on the fantastic success of our MM5130, the new MM5230 was conceived not only for ultra-high RF performance but around enhanced design-for-manufacturability and assembly metrics in collaboration with our lead customers. Whether it’s helping to advance state-of-the-art military communication systems or enabling unprecedented levels of parallel testing for our test and measurement customers, the MM5230 represents the future. It’s all about combining high performance, high density, and high reliability in an incredibly versatile product. It’s about transforming and enabling the performance of systems that affect our everyday lives.”

The switch offers a range of benefits, including:

Ultra-Low Insertion Loss: With an on-state insertion loss of just 0.3dB at 6 GHz, the switch minimises signal degradation, ensuring almost no loss in signal quality and making it ideal for maintaining high performance in sensitive systems, low-loss switch matrices, switched filter banks, and tunable filters.

Enhanced Linearity: With a typical IIP3 of 95dBm, the switch provides high linearity, keeping signals clear and undistorted, thus ensuring smooth communication or data transfer.

Super-Port Mode for Extended Bandwidth: The switch’s Super-Port mode extends its frequency range from 18GHz to 26GHz. In this mode, the switch provides improved RF isolation and better return loss, which results in even higher-quality performance, especially when cascading switches.

This solution is a perfect fit for several high-demand industries, including:

• Defence and Aerospace: The switch is ideal for radar systems, secure communications, and other mission-critical applications where performance and reliability are non-negotiable.
• Test and Measurement: In the world of testing, performance and size matter. The MM5230 helps engineers measure with precision, while drastically increasing parallel test capabilities.
• Medical Equipment: Medical imaging systems or RF-based tools rely on precise, high-performance switches to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Wireless Infrastructure: With the rise of 5G and future networks, high-power RF components like MM5230 are essential for keeping signals strong and interference-free.