Menlo Microsystems, Inc. is ramping production for its MM5120 single-pole/four-throw (SP4T) DC-to-18 GHz switch and MM5140 DC-to-6 GHz SP4T switch. These two new MEMS RF switches target RF switching applications, 5G network infrastructure, and test and measurement equipment.
Based on the company’s Ideal Switch technology, the MM5120 and MM5140 SP4T switches offer 25-W power handling and ultra-low insertion loss, and claim the industry’s highest linearity, which outperforms electromechanical relays (EMRs) and conventional solid-state switches.
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The MM5120 and MM5140 devices offer IP3 linearity of greater than 90 dBm, which significantly reduces distortion. Impacting the quality of transmitted or received signals, distortion is an important spec for applications such as beam-steering antennas in 5G network infrastructure.
In an earlier interview, Jonathan Leitner, senior product marketing manager, at Menlo Micro, said: “. . . most semiconductor switches may be in the range of 45 or 50 dBm, translating into hundreds to thousand times greater linearity than many solid-state switches.”
Evaluation board. Click for a larger image. (Source: Menlo Micro)
A key feature for both the MM5120 and MM5140 is an integrated charge pump and driver circuit with SPI and GPIO interface control options, all housed in a small 5.2 × 4.2-mm LGA package. By integrating the charge pump and driver circuitry, along with the passive components, the devices deliver benefits of bill-of-materials and board-area savings. The devices also can handle the same power requirements of an EMR in the smaller package size.
In addition, the RF switches operate at less than 10 mW, which is a 99 percent reduction in power consumption compared to EMRs, said Menlo Micro, “making them the most energy efficient broadband SP4T switches available.”
In terms of reliability, the SP4T switches can operate with more than three billion switching cycles, translating into a 1000× longer lifetime compared to conventional EMRs, added the company.
Please contact the company for pricing and availability.
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