Multiple-input switch design
A switch designs having very low insertion loss, in which the insertion loss remains the same regardless of the number of inputs. A plurality of inputs are structured for receiving electromagnetic radiation signal having a wavelength λ. A plurality of switches, e.g., PIN diode switches, are coupled to a respective input. A main conductor is coupled to an output. A plurality of leg conductors are coupled at one end to the main conductor and at other end to a respective switch from the plurality of switches, wherein each of the leg conductors has a length substantially equal to nλ/2, wherein n is a whole natural number.
1. A switch arrangement for electromagnetic radiation applications, comprising:
a plurality of inputs, each structured for receiving electromagnetic radiation signal having a wavelength λ;
a plurality of switches, each coupled to a respective input from the plurality of inputs;
a main conductor coupled to an output lead;
a plurality of leg conductors, each coupled at one end to the main conductor and at its other end to a respective switch from the plurality of switches, each of the leg conductors having a length substantially equal to nλ/2, wherein n is a whole natural number.
2. The switch arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the central conductor comprises a linear conductor, and wherein the plurality of leg conductors are connected to the linear conductor at intervals equaling mλ/2, wherein m is a whole natural number.
3. The switch arrangement of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of switches comprises a PIN diode switch.
4. The switch arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the main conductor and each of the leg conductors comprise one of microstrip or stripline.
5. The switch arrangement of claim 1 , wherein the main conductor comprises a circular conductor.
6. The switch arrangement of claim 5 , wherein the output lead is coupled to the center of the circular conductor.
7. The switch arrangement of claim 6 , wherein the circular conductor comprises a capacitor plate.
8. A switch arrangement for electromagnetic radiation applications, comprising:
a plurality of inputs, each structured for receiving electromagnetic radiation signal having a wavelength λ;
an insulative substrate;
a main conductive trace formed on the insulative substrate and coupled to an output lead;
a plurality of switches affixed to the insulative substrate, each coupled to a respective input from the plurality of inputs;
a plurality of conductive leg traces formed on the insulative substrate, each coupled at one end to the main conductive trace and at its other end to a respective switch from the plurality of switches, each of the leg traces having a length substantially equal to nλ/2, wherein n is a whole natural number.
9. The switch arrangement of claim 8 , wherein the main conductive trace comprises a linear trace, and wherein the plurality of leg traces are connected to the linear trace at intervals equaling mλ/2, wherein m is a whole natural number.
10. The switch arrangement of claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of switches comprises a PIN diode switch.
11. The switch arrangement of claim 8 , wherein the main conductive trace comprises a circular conductive patch.
12. The switch arrangement of claim 11 , wherein the output lead is coupled to the center of the circular conductive patch.
13. The switch arrangement of claim 12 , wherein the circular conductive patch comprises a capacitor plate.
14. A method for fabricating a switch arrangement for electromagnetic radiation applications, comprising:
determining a wavelength λ of the electromagnetic radiation;
providing an insulative substrate;
forming a main conductive trace on the insulative substrate;
coupling an output terminal to the main conductive trace;
affixing a plurality of switches to the insulative substrate;
coupling a plurality of input terminals, one to each respective switch from the plurality of switches;
forming a plurality of conductive leg traces on the insulative substrate, and coupling each at one end to the main conductive trace and at its other end to a respective switch from the plurality of switches, wherein each of the leg traces is formed to have a length substantially equal to nλ/2, wherein n is a whole natural number.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein forming the main conductive trace comprises forming a linear trace and connecting the plurality of leg traces to the linear trace at intervals equaling mλ/2, wherein m is a whole natural number.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein forming the main conductive trace comprises forming a circular patch.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising connecting an output lead to the center of the circular patch.
18. A method for operating a plurality of radiation sources for steering a radiation beam from a receiver, comprising:
activating a switch to couple a first radiation sources to the receiver and decoupled all other radiation sources from the receiver, and receiving radiation solely from the first radiation source;
activating the switch to couple a second radiation source to the transceiver without decoupling the first radiation source from, the transceiver, and receiving radiation from the first and second radiation sources in additive mode;
decoupling the first radiation source from the receiver, and receiving radiation solely from the second radiation source.