Configurable High Frequency Coaxial Switch Modular Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high frequency coaxial switches suffer from poor performance at frequencies above 30 GHz due to high mismatch losses, particularly in cascaded assemblies, which requires high precision and accurate positioning of components, making them costly and difficult to manufacture for wide frequency bands.
Innovation Solution
A configurable high frequency coaxial switch design featuring modular components, including a switch housing module and frequency-matching port component modules, that allow operation in a wide frequency band by optimizing RF performance in specific frequency ranges through interchangeable frequency-matching connector modules and adapter modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wide frequency band matching is implemented in prior art coaxial switches, then the switches can operate across all commercial frequency bands, but the performance deteriorates at frequencies above 30 GHz due to high mismatch losses
Solution Approach 1:
The switch assembly is divided into modular components: a base switch unit and interchangeable frequency-matching connector modules. Each connector module is designed with specific geometric features (protrusions, recesses, dielectric elements) optimized for particular frequency ranges. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both wide frequency coverage and high-performance operation at specific frequencies by selecting appropriate connector modules.
2Reliability
If high precision parts and accurate positioning are used to reduce reflection at high frequencies, then the switch performance improves, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring high precision throughout the entire switch assembly, the invention applies precision-critical features locally within the interchangeable connector modules. The frequency-matching connectors incorporate precisely engineered geometric features (protrusions, recesses, dielectric elements) only where needed for RF performance. The base switch unit can be manufactured with standard tolerances, significantly reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining high reflection performance through the precision-optimized connector modules.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cascaded assemblies of multiple switches are used to achieve required switching functions, then the system functionality is achieved, but the overall reflection performance deteriorates by approximately 10·log10 N dB
Solution Approach 1:
The interchangeable frequency-matching connector modules serve multiple functions: they provide frequency-optimized RF performance, enable easy reconfiguration of the cascaded assembly, and maintain consistent impedance matching across multiple switch stages. By using the same connector module design across all ports of cascaded switches, the system achieves better overall reflection performance while maintaining the required switching functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are provided herein for a configurable high frequency coaxial switch. The switch includes a switch housing module that has at least two ports and is adapted for operation in a wide frequency band. The switch also includes at least one frequency-matching port component module that is configured to connect a transmission line to one of the ports of the switch housing module. The at least one frequency-matching port component module is also configured to provide a match to a desired frequency range. In use, the switch housing module together with the at least one frequency-matching port component module allow for operation of the configurable high frequency coaxial switch at the desired frequency range.