News: Microelectronics
10 January 2025
Teledyne HiRel releases high-power 30MHz–5GHz RF GaN switch
Teledyne HiRel Semiconductors of Milpitas, CA, USA (part of the Teledyne Defense Electronics Group that provides solutions, sub-systems and components to the space, transportation, defense and industrial markets) has announced the availability of its model TDSW84230EP gallium nitride (GaN) high-power RF switch. Optimized for aerospace & defense applications, it offers high peak power and is designed to replace positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) diode-based RF switches commonly used in RF front ends of tactical and military communication radio systems.
Developed using a wide-bandgap GaN high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) process, the switch offers a very high breakdown voltage and high saturation current capabilities and is available in a 16-pin quad-flat no-lead (QFN) 3mm x 3mm x 0.8mm plastic surface-mount package and qualified to a military temperature range of –55⁰C to 125⁰C.
The TDSW84230EP single-pole double-throw (SPDT) GaN reflective switch leverages monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) design techniques and supports a high 20W CW power handling, operating from 30MHz to 5GHz. It has a low 0.2dB insertion loss and a high 45dB port isolation offering significant efficiency and board area savings compared with PIN diode architectures, the firm says.
“To meet the multiple wideband continuous operation demand in today’s military and defense software-defined radio architectures, this high-power GaN switch delivers an ideal solution for replacing traditional PIN diode switches, tolerating up to 900mA/mm saturation currents and high-voltage RF-power handling capabilities,” says Mont Taylor, VP & business development manager. “The inherent high breakdown voltage and carrier density of GaN technology enable higher operating power capabilities while delivering high linearity to better support harmonic and spurious signal requirements associated with traditional PIN diode switches.”
The TDSW84230EP devices are available for order and shipment now, from Teledyne HiRel Semiconductors or an authorized distributor, in commercial versions.
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