Signal Routing
There are two types of switches typically used in switch matrices: Coaxial Electromechanical Switches and Solid State Switches, also known as electronic switches. Coaxial electromechanical switches can be further divided into two categories based on their architecture, latching relay and non-latching relay.
Solid state switches come in three types: PIN diode, FET, and hybrid. The advantages of solid state switches over EM switches are:
- They have much faster switching speed (at least 10,000 times faster)
- They have an almost infinite life
- They are very stable and repeatable
On the other hand, since solid state switches have non-linear portions over their frequency range their bandwidth is limited.
An electronic switch (EM) provides better:
- insertion loss
- VSWR
- power handling
- isolation specifications.
For these reasons EM switches are used much more often in switch matrix designs.
Read more about this topic: RF Switch Matrix
Famous quotes containing the word signal:
“The experience of a sense of guilt for wrong-doing is necessary for the development of self-control. The guilt feelings will later serve as a warning signal which the child can produce himself when an impulse to repeat the naughty act comes over him. When the child can produce his on warning signals, independent of the actual presence of the adult, he is on the way to developing a conscience.”
—Selma H. Fraiberg (20th century)