Fast, Fully-Redundant, 4 GHz, 8 × 8 Microwave Switch Matrix for Communications Satellites

Abstract

A lightweight, low-power-consuming, MIC, 8 × 8 microwave switch matrix has been developed for communications satellites at the 3.95 GHz center frequency. The broadband, cross-bar configuration has been implemented to provide full interconnect flexibility within the 500 MHz communications band. Push-pull connectors which were configured to contain the PIN-diode switches are used to provide a coaxial RF interface between the eight-input and eight-output-distribution (MIC) networks and to ease the assembly/disassembly of this three-dimensional MSM. Four 8 × 8 MSM assemblies were fabricated and integrated together via interdigitated Lange hybrids and SPDT electromechanical switches to significantly enhance functional reliability by providing input and output-path redundancy.