Performance Evaluation of an Automatic Impedance Synthesizer Based on RF Switches

This paper presents a new design of an automatic impedance synthesizer based on RF switches and its performance. A study about the implementation has been carried out and two prototypes of 50 Omega and 75 Omega of characteristic impedance have been successfully constructed. As switching elements in the tuning network we employ GaAs MMIC RF switches. An evaluation of impedance matching zones in the Smith chart has been carried out using simulations, taking into account both the return losses and the dissipative losses due to the physical implementation of the prototypes. Finally two prototypes of 50 Omega and 75 Omega have been constructed, verifying its correct operation.