Ka band high power AlGaAs PIN diode switches

In this paper we present the design and performance of millimeter wave MMIC switches in the patented MA-COM AlGaAs heterojunction PIN Diode process that allow us to produce high power and low insertion loss devices. The design process from a reflective SPDT switch to a non-reflective version of the switch, with intense use of HFSS and ADS software, is presented. These switches were designed to meet demanding requirements: low insertion loss less than 0.8 dB, 40 dBm peak power and 37 dBm CW power, and 30 dB isolation.