An 8×8 Switch Matrix MMIC Integrating Eight InP-HEMT SP8T Switches for 10-Gbit/s Systems

An 8times8 switch matrix MMIC using cold-FET SP8T switches is presented. InP HEMTs with a low RonmiddotCoff product enable us to construct a dc-to-over-10-GHz SP8T switch in a series configuration. The multilayer interconnection with top-metal- and dielectric-layer thickness of 5 mum allows us to configure interconnection transmission lines quite compactly, which is essential for wideband operation. The switch matrix IC using these technologies with a novel size-reduction technique is as small as 0.4 mm² (core area) and achieves low insertion loss (<3.9 dB) and high isolation (>26.5 dB) below 10 GHz. We confirmed error-free operation up to 12.5 Gbit/s with good eye openings even when eight data signals are simultaneously input to the switch IC