A Wide-Band Satellite Microwave Switch Matrix for SS/TDMA Communications

A lightweight, broad-band, 8 × 8 crossbar microwave switch matrix (MSM) has been developed for satellite-switched timedivision multiple-access (SS/TDMA) operation anywhere in the 6 GHz up-link and/or 4 GHz down-link bands. The nearly transparent performance characteristics in the 3.5-6.5 GHz band, for any of the highly flexible interconnect possibilities, have been facilitated by the design of a low-power-consuming resistively matched PIN diode switch. Broad-band push-pull connectors are used to simplify assembly and disassembly of this modular three-dimensional matrix. The switch control electronics (SCE) circuits have been implemented as custom-designed LSI chips for integration within the MSM input distribution networks. Design considerations and performance characteristics of the satellite switch matrix are presented.