Design of a Low-Cost High-Isolation RF Switch for X-Band Active Phased Array T/R Modules
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摘要: 针对低成本PIN二极管在X波段因寄生参数、接地通孔寄生效应导致开关隔离度降低与插入损耗增加的问题,该文提出一种基于寄生参数补偿的X波段低成本高隔离度并联型射频开关电路设计方法。所提方法通过引入补偿短截线与T型结等效结构电容,分别抵消不同工作状态下的寄生电抗,解决了低成本器件的高频性能恶化问题。实测结果表明,该射频开关电路在9.5~10.4 GHz频段内回波损耗优于10 dB,隔离度高于20 dB,插入损耗低于2 dB。该设计具有结构简单、易于集成、成本较低等优势,验证了低成本二极管用于X波段高隔离度T/R组件射频开关的可行性。
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关键词:
- 有源相控阵 /
- T/R组件 /
- 高隔离度射频开关电路 /
- 寄生参数补偿
Abstract:Objective Radio frequency (RF) switches are key front-end components in communication and radar systems, especially in active phased array transmit/receive (T/R) modules. Positive-intrinsic-negative (PIN) diodes are widely used in high-power microwave switches because of their high power-handling capability, good linearity, and mature fabrication process. However, low-cost plastic-packaged PIN diodes exhibit significant parasitic effects at X-band frequencies. Junction capacitance, package inductance, and grounding-via inductance cause shunt branches to deviate from ideal short- or open-circuit conditions, resulting in degraded isolation and increased insertion loss. To address this problem, a low-cost high-isolation X-band single-pole double-throw (SPDT) RF switch design method based on parasitic-parameter compensation is proposed. Methods A step-wise synergistic matching strategy, termed “OFF-state prioritized determination and ON-state structural compensation”, is developed. OFF-state isolation and ON-state transmission conditions are treated separately to reduce coupling between isolation and transmission objectives. For the isolation branch, OFF-state diode parasitic parameters, a compensation stub, and grounding-via inductance are combined to form a series-resonant network. By compensating parasitic reactance, the branch satisfies the required impedance condition and suppresses signal leakage. After the compensation-stub parameters are determined, ON-state compensation is realized by introducing equivalent structural capacitance through T-junction edge effects and a stepped-impedance main line. This capacitance, together with the total equivalent inductance of the shunt branch, forms a parallel-resonant network, making the branch approach an open-circuit condition at the operating frequency. Thus, signal shunting is reduced and low-insertion-loss transmission is achieved without additional lumped compensation components. Results and Discussions The proposed switch topology is presented, and a full-wave simulation model is established ( Fig. 3 ,Fig. 4(a) ). Simulation results show that return loss is better than 20 dB, isolation is higher than 20 dB, and insertion loss remains around 0.2 dB over 8.57–9.34 GHz (Fig. 4(b) ). A prototype is fabricated and measured (Fig. 5 ). Measurement results show that, over 9.5–10.4 GHz, return loss is better than 10 dB, insertion loss is lower than 2 dB, and isolation is higher than 20 dB (Fig. 6 ). Although the measured operating band shifts upward by about 1 GHz relative to initial simulation results, measured trends remain consistent with theoretical analysis. To explain this frequency shift, OFF-state junction capacitance and ON-state parasitic inductance are further analyzed. As OFF-state junction capacitance decreases from 0.24 pF to 0.195 pF, the high-isolation band shifts to higher frequencies (Fig. 7 (a)). With OFF-state capacitance fixed at 0.195 pF, reducing ON-state parasitic inductance from 0.7 nH to 0.2 nH shifts the return-loss response to higher frequencies (Fig. 7(b) ). After parameter correction, simulated return loss, insertion loss, and isolation agree more closely with measured results (Fig. 6 ). Compared with existing SPDT RF switch designs, the proposed design uses low-cost plastic-packaged PIN diodes and a simple microstrip compensation structure, requires no additional lumped compensation components, reduces dependence on the high intrinsic OFF-state impedance of PIN diodes, and achieves a good balance between cost and high-frequency switch performance (Table 1 ).Conclusions A low-cost high-isolation X-band SPDT RF switch based on parasitic-parameter compensation is presented. By using OFF-state series resonance and ON-state structural capacitance compensation, high isolation and low insertion loss are realized simultaneously. The fabricated switch achieves isolation higher than 20 dB and insertion loss lower than 2 dB over 9.5-10.4 GHz. The switch features a simple structure, ease of integration, and low cost, and provides a practical reference for low-cost high-isolation T/R module RF switches in active phased array systems. -
表 1 本文工作与现有SPDT射频开关方案的性能对比
文献 器件与技术路线 工作频率(GHz) 插入损耗(dB) 回波损耗(dB) 隔离度(dB) 成本 高阻抗依赖 [9] GaAs pHEMT晶体管+
电容加载堆叠FET结构DC–40 <3 >11 >39 高 未涉及 [10] 塑封PIN二极管+
集总RLC补偿与匹配网络1.02–3.36 <0.81 >20 >27 中 是 [11] GaAs PIN二极管+
多管串联结构37.7–61 <1.5 >10 >24.6 高 是 [12] CMOS晶体管+
差分结构与泄漏抵消电容24–40 <1.6 >10 >30 高 未涉及 本文 塑封PIN二极管+
微带结构补偿9.5–10.4 <2 >10 >20 低 否 -
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