A 19 GHz High Power Low Loss Latching Switch for Space Applications

This development effort was undertaken to provide a rugged high performance satellite switch for the downlink transmitter of the next generation 20/30 GHz satellite systems. Emphasis was on high power handling capability, low loss and good bandwidth. No switch existed at K-Band with even one of these attributes. The switch described in this paper satisfies all of these objectives: a maximum insertion loss of 0.25 dB is achieved over a band-width of 1.4 GHz centered at 19 GHz and a capability to switch 100 watts CW power. Environmental tests (temperature, shock and vibration) had no measurable effects on performance.