100 watt HMIC asymmetric PIN diode switch

Miniaturization, speed, high linearity, and high power are the requirements imposed on high frequency integrated circuits by the latest system requirements. The results of intensive EM HFSS and thermal analysis have determined that the anode shape of a PIN diode used in an SPDT switch is critical in achieving higher RF power handling performance at 2 GHz, a frequency where the diode dimensions are a small fraction of a wavelength. It has been demonstrated that utilizing a long and curved anode can significantly increase power handling without sacrificing size and performance. The results of this analysis were used to develop a 100W CW, 2GHz single pole double throw asymmetric MMIC switch with a die size of 1.55mm² using Heterolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (HMIC) M/A-COM patented technology.