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EverythingRF— December 4, 2025
Many systems require configurable RF filters. The switched filter bank architecture uses multiple predefined filters, such as band-pass, high-pass, or low-pass filters, each with a different frequency range, enabling fast, discrete frequency or band switching in applications such as wideband receivers, software-defined radios (SDRs), and test equipment. Typically, RF switching is provided by MEMS devices, PIN diodes, FETs, or relays.
Though PIN diodes offer fast switching times with high linearity and isolation, they are power hungry and require significant thermal management to dissipate the heat generated and complex biasing circuitry. As a result, PIN diode implementations require many external components and heatsinks, which consume considerable PCB real estate.
FETs also offer fast switching times, but they require a large, complex thermal design to avoid increased losses and degradation. Insertion loss is also higher than that of PIN diodes.
Electromechanical relays (EMRs) are comparatively slow, large, heavy, power-hungry, and have short operating lives. However, they are still widely used across hundreds of applications, including automated test systems and telecommunications equipment. In defense and mission-critical applications, EMRs require bulky, active thermal management—fans, heat pumps, or heatsinks — to withstand harsh operating conditions. Consequently, they are unsuitable for SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) applications.
MEMS technology overcomes the issues associated with other RF switching technologies. It offers significant advantages over PIN diodes, FETs, and EMRs across a variety of metrics, including lower insertion losses, minimal heat generation, high isolation and high linearity, lifespans of billions of operations, while being significantly lighter and smaller. MEMS also requires minimal external components or thermal management, eliminating heatsinks.
