New MM5120 DC-18 GHz Switch with Integrated Charge Pump Driver Circuit Reduces Cost and Complexity of High-Power RF Designs

Menlo Micro, the company responsible for re-inventing the electronic switch, has introduced a high-power single-pole/four-throw (SP4T) DC-to-18 GHz switch that provides the industry’s highest performance, reliability and integration for RF switching applications. Based on Menlo Micro’s market-proven Ideal Switch™ technology, the new MM5120 SP4T switch offers ultra-low insertion loss, 25W power handling and the highest linearity in the industry, significantly outperforming conventional solid-state switches and electromechanical relays (EMRs). The MM5120 features a custom-designed built-in high-voltage charge pump, integrated into a miniature 5.2mm x 4.2mm LGA package, eliminating the need for external components and simplifying customer layouts.

The MM5120 switch eliminates the compromises developers face when deciding between electromechanical relays or solid-state switches for RF designs. Offering the best of both options, the MM5120 outperforms EMRs across all application-critical metrics while offering the size, reliability, and speed benefits of a solid-state switch. The highest power density SP4T switch on the market, the MM5120 can handle RF power levels of up to 25W continuous and 150W pulsed with typical insertion losses < 0.6dB at 12GHz.

The MM5120 includes flexible SPI bus and GPIO digital interfaces, allowing easy control from any host processor or test system. The switch’s highly integrated design reduces cost and complexity and simplifies the development of numerous RF systems, including RF filters and front ends, device interface boards for semiconductor test, and beamforming antennas used in advanced radio architectures and radar systems. The high-channel density and low losses also make the MM5120 ideal for ultra-compact switch matrices for RF and microwave test and measurement applications.

The MM5120 also features best-in-class IP3 linearity greater than 95 dBm, enabling significant reductions in distortion which is critical for applications such as beam-steering antennas used in 5G network infrastructure. Like all Menlo Micro Ideal Switch products, the MM5120 helps customers achieve 99 percent reductions in size, weight, cost and power loss while providing more than three billion switching operations with no degradation in performance. No other conventional SP4T switch on the market can match the combined RF performance and lifetime reliability of the MM5120.

“Menlo Micro continues to expand the Ideal Switch portfolio with groundbreaking switching solutions that provide performance and form-factors that are just not possible with traditional technologies,” said Chris Giovanniello, co-founder and SVP marketing, Menlo Micro. “Following on the successful releases of both the MM5130 and MM5600 products, the MM5120 will now deliver even higher levels of integration, enabling developers to drastically reduce system size, weight, power and cost. These metrics are driving the requirements of today’s most demanding wireless communications, defense and avionics, and test and measurement applications. We’re excited to see some of the disruptive system designs that our customers are able to achieve with this new product.”

Availability

Evaluation boards and engineering samples of the MM5120 SP4T switch are now available. Production release is scheduled for early Q1 2022. For pricing information, please contact a Menlo Micro sales representative. Connect with Menlo Micro’s global network of manufacturers, sales representatives and channel partners at menlomicro.com/contact-us. Learn more about Menlo Micro, Ideal Switch technology and the new MM5120 RF switch at menlomicro.com.

About Menlo Micro

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Menlo Micro has created an entirely new category of electronic switches with its Ideal Switch technology. The Ideal Switch eliminates compromises and tradeoffs by combining the benefits of electromechanical and solid-state switches into the best of both worlds. Menlo is bringing more than 99 percent reductions in size, weight, power, and cost to dozens of industries such as medical, aerospace and defense, telecommunications, consumer electronics, industrial IoT, and test and measurement. For more information, visit www.menlomicro.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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Menlo Micro continues to expand the Ideal Switch portfolio with groundbreaking switching solutions that provide performance and form-factors that are just not possible with traditional technologies.