Design of 0.35–1.5 GHz 16‐input and 8‐output switch matrix with 5 × 5 chessboard structure

Abstract

This Letter presents a 0.35-1.5 GHz 5 × 5 switch matrix chip with a chessboard structure. In the proposed structure, by reassigning the position and switch mode of 25 passive switch grids which almost consume no DC power, the switch matrix can choose and transmit any eight of 16 input signals to the output ports on four directions at the same time. Throughput and the expansion ability of the switch matrix are markedly improved by flexibly choosing a signal path and reusing the switch grids. Besides, wideband gain compensation circuit modules and gain equalisers are used to compensate for insertion loss and gain flatness of the switch matrix. Fabricated by 0.18 μm SiGe BiCMOS technology, the measured highest insertion gain of a signal path is 10 dB. Meanwhile, insertion gains of all signal paths are higher than −6 dB, and isolations of all signal paths are better than 40 dB.