Low Power Solid State Radio Frequency (RF) Switch.

This report describes the investigation of the performance, under high input signal conditions, of the TC-1071 Solid State RF Switch developed under Contract DAAB07-73-C-0087 in 1973 by RCA Corp. This switch is intended for small signal applications, primarily in the 30-80 MHz band, such as receiver band switching in radios such as the ANURC-78. The switch is an N-channel MOS-FET having low insertion loss in a 50-ohm system by virtue of a very low channel resistance when conductive. Testing of this device in the previous contractual effort revealed performance of the device complaint to specifications with the exception of the requirement that the device not be destroyed in the presence of a 38 dBm input when in the non-conductive mode. This contract has been devoted to investigating the failure mode under these conditions. The investigation has revealed the need to redesign the circuit used and to optimize the biases applied so as to minimize current drain and power dissipation under the high input conditions. In addition, heat sinking of the device has been found necessary. Compliance testing of the device with the modified circuit and biases has resulted in meeting all required performance specifications including that of 38 dBm input levels without degradation in performance. To support the testing program, devices were fabricated to the original design. Sample devices were supplied to ECOM as a program output.