Generalized Multiport Waveguide Switches Based on Multiple Short-Circuit Loads in Power-Divider Junctions

• Published in: IEEE transactions on microwave theory and techniques Vol. 59; no. 12; pp. 3347 - 3355
• Main Authors: Ruiz-Cruz, J. A., Fahmi, M. M., Mansour, R. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.12.2011; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Circuits; Flexibility; Mathematical analysis; Microwaves; multiport ridge waveguide divider; Power dividers; Rectangular waveguide switch; Rectangular waveguides; redundancy switch matrix; Ridges; short-circuit loaded ridge waveguide; single-pole N -thru (SPNT); Switches; Switching; three-state switch; Transmission line matrix methods; Waveguide junctions; Waveguide transitions; Waveguides
• DOI: 10.1109/TMTT.2011.2170089
• ISSN: 0018-9480

This paper presents a new concept for multiport waveguide switches based on short-circuit loads integrated in power-divider ridge-waveguide junctions. The switching is achieved by means of actuating short and open circuit loads in the waveguide path of a ridge waveguide, eliminating the need of bulky rotors, which are typically used in conventional waveguide switches. A complete class of single-pole N -throw switches ( N up to 4) is presented based on this concept. Furthermore, the concept is employed to demonstrate highly compact C-, R-, and T-type waveguide switches by integrating different power-divider junctions in a seamless manner. The T-type case involves three states that provide the maximum flexibility for realizing advanced switch matrices for signal routing. A T-type waveguide switch is built and measured for validating the concept. To our knowledge, this paper marks the first time R- and T-type waveguide switches are demonstrated without the need to use a bulky rotary junction.