Planar active component microwave switch matrix and air bridge for use

Abstract

A microwave planar switch matrix for selectively connecting various ones of M inputs to N outputs. The switch matrix includes a semi-insulative substrate on one side of which are conductors arranged in rows and columns, the interconnection of the rows and columns forming the intersections of the matrix, a plurality M.multidot.N of two-way active power dividers arranged in the rows near each intersection, respectively, and a plurality M.multidot.N of two-way power combiners arranged in the columns near the intersections, respectively, and M.multidot.N switches selectively connecting respectively one output of the power dividers to one input of the power combiners. Because the power dividers and power combiners utilize active components, net power gain through the matrix is possible. Air bridges separate the row and column conductors at the intersections. At each intersection is a break at one of the row and column conductors, the break being of length at least W where W is the width of the row and column conductors. The other of the conductors has a reduced width portion less than W and of length at least W connected to the width W portions of the conductor by tapered portions on either side of the reduced width. A conductive ribbon bonded between the conductor portions which are broken near the ends thereof forming the gap passes over the narrow width conductor and is of substantially the same narrow width as the narrowed portion of the other conductor.