High reliability RF switch based on phase-change material

US10461253B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Newport Fab, LLC · US

Inventors

• Gregory P. Slovin · Irvine, US
• David J. Howard · Irvine, US
• Jefferson E. Rose · Hawthorne, US
• Michael J. DeBar · Rochester, US
• Nabil El-Hinnawy · Irvine, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 14, 2018
• Grant date: Oct 29, 2019
• Expiry date: Aug 14, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10N70/8828

Abstract

A radio frequency (RF) switch includes a heating element, a nugget, a phase-change material (PCM), and input/output contacts. The nugget comprises thermally conductive and electrically insulating material, and is situated on top of the heating element. The PCM has an active segment approximately situated over the nugget, and passive segments approximately situated under the input/output contacts. The PCM RF switch may include thermally resistive material adjacent to first and second sides of the heating element, and/or adjacent to first and second sides of the nugget. The PCM RF switch may include a heat valve under the heating element.