Patent · US Expired

Ultra fast pin diode switch

US5212408A · kind A · utility

5Cited by
9References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 6, 1992
Grant dateMay 18, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 6, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH03K17/74
  • WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An electronic switch for selectably switching a high frequency signal between an input and an output. The switch comprises a switching element comprising at least two PIN diodes connected in series-opposed configuration between said input and said output. The switching element has a low impedance when the diodes are forward biased and a substantially higher impedance when the diodes are reverse biased. A bias circuit is connected to the diodes for selectably applying a forward bias current to the diodes for forward-biasing said diodes and a reverse bias voltage to the diodes for reverse-biasing said diodes. A bias current return circuit provides a high-speed return path for the forward bias current from the diodes to a return when said diodes are forward biased. A switch associated with the bias circuit and a resistive load are provided for applying the forward bias current to the load when the reverse bias voltage is applied to the diodes.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.