Development Background and issue of conventional high-power RF switch

　In recent years, the demand for small cells has increased rapidly with the start of 5G (the 5th generation mobile communication technologies) commercial services. In small cell system, the demand for the high-power protective switches (Fig. 1) used in the receiver is also increasing to protect the receive path from high transmit power.
　While the low insertion loss has been a major issue for conventional high-power RF switches. Therefore, the circulators with high cost and low insertion loss have been often used for high-power base stations, especially for Transmit / Receive switching parts that emphasize the loss characteristics. The NJG1817ME4 achieves high power and low insertion loss, so it can be used to protect the receive path (Fig. 1) and also used as a Transmit and Receive switch (Fig. 2).

General description

　The NJG1817ME4 is a general purpose SPDT switch with ultra-low insertion loss and high isolation that supports high power up to 10W. Particularly, the insertion loss is the top level in the industry at high frequency corresponding to 5G (sub6). Moreover, the high-speed switching characteristics are ideal for high-speed communication applications such as 5G.
　It is possible to reduce the size of the high-power switch and the mounting area with a small package of 2.0 mm x 2.0 mm. It also contributes to the miniaturization of communication equipment such as small cells that often use many switches.

Features

■ Achieves both high power and low insertion loss
　The NJG1817ME4 supports high power up to 10W, and achieves ultra-low insertion loss of 0.35 to 0.45dB, especially in the 2G to 6GHz band of 5G (Sub6). Compared with the equivalent power switches of other companies, it is less than half of their insertion loss that is the top level in the industry.

■ High-speed switching characteristics ideal for 5G communication
　The NJG1817ME4 achieves high-speed switching characteristics with a switching time of 350 ns or less, and is ideal for high-speed communication such as 5G and Wi-Fi.

■ Adopts the industry's smallest package
　The NJG1817ME4 is a high-power switch that supports up to 10W, and adopts the industry's smallest size^*2 package of 2.0mmx2.0mm that contributes to reduction of mounting area and miniaturization of communication terminals.

^{*2　 Researched by NJR in April, 2021}

Characteristics

Applications

• 5G(Sub6) small cell system
• Commercial radio communication terminals
• Transmit / Receive switching, antenna switching, PA's output signal switching and other general purpose switching applications

Appearance

Production

• Mass productionstart from July, 2021