Apparatus and methods for nanoplasma switches
AssigneeAnalog Devices International Unlimited Company
InventorRomulo Maggay
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for nanoplasma switches are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a nanoplasma switching system includes a nanoplasma radio frequency (RF) switch that receives an RF signal, and a nanoplasma DC switch that receives a DC bias voltage. The nanoplasma DC switch is positioned adjacent to but spaced apart from the nanoplasma RF switch. The nanoplasma DC switch induces a nanoplasma through the nanoplasma RF switch when the DC bias voltage is set to a first voltage level. By implementing the nanoplasma switching system in this manner, DC bias to turn on or off the nanoplasma RF switch can be realized without needing to use passive components such as DC blocking capacitors, choke inductors, or baluns for isolation.
Claims20
A nanoplasma switching system comprising:
- a nanoplasma radio frequency (RF) switch configured to receive an RF signal via an RF signal source;
- and
- a first nanoplasma direct current (DC) switch configured to receive a DC bias voltage via a first DC bias circuit, the first nanoplasma DC switch positioned adjacent to and spaced apart from the nanoplasma RF switch, wherein the first nanoplasma DC switch is operable to induce a nanoplasma through the nanoplasma RF switch when the DC bias voltage is set to a first voltage level.
A circuit board comprising:
- a substrate;
- a nanoplasma radio frequency (RF) switch formed over the substrate, the nanoplasma RF switch configured to receive an RF signal via an RF signal source;
- and
- a first nanoplasma direct current (DC) switch formed over the substrate and positioned adjacent to and spaced apart from the nanoplasma RF switch, the first nanoplasma DC switch configured to receive a DC bias voltage via a first DC bias circuit, wherein the first nanoplasma DC switch is operable to induce a nanoplasma through the nanoplasma RF switch when the DC bias voltage is set to a first voltage level.
A method of radio frequency (RF) switching, the method comprising:
- providing an RF signal via an RF signal source to a nanoplasma RF switch;
- providing a direct current (DC) bias voltage via a first DC bias circuit to a first nanoplasma DC switch that is positioned adjacent to and spaced apart from the nanoplasma RF switch;
- and
- inducing a nanoplasma through the nanoplasma RF switch using the first nanoplasma DC switch by setting the DC bias voltage to a first voltage level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.